Dr. Constantinos Yiallourides has been appointed the 2026 Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of International Studies.
Constantinos is an internationally successful researcher, as well as diplomatic and policy advisor, in legal and economic concerns surrounding energy governance in Asia and Europe. He is Deputy Director of the Macquarie University Centre for Environmental Law and holds a permanent position in the School of Law at Macquarie University, Sydney.
In his time as Visiting Professor, Constantinos’ research will explore the environmental regulation of decarbonisation efforts and technologies between Australia and South Korea. His work will investigate how Australia and South Korea can work together to support the uptake of technologies that advance just energy transitions, including through aligning legal and policy frameworks to support broader region-wide decarbonisation efforts. He explains:
“This research reflects the way the Australia–South Korea partnership is evolving: from a long-standing collaboration in energy trade to a forward-looking green growth partnership and shared leadership.”
“I am truly honoured to be appointed to this position at a time when Australia–South Korea cooperation on climate, energy security, and green growth is more vital than ever,” Constantinos comments. “Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of working with a number of South Korean institutions, all deeply engaged in forward thinking responses to those very challenges. There is strong consensus across the board that these are areas of shared strategic importance to both countries, and I hope my time in Seoul can contribute meaningfully to policy discussions on both sides.”
As part of his appointment, Constantinos will also teach a course within SNU’s Graduate School of International Studies on Australia’s transition to secure, low-carbon energy. Constantinos will engage students on “the difficult policy trade-offs that Australia, like many countries across the world, must navigate in balancing urgent decarbonisation with energy security and long-term sustainability.” Students will further explore “how law can drive innovation, fairness, and a just energy transition; the role of energy in foreign policy and conflict resolution; and how energy cooperation can serve as a platform for peacebuilding and regional stability.”
Constantinos sees the Visiting Professorship as an opportunity to build enduring academic and diplomatic relationships: “I look forward to engaging in discussions and working closely with students and colleagues across disciplines at SNU and beyond, to deepen partnerships with our friends and collaborators in South Korea, and to support Australia’s profile as a trusted, science-driven partner in regional sustainability and global cooperation on shared challenges.”
“As someone whose work sits at the intersection of law, policy, and diplomacy,” he notes, “I see Australian Studies not only as a field of academic pursuit, but as a way of engaging with the world, a way to showcase Australia’s diversity and its commitment to the rule of law. And in doing so, to foster forward-looking collaborations on issues that matter to both our region and the world at large. I am grateful to have this opportunity.”
The Visiting Professor of Australian Studies position at Seoul National University is a scheme that aims to build bilateral co-operation between Australia and South Korea through research and teaching in Australian Studies. The position is supported by SNU’s Graduate School of International Studies and the Australia-Korea Foundation, DFAT. Funding for the position is supported by Woodside Energy. The selection process is managed by the International Australian Studies Association.
For further information on this appointment or the position, please contact InASA Secretary Dashiell Moore (dashiell.moore@sydney.edu.au).
You must be logged in to post a comment.