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Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS)

What is CAPSTRANS?

The Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) at the University of Wollongong is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Key Centre for Teaching and Research established in 1999. CAPSTRANS is one of Australia’s pre-eminent research centres for the intensive focus on social, cultural, economic, political and historical transformations in the Asia Pacific region.

Researchers in CAPSTRANS undertake innovative interdisciplinary research combining theories and methods from political science, economics, management studies, legal studies, sociology, anthropology, media and cultural studies, history, language and literature studies, education and the creative arts. The region under examination includes countries of East, South, and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including APEC nations such as Australia and other nations of the Pacific Rim. At a time of immense change, the Asia Pacific region offers unique insights into social transformation triggered by national and global processes, policy developments, and the effects of these at local, regional, national and transnational levels.

Over the past decade, CAPSTRANS researchers have won major research grants, presented at key international conferences and their work has been published by some of the world’s leading publishers and journals. CAPSTRANS supports a vibrant research culture through regular seminars and workshops, a visiting scholars program and a large and active group of postgraduate research students. 

CAPSTRANS has an extensive research program structured around nodes of research activity which address issues of social transformation from particular perspectives while remaining alert to the comparative and interdisciplinary dimensions inherent to contemporary humanities and social sciences research. Current research nodes in CAPSTRANS include:

• Asia Pacific Histories
• Asia Pacific Science and Technology Studies
• Australasian Philosophy
• Australian Literary Cultures
• Centre for Comparative Law and Development Studies in the Asia Pacific
• Citizens, States and Power
• Exploring Languages in Asia
• Globalisation, Mobility and Development
• Innovation in Cultural Research
• International Trade and Economic Integration in the Asia Pacific Region
• New Media and Communications
• Centre for Australian Aotearoa New Zealand Studies

To Join CAPSTRANS, download and complete the membership form and email the form to the CAPSTRANS Director: markmc@uow.edu.au