Peter Van Ness

Peter Van Ness is a Visiting Professor at the Department of International Relations, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University (ANU). Previously, he served as a faculty member at the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver (1966–1998). He specializes in Chinese foreign policy, Sino-American relations, human rights, nuclear power, and Asia-Pacific security.

Education: PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

Research interests span Chinese foreign policy dynamics, nuclear energy in East Asia, and regional security. His recent work includes critical analyses of nuclear power post-Fukushima and US-China strategic interactions. He has authored/co-edited books such as Learning from Fukushima: Nuclear Power in East Asia and contributed to journals like Critical Asian Studies and East Asia Forum.

Scientific Awards/Fellowships: Fulbright Fellowships (Japan), SSRC and ACLS grants, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fellowship.

Major Grants/Projects: Led the 2006 project Designing Security Cooperation and Reconciliation Between China and Japan, funded by ANU. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on nuclear energy and regional security.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with physical and social scientists in post-Fukushima nuclear energy analysis. Editorial roles include Critical Asian Studies, Asian Perspective, and Journal of Contemporary China.