We were proud to partner with the Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC) on the Australian Studies in China Online Resource (ASCOR) project.

The project comprises a series recordings of a series of conversations with leading Australian literary authors on their writings and perspectives on Australia’s modern transformation. Funded by the Public Affairs and Culture Program of the Australian Embassy in Beijing, the interviews represent a unique teaching and research resource for academics, students and wider audiences in China and Australia.

Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, interviewed the six Australian authors: Dr Carrie Tiffany, Ms Di Morrissey, Prof Nicholas Jose, Prof Mirandi Riwoe, Prof Brian Castro and Mr Thomas Kenneally.

Our contribution was to ensure that the recordings were securely deposited in Australia. Fortunately, an ideal location was on the ANU Campus: the Australian Data Archive (ADA). We are delighted to be working with the Centre for Social Research and Methods, which hosts the ADA, to protect this invaluable resource.

We look forward to working with FASIC on the second series of the project which will be supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

For more information, visit FASIC: Australian Studies in China Online Resource (ASCOR).

ASCOR Interviews

Mr Thomas Keneally AO

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Mr Thomas Keneally AO, the esteemed Australian novelist, playwright and essayist best known for his novel Schindler’s Ark which won the Booker Prize in 1982 and was adapted by Steven Spielberg into the Academy Award winning film Schindler’s List.

During this episode, Tom discusses his long engagement with China, and offers insights on Australia's colonial past, as well as its changing national and regional identities. He also speaks about settler-Indigenous relations, and the shared Irish and Catholic heritage with the United States of America. Further to this, Tom explains how his family history continues to influence his career and how first-person survivor accounts were a crucial component to his storytelling in Schindler's List.

Watch Thomas Keneally on YouTube »

Professor Nicholas Jose

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Australian author Professor Nicholas Jose about his work and how this has been influenced by his experiences.

During this episode, Nick discusses his family's multigenerational ties to China, his time as a teacher in China and diplomat at the Australian Embassy in Beijing, as well as his work since then. Nick highlights how China has influenced his writing, and provides examples of how he sees the country has positively developed since he left in the 1990s.

Watch Nicholas Jose on YouTube »

Dr Mirandi Riwoe

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Dr Mirandi Riwoe, a Brisbane-based author, who has received critical acclaim for her novels.

During their conversation, Dr Riwoe discusses themes such as her multicultural heritage, the sources of inspiration for her writing, contemporary topics in Australian literature and advice for aspiring young writers.

Watch Mirandi Riwoe on YouTube »

Professor Brian Castro

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Professor Brian Castro, the well-known Australian novelist and essayist best recognised for his book, Shanghai Dancing.

During their conversation, Professor Castro discusses themes such as Australia's education ties with Asia, Australia's multicultural and Indigenous communities, and how his experiences of living in Hong Kong, Macao, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, the U.S. and France have affected his world view and influenced his writings.

Watch Brian Castro on Youtube »

Dr Carrie Tiffany

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Australian author Dr Carrie Tiffany. Born in West Yorkshire, Carrie grew up in Western Australia and spent her early twenties working as a park ranger in Central Australia. She now works as an agricultural journalist in Melbourne.

During this conversation, Carrie discusses themes such as the influence of her childhood fascination with the Australian bush, her experiences living in the different Australian states and territories, how humans relate to the animal world, and how she uses intertextuality in her writings.

Watch Carrie Tiffany on YouTube »

Ms Di Morrissey AM

In this interview, Professor Pookong Kee, current BHP Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, speaks with Australian author Di Morrissey AM, one of the country's most successful novelists.

During this conversation, Ms Morrissey discusses themes such as the distinctive features in her writing, her long association with Asian countries, how her diverse career path has inspired her creative writing, community work and the secrets to success as a writer.

Watch Di Morrissey on YouTube »