About us
School Director
Professor Toni Erskine joined the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs as Director and Professor of International Politics in July 2018.
Professor Erskine is also Associate Fellow of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, and Co-editor of International Theory: A Journal of International Politics, Law and Philosophy.
“The Bell School is known for both its exceptional scholars and its significant impact on policy-making. The School has unrivalled expertise in international and Asia-Pacific politics, security, strategy and diplomacy.
It's a genuine privilege to serve as School Director and to help build on this reputation for excellence."
Our School
The Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs (Bell School) is recognised as the pre-eminent centre in the region and one of the best in the world for research excellence and policy analysis in the political, societal, diplomatic, security and strategic dimensions of international and Asia Pacific affairs.
The School is named after Dr Coral Bell AO, one of Australia’s leading intellectuals whose ideas on the big issues of war and peace, great power relationships, alliances, and global and regional security architecture made a direct and lasting impact on international policy debate.
The School, part of the College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP) comprises of four academic units, which are committed to delivering distinctive excellence in research that positively influences policy in Australia, in the Asia-Pacific region, and internationally.
- Department of International Relations (IR)
The first of its kind in Australia and continues its role as a leader in the study of world politics. - Department of Pacific Affairs (DPA)
Hosts the largest number of Pacific expertise in the world and is recognised internationally for its cutting-edge analysis of Pacific affairs. - Department of Political & Social Change (PSC)
Internationally-renowned centre for research on the domestic politics and societies of Asia. - Strategic & Defence Studies Centre (SDSC)
Plays an integral role in shaping Australian strategic and defence policy and is engaged with the changing geopolitical environment of the Asia-Pacific region.
The Bell School provides undergraduate and graduate coursework programs and graduate research training of the highest quality. Many of our PhD graduates have gone on to senior leadership positions in government and the private sector, and academic positions at some of the most prestigious universities. We currently have more than over 100 PhD students, over 350 postgraduate coursework students, and around 800 students taking our undergraduate courses. When they graduate they will join an international community of 13,000 Bell School alumni.
The School’s commitment to education extends beyond the confines of the classroom, as part of the founding mandate of ANU to advance the country’s understanding of the Asia-Pacific region and its place in it. School staff are key contributors to national policy-making, appearing frequently in the media, advising government, and hosting the highly influential country update conference series, which itself has resulted in the publication of over 15 books. Last year, over 7,500 people attended seminars, workshops and public lectures held by the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.
Find out more on our education programs in our School program guide [PDF, 1,310KB]
Find out more about our Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs
Dr Coral Bell AO »
Described as Australia’s most distinguished analyst of contemporary international politics, Dr Coral Bell AO was an internationally renowned scholar.
Departments, projects and centres »
Explore our world-leading departments, projects and centres.
Professional staff »
Our researchers, teachers and students are supported by a talented team of professional staff who provide a team-based approach to the School’s administration.
Contact us »
Contact us if you would like further information about the Coral Bell School or any of our departments.
