He has a B.A.Hons and an M.A. from the University of Adelaide and a Ph.D. from Duke University. He taught for many years in the History Department of the University of Sydney. His research interests are centred on international history, especially Australia's relations with the world. The paper will draw on issues dealt with in his two latest works, 'Towards a New Vision: Australia and Japan across Time'(University of New South Wales Press, 2007) and 'Australia and World Crisis, 1914-23' (Sydney University Press, 2009).