Stephen Chan

Professor Stephen Chan is a faculty member at SOAS University of London in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POL). With a focus on African political thought and international relations, his work critically examines postcolonialism, decoloniality, and global governance.

Key research themes include:

• Decolonizing international relations theory
• Sino-African political dynamics
• Election observation and democratic processes
• Non-Western cosmopolitanism
• Comparative diplomatic practices

His recent publications analyze the ideological ambiguity of decoloniality (2023), pluralist visions for global security (2017), and the legacy of African liberation movements (2021). He has advised multiple theses on topics ranging from parliamentary governance in Kenya/Zimbabwe to China-Africa media interactions.

Notably:

• Critiqued the misuse of 'decoloniality' as ideological rhetoric (2023)
• Authored a poetic autobiography of political engagement (2022)
• Traced Africa's intellectual history of freedom (2021)
• Examined Zimbabwean elections (2017)
• Explored non-Western modernity (2018)