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Research in the College of Arts

The College of Arts is committed to vibrant and challenging research projects and programmes which are at the forefront of knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. Research is integral to the work of the College and academics are engaged in fundamental and applied research across a broad range of subjects at regional, national and international levels. You can see some of our research showcased in our growing Arts research repository page, or look at our department and individual researcher profiles.  

Facilities and opportunities

We ensure our academics, postgraduate students, and affiliated researchers have the best possible facilities and opportunities to pursue their research interests; thereby sustaining and enriching our profile of world-class research and dynamic international linkages and collaborations.

Research is carried out by academics, postgraduate students, and visitors within each School of the College. The Schools run their own research seminar programmes, host visiting researchers, and organise conferences, exhibitions and live performance events. For further information about current research projects and programmes in their fields, visit the Schools' webpages.

College Research Committees

The Research Committee is advisory to the PVC and the Executive of the College on policy matters related to creating an environment that will facilitate and support research in Arts. The work of the Committee provides a robust policy framework for the management of research programmes and to facilitate and seed new research, especially for emerging researchers.

The Research Grants Panel distributes research funds in accordance with criteria established by the College. It consists of the Chair of the College of Arts Research Committee and two elected members.

Valued postgraduate contribution

The College places particular emphasis on the significance of postgraduate researchers to its profile and activities. Postgraduates and emerging researchers play a vital role in contributing to the research of the College. Summer studentships and honours project work also provide opportunities for research skills and abilities to be learnt through involvement in on-going research programmes within the College. The College aims to achieve a collegial research environment where learning and collaboration are fostered at all levels.

Research centres

The College hosts a number of successful research centres that focus on interdisciplinary research:

• Bercovitch Data Centre
• Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury
• Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies
• National Centre for Research on Europe
• New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies
• New Zealand Institute for Language, Brain and Behaviour (NZILBB)
• New Zealand South Asia Centre
• Public Diplomacy & Political Communication Forum
• Small States and the New Security Environment
• Southeast Asia Research Initiative (SEARI)
• Hei Puāwaitanga: Sustainable Development and Civic Imagination Research Group
• UC CEISMIC Canterbury Earthquake Digital Archive