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ABOUT THE GSIATaught by a Highly Regarded Department of International Relations
With A Strong Reputation for Global StudiesThe GSIA faculty members are well known for their research on global politics including the publication of major textbooks in the field of international relations. Recent textbooks by GSIA faculty include Global Political Economy (Oxford) edited by John Ravenhill; The Global Politics of the Environment (Palgrave Macmillan) by Lorraine Elliott; Contending Images of World Politics (Macmillan) edited by Greg Fry and Jacinta O’Hagan, and The Oxford Handbook of International Relations co-edited by Christian Reus-Smit, Theories of International Relations (Palgrave) co-authored by Christian Reus-Smit; and The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings (Blackwell) edited by Greg Reichberg, Henrik Syse and Endre Begby. Other recent books by GSIA staff on global politics include Christian Reus-Smit’s The Moral Purpose of the State (Princeton) and American Power and World Order (Polity), Heather Rae’s State Identities and the Homogenisation of Peoples (Cambridge), Paul Keal’s European Conquest and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The Moral Backwardness of International Society (Cambridge), and Jacinta O’Hagan’s Conceptualizing the West in International Relations: From Oswald Spengler to Edward Said (Macmillan). Reflecting this strong reputation for research on international relations, the GSIA program offers a wide range of courses on global politics including Global Governance, Global Civil Society, World Politics, International Humanitarian Assistance, Global Security, International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, Ethics and Culture in World Politics, and Evolution of the International System. In one of the World’s Most Prestigious Centres of Asia-Pacific StudiesSituated in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, the GSIA program also provides an unparalleled opportunity to undertake the study of international affairs with an Asia–Pacific specialisation. A recent international review of the school concluded that it is the world’s leading centre for the study of Asia–Pacific cooperation, Asia–Pacific security and the comparative study of Asia–Pacific economies, as well as of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Visit the Research School’s website at http://rspas.anu.edu.au Recent books by GSIA faculty on international relations and politics of the Asia-Pacific include Professor William Tow’s Asia Pacific Strategic Relations: Seeking Convergent Security (Cambridge), Professor Peter Van Ness’ Confronting the Bush Doctrine: Critical Views from the Asia-Pacific (co-editor, Routledge), John Ravenhill’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation: The Construction of Pacific Rim Regionalism (Cambridge), Edward Aspinall’s Opposing Suharto: Compromise, Resistance and Regime Change in Indonesia (Stanford), Greg Fry’s Intervention and State-Building in the Pacific: The Legitimacy of ‘Co-operative Intervention’ (co-editor, Manchester), Kathy Morton’s International Aid and China’s Environment (Routledge), and Luigi Tomba’s Paradoxes of Labour Reform: Chinese Labour Theory and Practice from Socialism to Market (RoutledgeCurzon). At Australia's Premier Research UniversityThe Australian National University was ranked 16th in the world and number one in Australia in 2007 by The Times Higher Education Supplement World Rankings. ANU was also ranked 10th overall and 1st in Australia in Arts and Humanities. [ details ] Excellence in TeachingThe academics who teach in the GSIA program are highly regarded for the quality of their teaching. This is reflected not only in the feedback we receive from students each year, but also in the many awards won by our faculty. William Tow is a recipient of an Australian award for University teaching, the highest award in this area in Australia. Greg Fry has won the ANU Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award. And in 2006, in recognition of his lecturing skills, Christian Reus-Smit was elected by the ANU student community to deliver the inaugural ‘Last Lecture’ to University staff and students in the Great Hall of University House. Heather Rae and Raymond Apthorpe were also nominated for this honour in 2006, and in 2007 Katherine Morton, Andrew Phillips, and John Ravenhill were nominated. Most recently, in 2007, Christian Reus-Smit received the Award for Teaching Excellence in the inaugural College of Asia and the Pacific Teaching Awards. A Sense of CommunityThe GSIA program operates as a close and supportive community. Students have easy access to their professors, who are only involved in graduate teaching in the GSIA. There are also teaching assistants who give one-to-one assistance with essay writing and conceptual issues. Regular social events, small discussion-centred classes and shared use of the GSIA Study Centre and the International Relations Reading Room encourage a sense of class cohesiveness which continues after graduation. Diverse ClassesOur graduates value the diversity of the class. The current class includes students from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, Timor-Leste, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lesotho, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and Viet Nam. The group includes journalists, military officers, university lecturers, diplomats, and civil servants as well as a number of students direct from undergraduate programs. Their academic backgrounds include Asian studies, development studies, economic history, economics, history, international finance, international relations, journalism, literature, philosophy, political science and sociology. Distinguished Visitors ProgramOur graduate students also benefit from a very active Distinguished Visiting Professor program. In recent years, for example, this has included Professor Richard Ned Lebow, James O. Freedman Presidential Professor Of Government at Dartmouth College; Professor Anthony Payne, Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield; Professor Richard Rosecrance, Research Professor of Political Science at the University of California; Professor Peter Katzenstein of Cornell University; Professor Ian Clark of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth; Professor Yusuke Dan, Tokai University; Professor Anthony McGrew, University of Southampton; and Professor Jia Qingguo, Associate Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University.
