Academy of the Humanities awarded grant to support Australia-China dialogue & strengthen Australia’s China knowledge

The Australian Academy of the Humanities has been awarded $128,500 in the 2025–26 National Foundation for Australia–China Relations Grant Round, supporting new work to enable dialogue between Australian and Chinese scholars and strengthen Australia’s China knowledge capability across the education ecosystem.

The grant comes at a critical time, as the Australian Government undertakes an inquiry into Australia’s Asia literacy and the nation’s long-term capacity to understand and engage with the region. The Academy’s project will contribute timely evidence and insight into comparative approaches to area studies, examining new developments in Australian Studies in China and China Studies in Australia (and area studies generally) — fields with decades-long scholarly histories in both countries.

Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA FASSA, President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, said the grant recognises the importance of deep, sustained China knowledge as a national capability:

“At a time when Australia is examining the state of its Asia literacy, this grant is an important investment in understanding how China knowledge is developed, valued and sustained across education systems. Strengthening Australia’s China knowledge capability requires an ecosystem approach — spanning universities, research, policy and public engagement — and this grant will focus on the role of area studies in shaping that capability in both Australia and China. We commend the National Foundation of Australia-China Relations for recognising the significance and potential of this program of work.”

The project will explore how Australia and China approach area studies as long-term scholarly and national investments, including what Australia can learn from China’s approach to Australian Studies, as well as sharing Australia’s expertise and excellence in these fields.

Program convenor Emeritus Professor Louise Edwards FAHA FASSA, a leading scholar of Chinese history and area studies, said comparative perspectives are essential to rebuilding Australia’s Asia and China capability:

“Area studies is treated as a tier-one discipline in China, underpinning serious engagement with the world. There is much Australia can learn from the Chinese approach to Australian Studies — particularly its long-term institutional commitment, interdisciplinary depth and integration of language and cultural expertise. Comparative analysis helps ensure Australia’s China Studies remain rigorous, relevant and future-focused.”

What is area studies?

Click here to download the report.

Area studies is an interdisciplinary field that combines language proficiency, history, politics, culture, economics and society to develop deep, place-based expertise about specific regions and countries. It enables nuanced understanding that goes beyond surface-level engagement.

Graduates of area studies programs are crucial to Australia’s international diplomatic, defence and economic programs, contributing essential expertise across government, national security, trade, education, media and industry. The Academy’s 2023 Report into Australia’s China Knowledge Capability found that Australia is losing vital expertise in China Studies, raising serious concerns about the nation’s sovereign capacity to understand and engage effectively with China.

 

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