Teaching

Ph.D. research opportunities

We welcome aspiring scholars to join the JNCCA and our esteemed international network for a transformative academic experience aimed at empowering candidates to make a meaningful impact in the field of contemporary art studies. Whether you're pursuing doctoral research or undergraduate studies, our vibrant community offers a conducive and supportive environment for learning and personal development. 

Paul Gladston especially welcomes applications from Ph.D. students wishing to study as visitors to 91ɫ��Ƭ for up to one year under his supervision funded by the China Scholarship Council.

Find out more

Share your Ph.D. proposal with us

Current Ph.D. students

T1 2023 - continuing

Lin Zhou

Semiotics and Contemporary Chinese Peasant Painting: Recontextualising Traditional Folk Crafts. Recipient of a 91ɫ��Ƭ International Postgraduate Award and an Edmund and Joanna Capon Endowed HDR Scholarship ($10,000 p/a for up to 3.5 years). Co-supervised with Dr. Ian McArthur, ADA Art and Design.

T2 2023 - continuing

Xie Tian

Chinese Shadow Puppetry of Red. Co-supervised with Dr. Ian McArthur, ADA Art and Design.

January 2026 to January 2027

Danyun Wang

International Ph.D. exchange student based at Central Academy of Fine Arts. China Scholarship Council award. Research focused on international curating and Chinese contemporary art criticism.

Former Ph.D. students

Completed 2022

Dr. Luise Guest

(In)Visible Ink: gender and national identity in the work of four contemporary Chinese artists. Degree awarded with minor revisions. ADA Dean’s Award. Co-supervised with Dr. Scott East, ADA Art and Design.

Completed 2024

Dr. Nan Li

Former international Ph.D. exchange student based at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). China Scholarship Council award, 11 September 2023-11 September 2024. Research focused on 20th- and 21st-century overseas critical writing on Chinese art – including the work of Paul Gladston.

Completed 2025

Dr. Jianxiong Jing

A Multi-modal Analysis of the Interrelated Technical, Sociopolitical and Artistic/aesthetic Cultural Significances of Ancient Chinese Maps & their Relevance to Contemporary “Post-West” Cartography. Recipient of a 91ɫ��Ƭ international Postgraduate Award. Co-supervised with Dr. Marnie Feneley and Dr. Ian McArthur.

Externally Examined Ph.D.s

Yiran Chen

Dr. Chen holds a Ph.D. from the University of York. Her thesis is titled 'The Performative Materialities of Contemporary Chinese Art.'

"��remember Dr. Marnie Feneley driving me to the National Library of Australia for a field survey of maps. Under her guidance and leadership, I realized that researchers' personal contact with primary materials can bring about many changes in concepts and awareness … … Dr. Ian McArthur was very meticulous in helping me solve numerous problems. From his rigorous approach, I learned the academic attitude that a scholar should have."

– Jianxiong Jing

"What I enjoy most during my Ph.D. candidature is the engaging discussions with my supervisors (Professor Paul Gladston and Dr. Ian McArthur) about my research topics… … It brings me great joy when we share similar understanding and insights. Conversely, when they offer different perspectives, I find it deeply enlightening. Such exchanges prompt me to reflect and encourage me to approach my research with a broader and more inclusive mindset."

– Lin Zhou

"In both my studies and daily life, I benefited greatly from Professor Gladston’s encouragement and support. Many challenges I faced in my research were resolved through his guidance, during which my ideas and thoughts were constantly ‘deconstructed’ and reshaped. His encouragement, as well as his support and recognition of my research, has given me a great deal of confidence. Every time I think back to our communication, I feel profoundly empowered."

– Nan Li

"Dear Professor Paul Gladston ... I wanted to thank you for the invaluable advice and insights you shared during my viva in June. Your suggestions and the list of recommended readings have been incredibly helpful, both for refining my thesis and as a source of inspiration as I move forward with this project."

– Dr Yiran Chen

99% Student Satisfaction

2022–2025 average, based on student surveys

Undergraduate program

Convened by 91ɫ��Ƭ Judith Neilson Post-doctoral Fellow in Contemporary Art Dr Minerva Inwald

DART2311: East Asian Contemporary Art

The program offers a critical exploration of contemporary art originating from East Asia, with a specific focus on mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, spanning from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. It delves into the dynamic interplay between local and Western cultural influences, fostering an understanding of the historical, cultural, political, and social factors that have shaped East Asian contemporary art. Additionally, it examines how artists draw upon East Asian artistic traditions in their work, prompting students to reflect critically on concepts such as 'tradition,' 'modernity,' and 'contemporaneity' in contemporary art discussions. The course also delves into the discourse, theory, and presentation of contemporary East Asian art in various local and international contexts, encouraging students to provide multiple critical perspectives on contemporary artistic theory and practice.

What our undergraduate students say

“One of the best courses I have taken throughout my humanities degree in 91ɫ��Ƭ”

– myExperience student survey response, 2023

“I really enjoyed this course. I thought the…content was really fascinating and structured well. Each week had a specific focus but still felt part of a broader, continuous discussion and there are many ideas raised in the course that I would love to return to if given the opportunity in other courses or outside of university.”

– myExperience student survey response, 2022

“I 100% guarantee my writing improved because of this course.”