About

The Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub

The Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub was established in 2018 with funding from the prestigious Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Korean Studies Promotion Service (KSPS) Core University Grant. The Research Hub is part of the 2017-2022 project: ‘Creating a Nexus at Monash for a Stronger Korean Studies in Melbourne and the Metropolitan Region,' which aims to increase the capacity and profile of Korean Studies at Monash and in the wider Melbourne region by promoting Korea-related research, education and engagement.

The Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub focuses on promoting Korea-related academic and cultural events at Monash University and with partner universities. We also support vital research on important Korea-related topics at Monash University.

Korean Studies at Monash
Korean was identified as one of the 4 key Asian languages in the 1987 Australian Government’s National Policy on Languages alongside Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. Korean Studies was first started at Monash University by Dr Adrian Buzo and further developed in 1991 by Dr In-jung Cho and Dr Young-a Cho, who created the current Korean language program. The Korean Studies program further expanded between 2017 and 2025 with the arrival of Dr Andrew David Jackson, Dr Josie Sohn, Dr Lucien Brown, Dr Daniel Pieper, Dr Hyein Cho, Dr Jessica Huynh and Dr Jooyeul Ryu. Korean Studies units now have in excess of 900 students enrolments annually.

Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) aims to

  • Promote greater critical understanding of the diversity of the Korean cultures of the Peninsula and diaspora
  • Support Korea-related research and research events
  • Nurture and help develop Korean language and cultural education
  • Foster cooperation between Korean Studies researchers globally
  • Encourage greater interaction between Korean Studies and the wider community in Melbourne and beyond
  • Support and enrich student life through engagement activities, outreach & exchange programs
  • Encourage HDR (PhD/MA) programmes and students in Korean studies to foster the next generation of Korean studies researchers and scholars.

View our MUKSRH Pamphlet here

MUKSRH LOGO

Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub AKS Core Grant 2.0 (2023-2028)

Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) is proud to announce the receipt of a second Core University Program for Korean Studies award worth AUS$1.25 million over five years (2023-2028). This prestigious grant, which commenced on June 1, 2023 is offered by the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) Korean Studies Promotion Service (KSPS) attached to the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Education. This second award follows on from the first successful five-year Core project (2017-2022) and is entitled “Monash Korean Studies Beyond Borders: Creating a Global Hub for a New and Diverse Korean Studies.” (Short title: AKS Core 2.0). Like its predecessor, this is a Korean Studies programme development project that supports engagement, research and education. Our aim is to

  • expand the activities of the Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) through local and international engagement and act as a crucial regional Hub for Korean studies education and research activities.
  • prepare graduate students for careers in an ever-expanding global Korean Studies
  • improve our diverse cohort’s experience by creating employment roles in our programs, engaging them in their learning, updating teaching materials to match their needs and preparing them for postgraduate work life.

Drive research excellence in the field of Korean studies.

Between 2023 and 2028, MUKSRH will focus on the following areas

Education/student support

MUKSRH will

  • establish support for 2 PhD and 2 MA Korean studies students
  • create 5 annual promotion campaigns to attract promising Korean Studies students to graduate studies;
  • support 5 indigenous Korean Studies students
  • establish a Korean language textbook update program to future-proof our education program
  • host 1 Korea employment session with guidance from industry professionals
  • creation of 20 Korean Studies student teaching assistants and 1 fully-funded Korean company internship position

Local community and international partner engagement

MUKSRH will host

  • 5 annual Beyond Borders Korea Week cultural events
  • 3 Korean Studies Biennial meetings targeted at boosting local research collaboration
  • 5 annual Korean Speech contests aimed at encouraging Korean language proficiency
  • 1 Korean author and translator reading evening
  • 5 MUKSRH Beyond Borders Short Courses: Introducing Korea and Korean to the world aimed at international and local engagement

MUKSRH will also create and maintain 1 Hub Coordinator administrative assistant position to organize the numerous international and domestic activities of MUKSRH

Research 

MUKSRH will

  • create 3 research fellow positions over a 5-year period devoted to the development of high-level Korean Studies research outputs
  • publish 5 Korean Studies books (monographs, edited collections) and 10 Korean Studies journal articles and book chapters by MUKSRH members;
  • support over 10 Korean Studies research projects involving MUKSRH members and including collaborations with our international partners

Check out the AKS 2.0 Grant report here: AKS Core 2.0 Grant: First 9 months Report - School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics (monash.edu)

Introduction to Monash University Korean Studies

Korean Studies at Monash

As Korea continues to become a strong partner for Australia and in the Asia Pacific region, Monash University is committed to developing an innovative and dynamic Korean Studies Program that promotes greater awareness and understanding of Korea, including its culture, language, history, politics and economy. In addition to training students in the Korean language, Monash University wants to develop the next generation of Korea experts. From 2018 we are covering topics such as pop culture and literature, and we intend to continue providing an extensive range of choices for students to pursue their interests … so watch this space!

In addition to building academic capacity, we are taking a more holistic approach. We offer students a vibrant and supportive environment that enhances their career and provides competitive opportunities. We do so by:

  • Offering more scholarships, fellowships, exchange programs and student support at undergraduate and post graduate level in the field of Korean Studies to encourage more students to pursue post graduate studies.
  • Strengthening original research and intellectual collaboration with Korean and Australian Universities as well as other Universities around the world through joint research projects, conferences, seminars and workshops where emerging and existing Korean Studies scholars can showcase their research and network with others.
  • Establishing a Korean Studies Research Hub to promote quality publications and research outputs.
  • Establishing internships for program students with organizations and companies that have a strong Korean link.
  • Holding Monash Public Seminar Series all year round where we invite speakers including researchers, writers, artists and other experts from around the world from diverse fields related to Korea to give a talk to students, academics and interested members of the public to encourage and facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange.

The Monash University Library has developed a comprehensive guide for users of all aspects of Korean studies to help navigate its extensive collection housed on the Clayton Campus. Find the Korea Studies Guide here.