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PhD research opportunities

We welcome aspiring scholars to join the Judith Neilson Chair and our esteemed domestic and international network for a transformative academic experience that empowers you 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 environment for learning and personal development.

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Current PhD students

Jianxiong Jing

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

T3 2021 – continuing

Lin Zhou

Semiotics and Contemporary Chinese Peasant Painting: Recontextualising Traditional Folk Crafts. Recipient of a UNSW 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.

T1 2023 – continuing

Xie Tian

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

T2 2023 – continuing

Former PhD students

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 2022

Nan Li

International PhD. exchange student based at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). China Scholarship Council award, 11 September 2023-11 September 2024. Research focused on 20^{�ٳ�-��}and 21^st-century overseas critical writing on Chinese art – including the work of Paul Gladston.

Visiting PhD student

Externally Examined PhDs

Yiran Chen

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

What our PhD students say

&��ܴǳ�;��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 PhD 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

100% satisfaction

2022, 2023 and 2024.

Undergraduate program

Convened by UNSW 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 UNSW”

– 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.”