UNSW Canberra Korea Research Initiatives

About us

Korea Research Initiatives (KRI), is a leading multi-disciplinary research institution located at UNSW Sydney.

Three students studying with laptops in the Student Hub at L5 at desk

KRI began its operation as the Korea-Australasia Research Centre (KAREC) in June 2000. In recognition for its outstanding contributions and successful operation, KAREC became Korea Research Initiatives in 2011.

Our vision

KRI strives to become a renowned International Research Hub of Korean Studies by making a global impact through international academic and social engagements.

Our mission

Our mission is to act as an international research hub of Korean Studies through comparative research between Australasia, Korea and Southeast Asia. We aim to achieve our mission via strategic cooperation with leading academics and policies makers in the government in Australasia, Korea and eight Southeast Asian countries.

Our objectives

  1. To contribute to the enhancement of UNSW's research capacity by making KRI one of the major Korean Studies research institutions in the world.
  2. To contribute to the national and social development of Southeast Asian developing countries by advancing public policies and supporting their implementation.
  3. To support the enhancement of research and educational capacities in Social Sciences, Korean Studies and Korea-related research in Southeast Asian developing countries.
  4. To assist in building up the next generation of researchers and educators in Korean Studies and Korea-related research.

Governance

KRI is supported by a comprehensive governance structure comprising a management committee that represents internal stakeholders of UNSW and an advisory committee board that represents external stakeholders. These committees provide management oversight, and strategic guidance and advice.

KRI UNSW management committee

The management committee oversees the overall performance and direction of the centre, ensures the effective, efficient and sustainable pursuit of its objectives, and assists with strategy development. It also monitors the operation and finances of KRI and ensures compliance with UNSW policies and processes.

Advisory board members

The advisory board lends its energy, experience and influence to the pursuit of KRI's mission and vision.

Alignment with UNSW 2025 Strategy

  • The UNSW 2025 Strategy sets out overarching strategic priorities and themes to fulfil the vision of making UNSW Australia’s global university, and a leading research- and teaching-intensive university. KRI has already delivered on some of those priorities and will specifically align its primary activities in accordance with the Strategy to contribute to the set goals. The following highlights our contribution to two themes of the Strategy. KRI views Academic Excellence (Strategic Priority A) as a pre-existing condition we always possessed and we'll continue to strive for even higher results.

  • KRI has been engaging with governments, academic and non-academic institutions, and societies of eight emerging countries in Southeast Asia by:    

    • cooperating with the Korea Development Institute (KDI) in Korea to promote knowledge sharing between Australia, Korea and Southeast Asia; in particular, conducting comparative public policy studies in collaboration with senior scholars and policy makers in Korea and Southeast Asia, aiming to assist economic and social development of eight countries in Southeast Asia
    • holding public policy symposiums, forums and seminars with senior government officers and community leaders
    • disseminating practical policy reforms guidelines to governments of Southeast Asian countries which are drawn from the Comparative Public Policy Research Forum of KRI.
    • cooperating with the Korea Foundation and the Academy of Korean Studies in Korea to develop, enrich and support Korean Studies and Korea-related research in economically disadvantaged countries in Southeast Asia, thereby increasing their educational and research capacities.

  • KRI has contributed to UNSW's reputation by:

    • demonstrating UNSW's global leadership in Korean Studies and Korea-related research
    • engaging in long-term strategic cooperation with top universities in Korea and eight Southeast Asian countries through successful collaborative research projects
    • building a reputation as a successful international benchmarking case of Korean Studies research institute
    • attracting the largest amount of competitive grants in the world from Australian and Korean governments in the field of Korean Studies
    • engaging with media in Korea and Southeast Asia to promote the image of UNSW and disseminate the research outcomes and other activities of KRI.