Caleb Kelso-Marsh serves as an Associate Lecturer in Asian Studies within the School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Australia. His doctoral research culminated in a PhD in Asian Studies from the same institution, awarded in 2025, with the thesis titled “Korean Film Noir: The Dark Side of Compressed Modernity.” This work traces the development of Korean noir films, arguing that the genre offers alternative historical narratives illuminating the dark side of Korea’s rapid modernization, including systemic issues such as poverty, rising crime rates, gender and socioeconomic inequality. Kelso-Marsh’s academic background is diverse, encompassing an LLB with Distinction and a BA Honours in English and Creative Arts from Murdoch University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Chinese Law from Murdoch University, and a Graduate Diploma in Korean Language from Sogang University, supported by a Korea Foundation Language Training Fellowship in 2019.

Kelso-Marsh’s research interests center on Asian cinema, approached through an interdisciplinary framework integrating history, politics, cultural studies, and film criticism. He investigates how films act as historical sources shaped by and expressive of their socio-political production contexts. Notable publications include the chapter “East Asian Noir: Transnational Film Noir in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong” in Renegotiating Film Genres in East Asian Cinemas and Beyond (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), “Why Investing in Screen Cultures Pays Off: Lessons for Australia from the Korean Film Industry” in the Korea Research Centre Paper Series (2021), and a contribution to Toward Deeper Engagement: Prospect and Reflections on the 60th Anniversary of ROK-Australia Diplomatic Relations (Korea-Australia Research Centre, 2021). His accolades include the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education Teaching Fellowship Scheme (2018), National Library of Australia Japan Study Grant (2017), Australian Postgraduate Award (2016), and Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award Scholarship (2012). Kelso-Marsh coordinates and teaches undergraduate units such as ASIA1002 Asia from Colonial to Modern, ASIA2004 Popular Culture in Asia, ASIA3005 Autocracy and Democracy in Asia, ASIA3006 Contemporary Korean Society, and micro-credentials including KOREM201 Korea and Its Neighbours and KOREM203 Australia-Korea Relations. He contributes to the project Development of Korean Language School Education in Western Australia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and has provided media commentary on topics including North Korean missile launches, the Korean Wave, and the rise of noir in South Korean cinema.

Professional Email: caleb.kelso-marsh@uwa.edu.au