A
message from the Executive Director, Caroline RoseA
warm welcome to the White Rose East Asia Centre (WREAC). The Centre is
an exciting joint initiative between the universities of Leeds and
Sheffield. Established in 2006 with funding from the Economic and Social
Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the
Higher Education Funding Council for England, WREAC brings together
staff and students from East Asian Studies (EAS) at the University of
Leeds and the School of East Asian Studies (SEAS) at the University of
Sheffield. For the past 50 years, EAS and SEAS have been the main
national providers of training and supervision in modern Chinese and
Japanese language and area studies at both undergraduate and
postgraduate levels. We have combined our resources and expertise in
language provision, along with our research strengths in the social
sciences and the arts and humanities, to establish a Centre of
Excellence. This is based on the long-standing and close collaboration
between Leeds and Sheffield under the umbrella of the White Rose
consortium. The Centre connects over 40 core research staff and
some 20 associate researchers, visiting professors and honorary fellows
in addressing the major social, cultural, political and economic issues
facing modern East Asia. We
have formal links with some 30 universities in China and Japan. Our
international outreach is strengthened with our membership, through both
universities, of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) and our close
ties with the world of business, commerce and diplomacy. We enjoy close
relations with the Centre for International Business (CIBUL) and the
Business Confucius Institute (BCIUL) at Leeds and the Confucius
Institute at Sheffield. Over
the years, the Centre has also been awarded considerable funds from the
GB Sasakawa Foundation for academic and research support posts in
Japanese studies. Students continue to be the primary focus
of our activities. The Centre provides a lively and stimulating home
for taught MA students, research students and early career researchers.
We now have over 40 research students across the two universities. Our
collaborative aim is to meet the nation’s need for individuals with both
language skills and knowledge of modern East Asia. Our research
methodology provision is continually being improved and strengthened,
and our language-training research projects are developing innovative
methods for advanced Chinese and Japanese language training using
web-based and interactive technologies. We have an ongoing
programme of research seminars, workshops, symposia and conferences
which engage our staff and students, as well as invited speakers from
outside the Centre. Many events are open to a wider audience from
business, the public and voluntary sectors, and the general public. I
hope that you will take time to find out more about us on this website
and to contact us if you require any further information. Professor Caroline Rose Executive Director |