Donovan Chau

Donovan Chau is an Assistant Professor at the Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government within the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of West Florida (UWF). He has been affiliated with UWF for over a decade, specializing in cybersecurity, national security, and international affairs. His work bridges academic research with practical applications through initiatives like the Hacking for Defense course, fostering collaboration between UWF, industry, and government partners.

Dr. Chau's research interests focus on security studies, particularly terrorism, international security, and regional dynamics in East Asia and Africa. He has extensive teaching experience across political science, international affairs, and cybersecurity domains, with a strong emphasis on applied learning and student-driven research projects.

His academic background includes a PhD in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading (UK), an MS in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University, and a BA in Literature/Government from Claremont McKenna College. Prior to UWF, he served as a tenured associate professor at California State University, San Bernardino, and worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and homeland security contracting.