Director's welcome

Professor Brij V Lal

A warm welcome to the School of Culture, History and Language, one of the four foundational Schools in the College of Asia and the Pacific and one of its largest, with nearly 100 academic staff, 25 professional staff, 800 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates. Our principal task is to deepen understanding of Asia and the Pacific region, its societies, their histories and their interactions, to challenge existing perceptions and perspectives about the region, and to explore the parameters and underpinnings of our disciplines through the lens of the Asia Pacific experience. Our regional focus provides the broad framework for the School’s teaching and research. We currently conduct research and teaching on most of the major countries and sub-regions of Asia and the Pacific, including China, Island and Mainland Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, South Asia and the Pacific Islands. All the major disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences are represented in the School, including Anthropology, Archaeology and Natural History, Cultural Studies, History, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Security and Rights, and Studies in Religion. Our academics are among the leading scholars in their respective fields, and many of our graduates occupy positions of distinction and influence in their countries. We welcome you to our vibrant and distinguished community and invite you to explore with us the world’s most diverse and dynamic region now on the cusp of unprecedented global reach and influence.

Brij V Lal
Acting Director