Better understanding the diverse experiences of Asian societies and people

Our research addresses the everyday lived experiences of Asian people and societies, locally and globally. We look at global dynamics to understand how the Asian region is securing its position in the world and to better consider what role multicultural Australia will play in what has been called the ‘Asian 21st century’.

Our research areas

Our transdisciplinary research draws on the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines. We perform comparative and cross-cultural work across two key research streams:

Asian media, culture and language

We look at how Asia is represented and represents itself across the art, media and cultural industries. With a digital focus, we evaluate the ways information, ideas and identities circulate online. Digital media, popular culture and language are key components of this research.

Asian politics and society

This stream focuses on social organisation, regulation and governmentality in Asian societies. It seeks to understand how ordinary people live, work and take leisure both within Asia and as part of the diaspora. To achieve this, we look at geopolitics and public diplomacy, international relations and domestic politics in Asia.

Understand the world's most populous continent

Study at PhD at Deakin and help create new knowledge of the complex and diverse populations of the Asian continent.

Learn more about studying with us

Our researchers

Led by our group convenors, our interdisciplinary team brings decades of combined expertise.

Dr Jian Xu's research explores Chinese digital media and communication and celebrity studies with critical approaches. He has widely published on China's digital activism, internet governance, digital youth cultures, cultural governance and celebrity politics.

Associate Professor Sue Chen’s research examines the movement of texts between cultures and the politics of knowledge dissemination via the written word. She has published widely on children’s literature and media in Sinophone and Anglophone contexts.

Research team

Dr Gilbert Caluya, Lecturer, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Associate Professor Lennon Chang, Associate Professor, Cyber Risk and Policy

Dr Jade Guan, Senior Lecturer in International Politics and Strategy

Dr Christine Horn, Associate Research Fellow

Dr Vikrant Kishore, Honorary Fellow

Dr Kim Lam, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr Yanying Lu, Teaching Scholar, Chinese

Dr Jodi McAlister, Senior Lecturer, Writing and Literature

Dr Thaera O'Brien, Associate Lecturer in Communication

Dr Fengqi Qian, Lecturer in Chinese

Dr Melathi Saldin, Lecturer in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies

Dr Gillian Tan, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology

Associate Professor Anthony Ware, Associate Professor, International and Community Development

Dr Vicki Ware, Senior Lecturer, International and Community Development

Dr Alistair Welsh, Senior Lecturer in Indonesian

Dr Xinyu Zhao, Research Fellow, Digital Childhoods

About the centre

About the centre

Hear from researchers in the Asian Media Culture and Societies group on their transdisciplinary studies in Asian language, linguistics, politics, popular culture, cultural heritage and more.

Featured projects

Our range of local and international partners across government, community and industry, allow us to deliver research with impact. We lead bold initiatives that seek solutions beyond traditional research and organisational boundaries.

Regulating AI and algorithms in the Asia Pacific

Regulating AI and algorithms in the Asia Pacific

This project provides an overview of the policy landscape governing AI and algorithms in the Asia Pacific region and engages in dialogue with, and contributes to, regulatory practices in the West. It explores the ethical, legal and social issues, concerns and debates on AI and algorithms.

Everyday digital experiences of Australian families from migrant backgrounds

Everyday digital experiences of Australian families from migrant backgrounds

This research investigates how and why Australian families from migrant backgrounds engage with digital devices and platforms in different spheres of everyday life. It will generate new knowledge about migrant children’s digital needs and literacies and inform services and policies that better support and empower migrant communities in the digital age.

Our partners

We engage with a range of local and international partners, including Asia-focused research institutes, thinktanks, arts and culture sectors, Asian diaspora communities and Asian-focused universities.

  • Tsinghua University, Wuhan University, Hong Kong Baptist University, The City University of Hong Kong (China)
  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Amity University, DME Media School (India)
  • University of Indonesia (Indonesia)
  • Osaka City University (Japan)
  • Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia (Malaysia)
  • National University of Singapore (Singapore)
  • Seoul National University (South Korea)
  • Van Lang University (Vietnam)
  • Kings College London (UK)
  • CathayPlay (Chinese independent film streaming platform)
  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
  • Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival

Our publications

Take an in-depth look at our latest research, available in a variety of formats and publications. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.

Featured publications:

Contact us

Stay in touch with us to hear about partnership opportunities, working with us, research news, and more about the Asian Media, Culture and Society group.

Email Dr Jian Xu
Email Associate Professor Sue Chen

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