• Where Does It Lead?DiplomacyThe GSIA program has been attractive to serving diplomats within the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and – judging by the number of graduates who have entered the Australian foreign service – is seen as good grounding for a diplomatic career. The relevance of the program as preparation for a diplomatic career is also supported by the decision of many foreign offices to send their young diplomats to this program. Graduates of the GSIA program are now serving diplomats within the foreign ministries of 26 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. International OrganisationsMany of our graduates have been employed in regional institutions and international agencies including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, The Association Southeast of Asian Nations (ASEAN), UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Program (WFP). GSIA graduates have also served in UN operations in Bosnia, Cambodia and Timor, and as peace-monitors in Bougainville. Policy-making/Policy-advisingA large number of our graduates have gone into careers in overseas and Australian public service. Reflecting the internationalisation of many areas of policy, they have found relevant careers in a variety of policy fields: economic assistance, trade, refugee and immigration policy, defence, international education, as well as in diplomacy. Some GSIA graduates have become ministerial advisers. The GSIA has also appealed to military officers who are moving into policy positions. JournalismThe GSIA has attracted a number of mid-career journalists as well as helping launch a career in journalism for others. GSIA graduates have been employed by The South China Morning Post, The Australian, The New Internationalist, The Washington Times, Islands Business (Fiji), Radio Australia, ABC Radio and SBS Television (Australia). Research InstitutesThe GSIA provides excellent preparation for a career in policy-related research in a research institute. GSIA graduates have been employed in a wide-range of institutes, including: the Institute of Pacific Studies (Fiji); Institute for Regional Studies (Islamabad); Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Jakarta); Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (London); Centre for Strategic Studies (Malaysia); Sarawak Development Institute (Malaysia); Institute of Strategic Studies (Philippines); Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Singapore); National Institute for Defence Studies (Tokyo); Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Canberra); East Asian Institute (NUS); Stockholm international peace research institute; and the Vietnam Institute of International Affairs. Non-Governmental OrganisationsIncreasingly, GSIA graduates are choosing careers in international non-government organisations. GSIA graduates are working in Amnesty International, Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development, Burma Lawyers’ Council, Care Australia, Norwegian Peace Corps, Oxfam America, and World Vision. An Academic CareerThe GSIA provides excellent academic preparation for a PhD. GSIA graduates have gone on to further study at graduate schools in Australia and overseas including Cambridge, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, the London School of Economics, Oxford and Yale. GSIA graduates have gone on to hold academic positions in the field
of international relations at over 30 universities in Australia,
Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines,
South Africa, and the United states. • Ashley CarlI commenced the GSIA program at the beginning of 2004 and was fortunate to be part of the inaugural class for peace and Conflict studies in Oslo, Norway. I have a particular interest in conflict resolution, global governance and humanitarian issues, such as disaster preparedness, emergency relief and reconstruction. I have been impressed with the teaching staff, both in their pedagogical approach and knowledge of the subject matter. The high caliber of postgraduate students in GSIA has also ensured that the environment is very conducive to higher learning. Moreover, the GSIA regularly includes presentations from leading academics and practitioners from the field. After returning from Oslo was selected for the Australian youth ambassador for Development (AYAD) program in Thailand. While a Youth Ambassador with the international organization for migration (IOM) in Bangkok contributed to counter human-trafficking programs being implemented across south East Asia. Since 2006 I have been working with IOM in Indonesia managing several emergency and reconstruction projects in