Australian Studies Center

      The Australian Studies Center of Xihua University, established in 2007, is an academic research institution that initiates and conducts academic studies in aspects of Australia cultural and literature under the leadership of Xihua University and School of Foreign Languages and Cultures. The center aims to further the advancement of Australian studies in west China, to promote academic exchange and cooperation between Chinese and Australian researchers and institutions, and to contribute to the friendship and mutual understandings between China and Australia.
       Members of the center include teachers and post-graduates from School of Foreign Languages and Cultures of Xihua University, and researchers from other institutes with common interests in Australian studies. Our present research focuses on Australian women writers and their works with Australian Aboriginal literature, Australian poetry and drama included. New fields, such as Australia-China relations, Australian history, cultures, society, economics and education, are to be developed. The center also hosts relevant international and domestic conferences and provides information and consultation services.
       Great achievements have been made since the establishment of the center. Since 2007, nine members of the center have been granted a total sum of AUD 55,000 by Australia-China Council as visiting academics to Australia. Up to now a national philosophy and social science fund planning project of Studies of the History of Australian Women Writers has been completed with a book published by the China Social Science Press as a result. Two Sichuan provincial projects have also been completed. They are: Research on the Australian Writer Helen Garner and Research on the subjects of the Australian Writer Elizabeth Jolley’s Works. Another two provincial social science projects are under way: Research on the Gothic Literature in the Australian Colonial Period and Research on the Australian Woman Life Writing after World War II. There are another six research projects funded by Xihua University with a total amount of 9,000 RMB.
        In order to support our research, a specific column for Australian studies was set up in the Xihua University Journal (social science edition) in 2008 and 12 relevant articles are published every year. Experts and scholars at home and abroad have contributed their papers, among whom are David Carter, Director of the Australia-China Council in charge of the Australian studies in China, Australian scholar Glen Phillips, Australian writer Chester Eagle and senior domestic scholars in this field: Professor Du Xuezeng, Chen Hong, Liang Zhongxian, Zhu Xiaoying, Zhang Qiusheng, and Fang Hong, etc. In the past four years, more than 40 journal articles written by the center members have been published, including 28 articles published in Xihua University Journal and the rest respectively published in the Journal of Yangtze Normal University, the Journal of Southwest University of Nationalities (social science edition), Journal of Foreign Languages, magazines like Writers, Times Literature, Anhui Literature Review, Shanhua, Guizhou Social Science, World Nationalities, etc.
        The optional course of Australian literature was opened in 2009 with the support of School of Foreign Languages and Cultures. In this course, students can study the works of Australian women writers, see films adapted from literary works, exchange learning experiences with scholars at home and abroad via email and write relevant thesis at the end of the term.
        Ever since the Center was established, members have attended and delivered speeches at the 10th, 11th and 12th International Australian Studies Conference, three other domestic Australian studies conferences, and the eighth China International Academic Seminar of Cross Cultural Communication. The 13th International Australian Studies Conference has been held in Xihua University in July 2012. Scholars from across Australia and China attended the conference, exchanging research experience and academic viewpoints.
        It has been approved to be a provincial key research center by Sichuan Provincial Government in 2012; therefore, the studies will expand from literature and culture to broader fields, including economy, trade, tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, mining industry, and law & policy, etc. Based on research results in a variety of fields, our Australian studies center will serve as a “think tank” to provide policy advice to the local government and information and consultation for Chinese corporate and institutions which plans to do business in Australia, promoting bilateral relations between Sichuan province and Australia in the strategic priority areas of economics, trade, society, culture, education and science. Our center aims to not only advance Australian studies and education in China, but also contribute to the multi-level cooperation between China and Australia.