Research Interests at Asia Institute
Research interests of staff and postgraduate students at Asia Institute are broad, spanning a wide range disciplines as well the various language and area specialisations. The following general areas of research expertise are representative of the issues that concern staff across the various programs in the Institute. Click on these topics to read more about them or explore the various program, project and staff pages for further details about our research activities.
Individual Academic Staff and Research Student pages list each person's specific areas of interest.
The Current Projects and Current Grants pages list large research projects that are currently being undertaken Asia Institute staff.
A number of Research and Interest groups at the University focus on areas of Asia, including:
Applied Linguistics and Linguistics
Many staff members at Asia Institute have a strong interest in Applied Linguistics, including such areas as second language education, translation, computer assisted language learning (CALL), curriculum design, bilingualism and translation. The Japanese program is particularly strong in this area and staff interested in Japanese Applied Linguistics include Mariko Kubota, Sayuki Machida, Shigeko Nariyama, Sachiyo Sekiguchi, Atsushi Takagi and Etsuko Toyoda. Staff in other areas who also have an interest in various aspects of Applied Linguistics include Abdul-Samad Abdullah, Diane Manwaring, Du Liping, Gao Jia and Michael Ewing. The study of linguistics includes dialectology, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Staff with interests in this area are Sander Adelaar, David Holm, Yongxian Luo, Sachiko Noguchi, Jun Ohashi, and Yunji Wu.
Endangered Languages
The Asia Pacific region hosts an immense variety of languages and dialects, many of which are losing prominence in the face of increasing globalization. The study of these languages is crucial to create a record for these endangered groups. This research also provides an opportunity for scholarly analysis of a variety of issues - political alliances, ethnic identity and historical contact - that are embedded in the language. Staff with interests in this area are David Holm, Yongxian Luo, Sander Adelaar, and Michael Ewing.
Gender
Gender is a key approach to the understanding of Asian cultures and society. A number of Asia Institute staff have made important contributions to the study of differences and meanings of gender roles in Indonesia, China, Japan and Thailand. Gender is studied through literature, popular culture, social institutions, medical systems, workplace practices and language. Staff with interests in this area are Arief Budiman, Adrian Gully, Anne Mclaren, Jacqueline Siapno, Carolyn Stevens, Andrea Whittaker.
Health Systems
The study of traditional and modern health systems in Asia is a particular strength in Asia Institute, with publications on traditional Chinese medicine, maternal and child health care in Japan and abortion policy in Thailand as the cornerstones of this emerging area. Staff with interests in this area are Liping Du, Carolyn Stevens and Andrea Whittaker.
Historical Studies
The history of Asian cultures and societies is the foundation for understanding any contemporary phenomenon in Asia. Staff members in Asia Institute specialize in Japanese art and architectural history, Australia-Japan relations, Modern Japanese History, and the social, cultural and legal history of China. Staff who have interests in this area are Bill Coaldrake, Adrian Gully, David Holm, Lewis Mayo, and Charles Schencking.
Islam
Several academics across Asia Institute are currrently researching issues involving modern Islamic thought as well as various dimensions of Muslim societies. Their research relates to contemporary Islamic thought, philosophy, literature and gender. These academics include Abdul-Samad Abdullah, Adrian Gully, Muhammad Kamal, Abdullah Saeed, and Jacqueline Siapno.
Political Analysis
Many Asia Institute staff research interests centre on the analysis of current and historical political affairs. Development, economic policy, diplomacy, postcolonialism and nation-building are all examined under this rubric. International relations between Asian countries and Australia are of particular interest to many Asia Institute scholars and their postgraduate students. Particular attention is given to ethnic and religious tensions in SE Asia. Staff with interests in this area are Arief Budiman, Ariel Heryanto, Michael Leigh, Abdullah Saeed, Jacqueline Siapno, and Justin Wejak.
Popular Culture
Asian popular culture is one of the most vibrant production and consumer industries in the world. Popular culture provides a window into many aspects of Asia: art and aesthetics, theatre, literature, gender roles, economic activity and consumerism, globalization and national identity. Staff with interests in this area are Michael Ewing, David Holm, Ariel Heryanto, Anne Mclaren, Carolyn Stevens and Shaoming Zhou.
Social Geography
Social Geography is a multidisciplinary field which combines Human Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Ecology, and Cultural Studies. The examination of minority groups and demographic movement (migration) in Asia is an area of strength in Asia Institute. Staff with interests in this area are David Holm, Gao Jia, Michael Leigh, and Carolyn Stevens
Taiwan
Taiwan's relationship to China - in the past and for the future - is one that commands attention from not only scholars but also those in government and the business world. Staff who have interests in this area are Sander Adelaar, David Holm, Diane Manwaring, and Justin Tighe.