Since its founding in 1988, the National Association of Australian Studies in China has been committed to promote Australian Studies and strengthen the mutual understanding between Australia and China. One of its major functions is to organize biennial international conferences of Australian Studies in China. Under the leadership of the National Association of Australian Studies in China, and with the support of the Australia-China Council (ACC) and the Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC), the 15th international conference of Australian Studies in China is scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 July 2016 at Peking University, where it will be hosted by Australian Studies Centre at Peking University. Scholars, experts, and those who are concerned with Australian Studies are all invited to attend.
The theme of the conference in 2016 is Australia in the World: Past, Present and Future. It aims to explore the development of Australia as an important country in the Asia-Pacific region, including its natural environment, history, indigenous cultures, society, culture, national identity, politics, economy, trade, international relations, education, languages, literature, arts, journalism, film and television, and New media, as well as Australia’s position and role in the development of global civilization, from the dual perspectives of the historical evolution of human civilizations and the on-going globalization in the present world. Scholars, experts, and those concerned with Australian Studies are expected to contribute to the conference by engaging in critical discussion, exchanging information, sharing academic resources, extending the ways and methods of academic exchange and cooperation in Australian Studies. It is believed that the promotion of Australian Studies will strengthen the strategic partnership and mutual development of China and Australia and further promote the friendship between Chinese and Australian peoples.
The major topics of the conference are as follows:
- Natural environment and ecology in Australia
- Australian history and indigenous culture
- Australian economy and trade
- Australia’s politics and international relations
- Australian tertiary education
- Australian languages, literature, and arts
- Australian public health and public crisis management
- Australian journalism, film and television and new media
- Australia’s position and role in the Asia-pacific region
- The opportunities and challenges for China and Australia after the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA)
- Other relevant topics
The working languages of the conference are English and Chinese. Speakers who intend to present their paper in Chinese are expected to provide an English abstract of their paper.
Call for papers
Those who are interested to attend the conference should complete the application form in full (in PDF or Word format) including their personal information and the title and the abstract (not more than 400 words) of the paper, and send it to: pkuasc@pku.edu.cn.
Inquiries may be directed to: Dr Amanda Barry, Research Coordinator, PKU-ASC: abarry@fasic.org.au
The application deadline for international applicants is 31 December, 2015. The letter of acceptance will be issued to the accepted applicants before 1 February, 2016.
Selected papers presented at the conference will be published by Peking University Press in 2017.