Thomas Wilkins

Thomas Wilkins is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government & International Relations at the University of Sydney. He specializes in Asia-Pacific/Indo-Pacific security affairs, with a focus on Australian and Japanese strategic policies, alliance politics, and international power theories including middle powers and awkward powers.

• Education: PhD in International Security (University of Birmingham); MPhil in Asian Studies (University of Sydney, part-time); BA (Hons) and MA in History and International Studies (University of Birmingham)
• Regional Experience: Held fellowships at University of Tokyo, National Taiwan University, and Nanyang Technical University. Visiting roles at University of Hong Kong and Keio University

His research examines security architecture, strategic partnerships, and power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Recent work analyzes trilateral cooperation, economic security, and Taiwan Strait stability. He supervises HDR students on topics like China-India security alignment and US foreign policy in the South China Sea.

Scientific Awards:

• Senior Visiting Fellowship at Japan Institute for International Affairs
• JSPS Long-Term Research Fellowship
• Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship
• Australia-Japan Foundation grants

As Program Director for the Master of International Relations and Dalyell Mentor, he contributes to academic leadership. His publications span books like Awkward Powers: Escaping Great and Middle Power Theory and journals such as Pacific Affairs and The Pacific Review.