Japanese Studies is inviting expressions of interest from domestic applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) commencing in 2027.

This call invites prospective PhD applicants to develop and propose an original research project aligned with the discipline’s research strengths and supervision expertise.

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with strong academic preparation and a clear interest in contributing to the discipline’s areas of research focus. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to undertake independent research and develop a well-conceived PhD project.

IMPORTANT: Do not use the “Submit an Expression of Interest” button on this page. To be considered, you must submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) using the School EOI form (click here to access the form).

The academic staff listed below represent the areas of supervision available in Japanese Studies within the Asia Institute. Applicants should review the academic expertise and consider how their proposed project aligns with the research interests of potential supervisors.

The composition of the supervisory panel will be based on staff’s availability and expertise and may draw on expertise from other programs and schools in the Faculty of Arts.

Dr Jonathan Glade (Principal/Co-supervisor)

My research explores intersections between modern Japanese and Korean culture. Specific research interests include modern Japanese and Korean literature, Zainichi Korean cultural production, postwar Japan, global circulations of popular culture, as well as food history and food culture.

Research Areas: Cultural Studies, Modern Literature, Food Studies, Modern History, Ethnic Studies

Dr Judit Kroo (Principal/Co-supervisor)

I work across Japan, Korea, and Australia to understand how people remake their worlds under conditions of ongoing crisis — and what those experiences can teach us about building more just, resilient, and ecologically grounded futures. I welcome students working on disaster, climate change, rural life, ecology, and the politics of future-making, using methods drawn from linguistic, anthropology, ethnography, and beyond.

Research Area: Sociolinguistics, Linguistic Anthropology, Disaster, Ecology, Climate Change, Critical Disability Studies, Future Studies, Rural Studies

Prof Claire Maree (Principal/Co-supervisor)

My key expertise lies in the linguistic analysis of identity and the mediatisation of language styles. The key themes of my current research are a) the reproduction, negotiation and contestation of identities in language, and b) the interconnection of gender and sexuality in everyday language practices. I also contribute to the area of language education. I have extensive experience in the study of contemporary Japanese culture/society, Queer Studies and qualitative approaches to language, gender and sexuality.

Research Area: Critical sociolinguistics, Queer Studies, Language and Sexuality, Language and Gender, Discourse analysis

Prof Ikuko Nakane (Principal/Co-supervisor)

My research interests include sociolinguistics, language and law (forensic linguistics), and language education. I have been investigating issues in multilingualism and language rights in the Japanese justice system, language, mobility and identity, silence in educational and legal communication, courtroom discourse, and interpreter-mediated legal discourse.

Research Area: Language and Law/Forensic linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Discourse analysis, Multilingualism, Language education

Prof Akihiro Ogawa (Principal/Co-supervisor)

My major research interests are contemporary Japan and Asia, focusing on civil society. I keep abreast of the latest developments in social science theory, choosing projects that cultivate a deep understanding of how society functions within contemporary theoretical contexts. My research is international in scope and comparative in focus.

Research Area: Civil society, democracy, public policy, peace & security, action research, public anthropology, Japan, Asia

A/Prof Jun Ohashi (Principal/Co-supervisor)

My ongoing research interests include interpersonal pragmatics, (im)politeness, critical discourse analysis, media literacy and linguistic rituals. My recent research explores new roles of the Japanese language education in Australian Higher education and the discourse of neo-liberalism and the university world rankings

Research Area: Linguistics, Media Studies, Higher Education

A/Prof Nana Oishi (Principal / Co-supervisor)

My research explores the complexities of migration, diversity, equity, and inclusion in Japan, Australia, and beyond. In recent years, I have focused particularly on the impacts of social determinants of migration-decision making as well as the impacts of migration on development.

Research Area: Migration, Diaspora, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, and Regional Development

Sally Chan (Co-supervisor)

My research focuses generally on second language acquisition and Japanese language education, specifically exploring it through the lens of sociocultural theory. I am particularly interested in how social learning frameworks facilitate classroom learning, and how innovative classroom designs can be used to enhance both student motivation and learning outcomes.

Research Area: Second language acquisition and Japanese language pedagogy

Dr Kaya Oriyama (Co-supervisor)

My research interests are in language maintenance and development, heritage language and community language education, language and identities, transnational and mixed-heritage children and youth, and language policy.

Research Area: Language Maintenance & Development, Heritage/Community Language Education, Transnational and Mixed-Heritage Children and Youth

Dr Yasuhisa Watanabe (Co-supervisor)

My research interests are in Japanese language education, utilising sociolinguistic viewpoints to better understand how language is used, and the application of teaching theories through Learning and Assessment Design and Computer-Assisted Language Learning.

Research Area: Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, Education policy

HOW TO APPLY

Before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants should review the research areas and supervision expertise listed above and consider how their proposed research project aligns with the discipline’s areas of expertise. You do not need to contact a potential supervisor before submitting an EOI.

You should also ensure you meet the entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) [click here to view the Handbook]. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate excellent academic achievement in a relevant master’s degree, honours degree (or equivalent), usually placeing in the upper range of the grading scale at their institution, together with strong performance in a substantial independent research project (e.g. thesis).

IMPORTANT – How to submit your EOI

To be considered you must submit your expression of interest using the School EOI form:

→ Submit your Expression of Interest (School EOI form) - click here to access the form

Do not use the page “Submit Expression of Interest” button. Applications submitted via the page button will not be considered.

Deadlines

EOIs are currently being accepted from domestic applicants only. The deadline for domestic applicants is 6 September.

The EOI round for international applicants closed on 30 June and is no longer accepting submissions.

To complete the School EOI form [click here to open], you will be asked to provide:

a research proposal
a curriculum vitae (CV) - use this template [click here to open]
academic transcripts for all tertiary study
evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
the names of two potential supervisors aligned with your project

What happens next
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview with potential supervisors within approximately two weeks of the closing date.

Applicants who receive supervisor support may be invited to submit a formal application to the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (DR-PHILART).

Submission of an EOI does not guarantee admission or scholarship selection.

Further information about the application process is available here: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate-research [click here to open]

DR

Judit Kroo

Senior Lecturer, Japanese Studies

Asia Institute

DR

Judit Kroo

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Faculty of Arts

Primary Interest

Linguistic Anthropology

DR

Judit Kroo

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