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Karl Gustafsson is a Professor at Stockholm University within the Department of Economic History and International Relations. His work bridges security studies , collective memory , and digital research methods in international relations. Current Role: Professor of International Relations, Stockholm University Previous Positions: Post-Doc at Lund University, Researcher at Swedish Institute of International Affairs Visiting Appointments: University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Keio University, Academia Sinica, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies Research Focus: Karl specializes in memory politics , ontological security , and anxiety-driven international dynamics , particularly in Sino-Japanese relations and digital platforms . His studies explore how historical narratives and online memory construction influence state identity and policy. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Wang Gungwu Prize (2014) and Stockholm University Association’s award (2011). Holds Swedish Research Council and Marianne & Marcus Wallenberg Foundation grants for projects on apologies in international politics and digital memory in East Asia . Publications: His work appears in journals such as International Studies Quarterly , European Journal of International Relations , and Memory Studies , addressing topics like narrative power in East Asia, anxiety’s role in policy change , and digital humanities applications in IR.

• International Relations
• Security Studies
• Collective Memory in Global Politics
• +2 more

Paul O'Shea is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University, Sweden. He holds a joint Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield and Tohoku University, Japan (2012), and has held academic positions at the Stockholm School of Economics, Aarhus University, and Lund University. He rejoined Lund in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020. Ph.D. in International Relations, University of Sheffield and Tohoku University (2012) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stockholm School of Economics Lecturer, Aarhus University, Denmark (2013–2016) Associate Senior Lecturer, Lund University (2016–2020) Senior Lecturer, Lund University (2020–present) His research centers on East Asian international relations, particularly Japanese foreign and security policy, US-Japan-China dynamics, territorial disputes, military alliances, and the societal impacts of international politics. He explores how global politics shapes everyday life, including food safety, environmental policy, rural development, and immigration. His work combines theoretical frameworks like punctuated equilibrium theory with empirical analysis of policy shifts in Japan. The recent articles reflect a consistent focus on Japan’s evolving security posture, alliance dynamics with the United States (especially concerning Okinawa), the political and social implications of the Tokyo Olympics during the pandemic, and comparative governance of crises in Japan and Sweden. His publications span academic journals, policy briefs, and public commentary in outlets like The Conversation , The Guardian , and The Diplomat . He has received the Tohoku Creativity Grant and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. His work engages with political science, sociology, and public policy. O'Shea supervises PhD and MA students and teaches courses including International Relations of East Asia, Contemporary Japanese Society, and Politics and Governance in Asia. He has supervised theses on topics such as food risk in Japan and US-Japan security relations. He has also led and participated in multiple research projects, including EU-funded initiatives on the Indo-Pacific and Chinese governance practices. He is active in public engagement, having participated in media debates (e.g., Al Jazeera’s The Stream) and public lectures on WWII memory and East Asian politics. His research is widely cited and has influenced public discourse on Japan and pandemic governance.

• International Relations
• East Asian Studies
• Japanese Foreign Policy
• +12 more

Ernils Larsson is a researcher at the Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Religion and Society (CRS) at Uppsala University's Faculty of Theology, Department of Theology. His current postdoctoral project, "From Secular Institution to Religious Organization: Shrine Shinto in Postwar Japan," is funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet). Dr. Larsson's research primarily focuses on the intersection of religion, law, and politics in postwar Japan. His work examines how religious institutions navigate legal frameworks, particularly focusing on Shinto and Confucianism in contemporary Japanese society. Key areas of investigation include: Religion-making processes in Japanese courts of law Shinto's relationship with political institutions Religious pluralism in supposedly "homogenous" Japanese society Constitutional interpretations regarding religion and state Spirituality beyond traditional religious frameworks Analysis of Dr. Larsson's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a consistent focus on how religious traditions in Japan negotiate legal and political spaces. His work demonstrates particular expertise in Shinto studies, examining both institutional Shinto (Jinja Honchō) and popular expressions of Shinto in contemporary media. There is also a strong thread examining Confucianism's status as a religion within Japanese legal contexts. His scholarship bridges religious studies, political science, and legal studies, offering nuanced analyses of Japan's complex religion-state relationship. Dr. Larsson has contributed to numerous academic journals including Critical Research on Religion, Contemporary Japan, Review of Faith and International Affairs, Religions, Japan Review, and Nova Religio. He has also published book chapters with prestigious academic presses including University of Hawai'i Press and Palgrave Macmillan.

• Religion and Law
• Japanese Politics
• Shinto Studies
• +4 more

Ming Gao is a Researcher in the History Department at Lund University (LU), affiliated with the Human Rights profile area. He holds concurrent affiliations with Australian Catholic University and Monash University. Previously, he served as a Research Fellow at Seoul National University and a pre-doctoral fellow at Tokyo Kokugakuin University. He earned his Ph.D. in East Asia/Japan Studies from the National University of Singapore, with additional studies at UCLA supported by the United States-Japan Foundation. His research focuses on intersections of history, politics, and gender, particularly examining the Japanese empire's impact on East Asia, transnational memory politics, and nation-building processes. Key themes include gender-based violence, comfort women issues, and historical diplomacy between Japan, Korea, and China. Notable achievements include the 2024 Mary Bennett Prize for his work on opium and gender, and the POSCO TJ Park Fellowship. He contributes to policy discussions through media outlets like Foreign Policy and The Diplomat, and serves as an Associate Review Editor for The Social History of Alcohol and Drugs . Gao is fluent in English, Japanese (JLPT N1), Korean (TOPIK6), and Chinese. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality and human rights.

• Gender Studies
• History
• Japanese Empire Studies
• +3 more