South Asia Studies

Seizing the moment: The “Job-ready Graduates Package” as an opportunity to increase language enrolments at Australian universities

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Earlier this month a fresh round of commentary kicked off regarding the failure of the long-term cultural and public policy project of fostering the sustained study of Asian languages in Australia. The latest expression of concern was sparked by reports that Australian universities, including La Trobe, Murdoch and Swinburne, were set to close some or […]

South Asia Studies

From Asian Engagement to the New ‘Cold War’: Asian Studies in Crisis

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The recent decision by La Trobe and Murdoch Universities to discontinue the study of Hindi and Indonesia underlines the challenges that confront those teaching and researching Asia related themes. Further underlining the perception that Asian studies is in crisis are government  decisions  to  scrutinise  research collaboration with foreign – especially Chinese – universities, and the […]

South Asia Studies

In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Mark McLelland (1966–2020)

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In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Mark McLelland (1966–2020) Sociologist and cultural historian of Japan, Mark McLelland, passed away on 18 November 2020 in Wollongong, New South Wales. Professor McLelland was well-known for his groundbreaking and influential work across a range of fields, including the cultural history of sexualities in Japan, the global history of the internet, […]