The Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ) is a multi-disciplinary organization which recognizes and encourages interest in Canadian Studies and aims to promote greater understanding of Canada.

The Association’s 2008 Biennial Conference will have the over-arching theme of “Canada in the Asia-Pacific” and will feature academic scholarship in a range of disciplines, relevant to Canadian Studies in an Asia Pacific context.

The conference aims to facilitate dialogue on Canadian perspectives on regional issues and profile Canadian strengths in the region.

The opening keynote address, hosted by the Brisbane Institute, on July 1st will be on the topic The Old Dominions and the Dragon: Australia, Canada and China, given by Professor Margaret MacMillan from St Antony’s College, Oxford.  Professor McMillan is a scholar and author of international repute.  Her latest book, Nixon in China: The Week That Changed the World (entitled Nixon and Mao in the U.S.) was nominated in January 2007 for a Gelber Prize, awarded annually.  The opening address will be followed by a reception, hosted by the Canadian High Commission, in conjunction with the Brisbane Institute, to celebrate Canada Day.

Professor MacMillan will also participate in the Federation Dialogue on July 2nd.  The Federation Dialogues Series, convened by the Canadian High Commission (Canberra), brings together eminent Canadians and Australians to discuss issues of interest to both countries.  Federation Dialogues have been a feature of ACSANZ conferences since 2002.  In 2008, Professor MacMillan will engage Professor Alex Bellamy, from the University of Queensland, on the topic of The Pursuit of Security:  Canada and Australia's Shared Concerns and Common Agenda.

Concurrent panel sessions will also explore a range of more diverse subject areas and facilitate dialogue and collaboration between Canadianists in the Asia-Pacific region.

The conference will also be preceded by a graduate student forum on Canada in the Asia-Pacific, showcasing graduate scholarship from members of ACSANZ and its regional partners in the Pacific Asia Network of Canadian Studies (PANCS).  All conference delegates are invited to attend the forum.

View the full conference program.

Graduate Student Participation

ACSANZ recognises the importance of graduate scholarship in Canadian Studies to the expansion and renewal of its members and to the community of Canadianists in the Asia-Pacific. 

ACSANZ will also award a prize for the Best Graduate Paper at the 2008 Conference.  The prize will include a certificate and books on Canada and will be awarded at the conference dinner.  To be eligible for consideration for this prize graduates must submit a copy of your full paper to the ACSANZ Secretary, Robyn Morris at secretary@acsanz.org.au by 1 June 2008.

Enquiries

2008 Conference Convenor and President ACSANZ

Professor Stewart Gill, Principal, Emmanuel College, University of Queensland

Email: s.gill@emmanuel.uq.edu.au