Rate My Professor Jocelyn Chey

Jocelyn Chey is Visiting Professor in the School of Languages and Cultures within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. She also serves as Adjunct Professor at the Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney, and Adjunct Professor at the Australia-China Institute for Arts and Culture, Western Sydney University. Her academic career commenced as a Lecturer in Chinese studies at the University of Sydney. In 1973, coinciding with Australia's establishment of diplomatic relations with China, she moved to Canberra and joined the diplomatic service, working for more than twenty years in the Departments of Overseas Trade, Foreign Affairs, and later the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, specializing in Australia-China relations. Chey held three postings in China and Hong Kong, concluding as Consul-General in Hong Kong from 1992 to 1995. She was the key administrative officer responsible for the foundation of the Australia-China Council in 1979.

Professor Chey's research specializations include international relations, humour, Hong Kong, intellectual history, and cultural relations. Her scholarly contributions feature prominent publications such as 'Chinese “Soft Power”—Cultural Diplomacy and the Confucius Institutes' (2008), 'Youmo and the Chinese sense of humour' (2011), 'Cultural diplomacy and Australia-China cultural relations' (2014), 'From Rosny to the Great Wall: Cultural relations and public diplomacy' (2004), and 'The gentle dragon' (2007). She co-edited the volumes 'Humour in Chinese Life and Culture: Resistance and Control in Modern Times' (2013, with Jessica Milner Davis) and 'Humour in Chinese Life and Letters: Classical and Traditional Approaches' (2011). As a frequent speaker and lecturer on Chinese affairs, she maintains an active role in academic discourse. Chey has received major honors including the Australia-China Council Medal in November 2008 for contributions to Australia-China relations and the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for community service and development of relations with China. She is a Fellow of the Institute of International Affairs.