About Us

Established with support from the Academy of Korean Studies, the Korea Research & Engagement Centre of Western Australia is a hub for Korean Studies teaching and research in the Perth metropolitan area and Western Australia, aiming to train future scholars in Korean Studies through a strong focus on facilitating postgraduate and postdoctoral research opportunities, as well as research-led teaching.

In addition, the Centre seeks to foster collaboration among researchers engaged in Korea-related research in West Australian higher education institutions, and connect them with key stakeholders in the WA business community, state government and non-profit organisations with Australia-Korea interests.

We are located at the Curtin University campus in Bentley, Perth, and welcome industry engagement contacts for collaborative projects.

Current Projects

The Centre focuses on three core research themes, which examine Korean society, politics and culture, as well as Australia-Korea relations with a specific interest in examining links between Western Australia and the Republic of Korea.

Each theme makes up a strategic research cluster helmed by a leading scholar, and includes postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows from Curtin and other universities in WA, building on existing and established research excellence in these areas, with hopes of increasing high quality Korea-related research in the State.

We also have strong in researching and supporting Korean language education in Western Australia, and are currently conducting a research project on language policies in WA with the view of supporting the development of future policies in this area.

The Centre also promotes the enhancing of Australia-Korea bilateral ties, and supports a number of collaboration projects funded by the DFAT's New Colombo Plan (NCP) and Australia Korea Foundation. You can find details of these programs on our teaching and research collaborations page.

Centre Activities

The KRC Korean Studies in Western Australia Seminar Series: This seminar series focuses specifically on providing opportunities for scholars and those involved in creative who work on Korean Studies or have strong collaborations with Korea, to network and showcase their work. The seminars will be held both face to face and online. These research network talks will be held four times a year, and will rotate on different campuses
Korea Research Collaboratory: Targeted collaborations between leading scholars to work on specific thematic areas under the Centre’s key themes. Each one of the Collaboratories will result in a collaborative publication, and research exchanges with leading scholars around Australia and the immediate region.
The Emerging Experts in Korean Studies program: A program that involves scholarship and mentoring to encourage the fostering of new and emerging Koreanists in WA and beyond to undertake Master of Research, Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy studies in Korean Studies. The program also includes MPhil/MRes and PhD scholarships, as well as Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Early Career Training Workshops, Research Fellowships, and Postgraduate and Fieldwork bursaries.
Targeted education and training: This undertaking will include the development of a suite of short course offerings in a broad range of topics designed to attract a broader student base outside the traditional student body.
Industry and key stakeholder engagement in Korea-related research, consultancy and training: A research and training programs (including microcredential courses) that will leverage joint-funded grants, consultancy, and other opportunities. We organise joint events with external key stakeholders, such as the Australia Korea Business Council and Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

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