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Sociologist Vivian Shaw to deliver keynote address at this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Luncheon

Asian Cultural Ambassador Award recognition takes place on April 30

Sociologist Vivian Shaw will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Luncheon; the annual luncheon is open to all. (Photo provided V. Shaw)

KINGSTON, R.I. – April 14, 2026 – Vivian Shaw, an assistant professor of sociology at Loyola University Maryland, will deliver this year’s keynote address at the University of Rhode Island’s fourth annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Luncheon on Thursday, April 30, 12-2 p.m., in the Memorial Union Ballroom on the Kingston campus.

Shaw’s research explores how disasters, pandemics, and other environmental threats shape social, cultural, and political responses to inequality. She is the lead researcher and co-PI for the AAPI COVID-19 Project, a multi-method investigation into the impacts of the pandemic on the lives of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Student performances are a highlight of the annual program. (URI Photos / Catherine Scott)

She is currently writing a book on anti-racist social movements in Japan in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The annual luncheon honors student leaders in URI’s Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. The student Cultural Ambassador Awards are provided through the sponsorship of longtime engineering faculty member Professor Qing (Ken) Yang, the first person from the Chinese mainland to join the faculty at URI.

Each year’s URI Asian Cultural Ambassadors are recognized at the luncheon; shown, 2025 winners Megumi Sinniah, Kyanna Lin, Sara Cho and Sudishma Acharya with Ken Yang, Jean Nsabumuremyi and Markeisha Miner.

“As Asian Americans, we should take pride in our cultural heritage and strive to further enhance this esteemed institution in the years to come,” Yang says.

To submit a nomination for this year’s student award program, visit the nomination page.

The annual program celebrates the history, culture, traditions and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and includes performances and a lunch of Asian delicacies. Attire representing Asian and Pacific Islander cultures is welcome.

The program is hosted by URI’s Multicultural Student Services Center with Dining Services and the Office of International Students and Scholars. Register for the event by April 26. The program is open to all.

For more information on events happening at the Multicultural Student Services Center, visit the center’s website, urinvolved.uri.edu, or follow @uri_mssc. For additional questions, contact Jean Nsabumuremyi at jnsabumuremyi@uri.edu, 401-874-5829.