Elizabeth J. Perry

Elizabeth J. Perry serves as the Henry Rosovsky Professor of Government at Harvard University, specializing in Chinese politics and revolutionary movements. She previously directed Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and presided over the Association for Asian Studies.

Her research centers on Chinese revolutionary history and its contemporary political implications, with expertise in state-society relations, social movements, and authoritarian resilience. Key interests include:

• Political Thought (Ancient to Contemporary)
• Civil Society and Social Movements
• Political Economy & Development
• State-Mobilized Movements
• Revolutionary Legacy in Modern Governance

Her recent publications analyze China’s governance innovations under Xi Jinping, state-mobilized movements, and historical continuities from revolutionary eras. Perry’s work demonstrates how authoritarian regimes adapt through controlled mobilization and ideological innovation.

Major honors include:

• Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy
• Former President of the Association for Asian Studies

Perry has directed major research initiatives at Harvard’s Fairbank Center, focusing on China-India comparative studies and revolutionary legacies. Her scholarly influence extends through mentorship of China specialists and shaping the field of Chinese political studies through editorial leadership and collaborative projects.