Prof. Michael Singh
Head, Department of Language and International Studies, RMIT University

Michael Singh is Professor of Language and Culture at RMIT University; the Head of the Department of Language and International Studies, and the leader of the Research and Innovation in Globalisation and Cultural Diversity Forum. He was responsible for the conceptualisation of an innovative BA in International Studies which focuses on the policy and practice of local engagements with the problems and possibilities of globalisation; a global/local orientation to work integrated learning; and a choice of three streams of languages studies ­ global English; interpreting and translating, and othered languages.

His research in the areas of multicultural education and Asia literacy has involved exploring a range of socially critical practices for teachers: strategic re-interpretation, counter-construction, standpoint pedagogy, mimicry, critical literacy and contrapuntal reading. Professor Singh is currently engaged in a joint Australia/Malaysia research project, with Associate Professor Peter Keel (RMIT) and Associate Professor Ambi Pandian (USM), on the business of teaching English as a global/local language. He is also contributing to an ARC funded project, with Professor Fazal Rizvi (RMIT) and Dr Georgina Tsolidis (Monash), on Asian students' uses of international education. Professor Singh is the author of Performance Indicators in Education (Deakin University Press, 1990); Translating Studies of Asia (ACSA, 1995); and Equity Issues: Every University's Concern, Whose Business? (with Anderson, Stehbens and Ryerson, DEETYA, 1998). He is currently completing a book entitled Commemorating Federation: Asian-Australian Perspectives on White Australia Politics.