Christina Lai

Christina Lai serves as an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and holds an adjunct faculty position in Global Security Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She earned her Ph.D. from Georgetown University and previously held a post-doctoral fellowship in Princeton University's China and the World Program (2015-2016).

Academic Background:

• Ph.D., Georgetown University

Dr. Lai's research centers on International Relations Theory, Chinese Foreign Policy, East Asian Security, and U.S.-China Relations, employing rigorous Qualitative Research Methods. Her work critically examines historical statecraft, norm contestation, and identity politics in the Asia-Pacific region, with particular focus on Taiwan's evolving political landscape and China's strategic behavior. She frequently investigates how historical analogies shape contemporary foreign policy decisions and how economic instruments intersect with security concerns.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2015-2025) reveals consistent thematic focus on China's territorial claims, U.S.-Taiwan strategic alignment, and economic coercion dynamics. Her scholarship demonstrates sophisticated integration of historical analysis with contemporary security challenges, particularly regarding South China Sea disputes, cross-strait relations, and institutional competition. Methodologically, she combines discourse analysis with case study approaches to unpack complex interactions between identity formation, norm diffusion, and strategic decision-making in East Asia.

At Academia Sinica's Institute of Political Science, Dr. Lai contributes to research groups examining cross-strait relations and international relations theory. Her collaborative work extends through affiliations with Princeton University's China and the World Program and Johns Hopkins University's Global Security Studies program, reflecting her engagement with transnational academic networks focused on Asian security dynamics.