Menzies Centre for Australian Studies

The objective of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies is to promote the study of Australia in British and European universities, as well as teaching on Australia at undergraduate and graduate levels in the History and English departments at King’s College London. There are currently three academic staff members: Professor Carl Bridge and Dr Frank Bongiorno, who teach and research in Australian history; and Dr Ian Henderson who works in the fields of Australian literature and film. All three staff members have extensive teaching, research and supervisory experience in the British and Australian university systems. Its Menzies Centre staff act as external examiners and administer a number of schemes for scholarly exchange between Britain and Australia. The Centre is an Australian cultural base in London, providing a highly regarded forum for the discussion of Australian issues. Its conferences, seminars and briefings attract a diverse audience and help to produce a more comprehensive, detailed and balanced perception of Australian politics, economics, life and culture than is popularly available. Staff are closely involved with the British Australian Studies Association and the European Association for Studies on Australia; frequently lecture throughout Europe, and offer informed advice to academics, the media, business and government on matters Australian. The Centre engages in partnerships with a wide range of cultural institutions and, in cooperation with the British Museum and the National Museum of Australia, has recently been the recipient of an Arts and Humanities Research Coucil collaborative doctoral award.

As a research student you will complete the Introduction to Australian Studies: Approaches & Methods in Australian Studies module in the first semester. You will be encouraged to attend the research seminars in Australian Studies, organised by Menzies Centre. These usually take place on Wednesdays at 17.15 during the teaching weeks of the academic year. These seminars are focused on the Centre's research objectives and include speakers from Australia, the UK and Europe. Research students will also be invited to speak in this forum. They are also encouraged to participate fully in seminars, workshops, courses and training sessions offered elsewhere in the College such as in the Graduate School and the School of Arts and Humanities.

You will have access to all the facilities provided by the School of Arts & Humanities - desk in a shared space, PC with internet connection. In addition the Menzies Centre has a reference and a DVD collection. You are also entitled to use the graduate facilities available at the Maughan Library.

AHRC; Graduate School and School of Arts & Humanities studentships and bursaries; self-funded.