DoctorSerena Kelly

I research international political communication, especially how different channels of communication (e.g. media, elites, public opinion) can shape ideas, identity formation, and instititions - which in turn informs understandings and experiences of the world. Recent research has focused on the geopolitics of the South Pacific as well as European Relations with Aotearoa New Zealand. For example, I have investigated Aotearoa New Zealand’s mainstream media framing of AUKUS (the nuclear submarine alliance between Australia, the UK and the US) and the 2024 EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

I have 20 years of experience working with globally connected research teams from across Asia, the Pacific, North America, Africa and Europe. I believe today's problems require multidiciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives which requires international and transborder collaboration.

I welcome research collaboration and can provide a New Zealand perspective. For instance, I am actively looking to join a research team as part of Horizon Europe (of which New Zealand is an Associated Member). Topics of relevance include Cluster 2 (CL2), Democracy, Peace, Communication, Media, and Civil Society,

My research is internationally recognised and has been cited by academics and think tanks.

I have published in high impact journals such as the Journal of Common Market Studies, Asia-Europe Journal, The Pacific Review, and Journal of Contemporary European Studies. Notable journal publications include:

My research areas include the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, EU-Asia Relations, media and perception studies, trade, diplomacy, and public diplomacy. My current postgraduate students come from a variety of nationalities, backgrounds and research foci. I warmly welcome interested postgraduate students particularly interested researching politics and international relations with case studies on Europe and Asia from a social science perspective.