Menzies Centre for Australian Studies

Frank Bongiorno
Menzies Centre for Australian Studies MPhil/PhD
I’m a staff member in the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies and the History Department at King’s. The Centre itself was originally established by the Australian Government in 1982 and we’ve been in King’s College since 1999. We’re the only Australian Studies Centre in the United Kingdom.



I teach the MA modules ‘Indigenous, European and Australian: Aboriginal Politics and History’ and ‘Australian Politics: An Historical Approach’. These examine the themes of colonialism, identity and power relations in the context of a particular settler society, exploring Australia’s development as part of a global empire and then as a post-imperial nation that is nevertheless constantly pressed to come to terms with its colonial origins. My own research has been focused on various aspects of Australian political, labour and cultural history, especially from the 1880s to the present, so I treat my MA teaching as a great opportunity to pool ideas in a shared enterprise.



Students who work with us gain the benefit of access to our rich programme of seminars, symposia and briefings on various aspects of Australian history, culture and society, often presented by visiting academics from Australia. The Centre is used as a base by such academics while they are in London, and they contribute something valuable to its intellectual vitality. I feel fortunate to be a part of a wonderful College and yet also connected in these ways with my country of origin and main historical interest.