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About the Fellowship

An initiative of China Matters in partnership with the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI), the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship is an investment in the next generation of Australian China specialists.

The Fellowship was established to support Australian early career researchers in the field of China Studies examining issues of particular relevance for Australia, and to provide an opportunity to undertake policy-relevant research in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Research outputs from the Fellowship will foster policy-relevant China knowledge and the community of Australia-China relations study.

The Fellowship is an opportunity for an early career Australian researcher to conduct research in the PRC with feedback and mentoring provided by UTS:ACRI under the guidance of Professor James Laurenceson, UTS:ACRI Director, and Ms Linda Jakobson, former founding director of China Matters.

The maximum total value of the Fellowship is AU$40,000, for the duration of the Fellowship: one year. Applications are now open to select the inaugural Fellow to begin research starting July 1 2024.

About China Matters

China Matters was established in 2014 to inform public and elite opinions and policymakers on the complexities of Australia’s relationship with the PRC. China Matters has done this by publishing policy briefs and reports, and promoting opinion pieces; bringing together senior policy makers, business executives, and university leaders to contemplate policy recommendations; and offering elected officials an opportunity to learn more about the PRC. After winding down operations in 2024, China Matters continues to invest in the future generation of Australian China experts through the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship.

About the Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI)

UTS:ACRI is an independent, non-partisan research institute established in 2014 by the University of Technology Sydney. It is Australia’s first and only research institute devoted to studying the relationship of these countries. UTS:ACRI seeks to inform Australia’s engagement with China through research, analysis and dialogue grounded in scholarly rigour.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship, the recipient must

- be an Australian citizen

- be an early career researcher, defined as those who are within five years of the start of their research careers

- have completed, at a minimum, an Honours or Masters degree by research

- have a proven interest and knowledge about China and the Australia-China relationship

- be committed to producing evidence-based and policy-relevant research on the PRC 

- be willing to spend some time in the PRC undertaking fieldwork

- be willing to spend some time in Sydney at UTS:ACRI discussing the research and presenting findings

- be available to attend an interview in person or online

- note proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is not a prerequisite but is desired

How to apply

Submit an application via email to acri@uts.edu.au before 5.00pm AEST May 10 2024, that includes:

1. a cover letter

- no longer than 750 words in length

- describing the reasons for wanting to pursue in-depth research on China under the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship

2. a Fellowship plan

- no longer than 2000 words in length

- stating succinctly the research question to be probed during the Fellowship and explaining its policy relevance to Australia

- describing the research to be undertaken

- providing a timeline for the research, including a travel plan to the PRC

- providing a budget for the Fellowship project

- noting the intended end product

3. a CV

4. a copy of academic record

5. the names and contact details of two referees; and

6. a sample of research writing

The Fellowship will be awarded based on the relevance and criticality of the Fellowship plan for informing Australia’s engagement with the PRC.   

First Nations Australians, women, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and culturally and linguistically diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Late applications or applications lacking one or more of the criteria listed above will not be considered.