China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship

About the Fellowship

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• 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, preferably at least two months, 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.

  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 15 2026,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.

• Recipients

  Inaugural Fellow

  Dr Edward Chan

  

  Dr Edward Chan is a Postdoctoral Fellow from the Australian Centre on China in the World, the Australian National University (ANU). With expertise in international relations, Indo-Pacific security, China’s foreign policy, and maritime security, his current research focuses on China’s evolving influence in oceans governance. He is the author of China’s Maritime Security Strategy: The Evolution of a Growing Sea Power (Routledge, 2021). He is also the Associate Editor of The China Journal. 

  Dr Chan’s Fellowship project is titled, 'Australia-China relations and maritime security in the South Pacific'. It aims to strengthen understanding of how Australia can effectively navigate its various maritime interests in the context of China’s rising presence in the South Pacific region, while seeking opportunities for engagement between the two countries in non-conventional security issues.

• 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 did 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 invested in the future generation of Australian China experts through the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship.

• Supporters

  The China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship was established with a donation made by China Matters to UTS:ACRI for the specific purpose of founding a fellowship as an investment in the next generation of Australian China specialists. The donation included final sponsorship payments to China Matters by Aurizon and BHP.

  Additionally, private donations were made to the Fellowship by long-term supporters of China Matters work: Mr Michael Ahrens, Professor Jocelyn Chey AM, Douglass Foundation, Mr Stuart Fuller, Mr Kevin McCann AO, Dr Heather Smith PSM and Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM, Ms Alison and Mr Rod Watkins.

  If you would like to donate to the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship please contact: acri@uts.edu.au