Matthew Schauer

Prof. Schauer teaches classes in British, European, and World History. His research focuses on the exchange of imperial knowledge across colonial boundaries in Southeast Asia during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His book project, tentatively titled: Shaping Imperial Subjects: Social Engineering, Exchange, and Ethnology in British Malaya examines how administrators in British Malaya used amateur ethnological knowledge and policy models from adjacent colonies to inform their imperial educational policies. These educational systems were used in Malaya as part of larger programs of social engineering that the British hoped would help the colony achieve increased economic growth and political stability. His project covers topics such as: colonial museums, Western domestic education for Malay girls, imperial ideas concerning public health and nutrition, linguistic training, agricultural education, and conceptions of "native heritage" in handiworks education.

Beyond his book project, he is working on a project examining American natural specimen collectors/animal trappers in Southeast Asia and the marketing of popular American and British explorers in the early 20th century such as Roy Chapman Andrews, Carveth Wells, and Martin and Osa Johnson. 

Research Interests:

Imperialism, Southeast Asia, England, British History, British Empire, History of Museums, History of Anthropology, History of Exploration and Travel, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines

Prof. Schauer received the Regents' Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023.