Our people

Director's welcome

Welcome to the Asia Institute, the University of Melbourne’s key centre for studies in Asian societies, languages and cultures.

The Institute is committed to deepening understanding of Asia and the Islamic world as well as Australia’s multiple connections to these regions.

Our teaching programs offer students the opportunity to study languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean and the cultures and societies in which these languages are spoken.

They also offer an opportunity for students to study Asia in a global and comparative context, by exploring how the region is being shaped by global processes and facing common challenges in distinctive ways.

Our research tackles issues of pressing political, social and cultural importance such as democracy, human rights, cultural change, migration, diaspora, gender relations, security, religion, nationalism, language, translation, and corruption—all topics that also feature in our teaching program.

We have a growing interest in the experiences of Asian Australians—particularly, with regards to representation, racism, and social inclusion—and how Asian Australians respond to such challenges.

Our engagement activities include regular seminars and workshops, webinars, media contributions, community-facing events, publication of Melbourne Asia Review, and the Ear to Asia podcast.

We believe that a nuanced appreciation of Asia’s complexities is vital in our interconnected world and given Australia’s myriad connections to the region. We also believe that diversity, inclusion, and openness to a range of ideas can aid mutual understanding, problem-solving, and well-being.

Whether you are a prospective student, a researcher, or a community member, I encourage you to explore how the Asia Institute can enrich your intellectual journey and broaden your global perspective.

Thank you for your interest in our work. I look forward to the possibilities that our shared curiosity and collaboration can bring.

Warm regards

Andrew Rosser