central Java with funding from the European Commission, the World Bank and AusAID. Emily DavidMy year in the GSIA program exceeded my highest expectations. While I was exposed to inspiring, committed and knowledgeable staff, was also able to learn from fellow students of different backgrounds and nationalities, with different perspectives and experiences. Since graduating from the GSIA program have been working in Lebanon as a research officer in the United Nations relief Works agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA). Tom GreggMy name is tom Gregg and I have completed the Master of Arts (international relations) at ANU. During my Bachelors degree I had the opportunity to study at the University of the South pacific and to work for the Pacific Concerns resource Centre as an intern. At that time, politics and development issues in the Pacific islands were my main interest. The MAIR program gave me the opportunity to explore these issues at a deeper level, while also learning about similar issues in Asia. I completed my thesis on US nuclear policy and the implications for the nuclear taboo. I highly recommend the GSIA program; it exceeded my expectations on many levels. The academic content, the quality of the staff, the diversity of backgrounds among the students, and the social atmosphere all make the program extremely enjoyable. Since graduation in 2004 I have co-authored a book (How ethical is Australia?) with professor peter singer of Princeton University and in 2006 was appointed officer in Charge-southeast region in the United Nations assistance mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). I am currently the special assistant to the Special representative of the secretary-general, UNAMA based in Kabul. Rio Budi RahmantoI was previously a teaching assistant in the University of Indonesia, mostly in the field of international political economy. Prior to commencing my master of arts (International relations) in 2003, I joined the Department of foreign affairs of Indonesia and after completing my study continued working in the Directorate General for ASEAN Cooperation. I am currently posted in the Indonesian embassy in Berlin, Germany, in the economic and Development Cooperation function. Kaori SaitoMy undergraduate degree was in French literature from
Rikkyo University in Japan. Prior to my arrival in Canberra, I worked
for an aid organization in Tokyo and Cambodia and then studied Development
studies at the University of Melbourne. Although my primary area
of interest was economic and social development, I found my weakness
was not having a core discipline through which to understand the
dynamics of political interactions in third World contexts. The
GSIA program not only enabled me to build upon my interest in the
political underpinnings of development issues but also broadened
my knowledge and interests. I truly enjoyed the courses offered
in the GSIA program. Completing the coursework also provided me
with a strong basis to write a thesis on external involvement in
West Papua’s integration into Indonesia. After overcoming
many challenges involved in obtaining the degree, I have a lot of
confidence in my intellectual ability to get over whatever difficulties
may confront in the future. In addition to the intellectual engagement,
close interaction with academic staff and students in small-class
settings makes the GSIA program a very special learning community.
I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about cultures, values and views
which students from all over the world bring to the course and appreciate
the support I received from academic and administrative staff in
the GSIA program.
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Since
its foundation 60 years ago, the Australian National University’s
Department of International Relations has established a reputation
as a centre of excellence for research and graduate training. Under
the leadership of Professor Hedley Bull and Professor J.D.B. Miller
in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, followed by Professors James Richardson,
Andrew Mack, John Ravenhill and Greg Noble in the 1990s, the Department
has made a major contribution to international relations theory,
security studies, conflict studies, Asia-Pacific regional studies,
and the study of international co-operation and international order.
Under its current head, Professor Chris Reus-Smit, the Department
continues to promote advanced research and graduate training in
international relations theory, the study of global politics and
the international relations of the Asia-Pacific. For further information
visit the Department’s website at 