In 2025, the AJRC expanded its support for emerging talented scholars by creating the Australia–Japan Business Scholarship, established through a generous donation by Ian Williams, Principal of IMW Advisory. The scholarship provides targeted financial support for postgraduate research focused on Australia–Japan business relations. The inaugural scholarship was awarded to Hamish Brookes, a PhD Candidate investigating Japanese foreign direct investment in Australia. Hamish will utilise the scholarship to undertake detailed empirical research both in Australia and Japan, contributing to the AJRC’s goal of informing and strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Schools and Centres Pages
PhD Supervision
AJRC recognises that PhD students are a crucial part of research development at universities. They not only build capacity for deep understanding and knowledge but are important in building up a research program more broadly.
We provide a number of scholarships for PhD projects. For more information, please contact us at ajrc@anu.edu.au.
Japanese Economy and Economic Policy (ECON2108)
Japanese Economy and Economic Policy is a semester-long undergraduate course convened by AJRC Director Professor Shiro Armstrong that introduces students to the operation and management of the Japanese economy and its interaction with Australia and other Asia-Pacific economies. This transdisciplinary course equips students with the tools to analyse current economic issues and contribute to informed discussion of contemporary public policy choices in Japan.
The Economic Way of Thinking (POGO8016)
The Economic Way of Thinking is a semester-long postgraduate course convened by Professor Shiro Armstrong that examines how people make choices under conditions of scarcity and systems of production, consumption and distribution. The course offers an economic decision-making framework for individuals, firms and policymakers. The aim of the course is to provide students from non-economic backgrounds with a solid understanding of economic principles, market structure and performance, government intervention and economic reasoning.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Principles and Practice (IDEC8088)
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Principles and Practice is a semester-long postgraduate course convened by Dr Hiroshi Matsushima that equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand, apply and critically evaluate cost-benefit analysis in public policy decision-making. The course emphasises practical application through real-world case studies spanning energy, environmental and transportation policies. The course aims to impart a holistic understanding of cost-benefit analysis, positioning students to contribute to informed and evidence-based public policy decision-making.
Energy Economics (IDEC8089)
Energy Economics is a semester-long postgraduate course convened by AJRC Research Fellow Dr Hiroshi Matsushima that examines the role of the energy sector in the global economy. The course covers key topics in energy economics, including energy markets, energy sources, efficiency, security and sustainability. It examines economic methods for assessing and modelling energy, alongside key energy opportunities and challenges in Australia and overseas.