Wen-hsin Yeh is a Professor and Richard H. and Laurie C. Morrison Chair Professor of History at the University of California, Berkeley. A Distinguished Professor, her work focuses on East Asia with specialization in late imperial and modern China, Taiwan, and Maritime East Asia. BA, National Taiwan University PhD, University of California, Berkeley Her research explores the interplay of culture, politics, and economics in China’s historical development. Key areas include ideological movements, urban transformation, and regional dynamics during the late Qing and Republican eras. Yeh’s publications span theoretical and empirical analyses of modern Chinese history. The 2008 monograph Shanghai Splendor investigates economic sentiments and urban modernity, while Provincial Passages (1996) examines cultural geography and early communist movements. Her 1994 China Quarterly article on Zhejiang radicals highlights regional intellectual networks during the May Fourth Movement. Earlier work like The Alienated Academy (1990) dissects academic culture under Republican governance.
Avery Goldstein is the David M. Knott Professor Emeritus of Global Politics and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania’s Political Science Department. He serves as the Inaugural Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China and Associate Director of the Christopher H. Browne Center for International Politics. His research focuses on international relations theory, strategic/security studies, and Chinese politics, with a particular emphasis on China’s grand strategy, US-China relations, and security dynamics in East Asia. Goldstein’s academic career includes seminal works such as Rising to the Challenge: China’s Grand Strategy and International Security (2005) and Deterrence and Security in the 21st Century (2000). He has authored over 30 journal articles in top-tier publications like International Security and International Organization , exploring themes ranging from nuclear deterrence to China’s geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), amplifying his influence in policy-relevant scholarship. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, addressing critical issues such as power transitions, crisis instability, and the implications of China’s rise for global order. Goldstein’s advisory roles and institutional leadership reflect his dual commitment to academic rigor and real-world policy engagement.
Kären Wigen is the Frances and Charles Field Professor in History at Stanford University, specializing in Japanese history and the history of cartography. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley (1990). Her research spans: Historical geography of East Asia Early modern Japanese regional economies Geographies of the imagination Transnational maritime histories Critical cartography and spatial analysis Her publications include eight major works from 1992-2025 analyzing spatial transformations in Japan and global metageography, with recent projects focusing on temporal dimensions in cartographic representation. She co-edited Seascapes (2007) and Cartographic Japan (2016), and serves as Director of Stanford’s Mellon Fellowship of Scholars in the Humanities since 2022.
Robert S. Ross is Professor of Political Science at Boston College and holds affiliate positions at Harvard University's John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and MIT's Security Studies Program. He specializes in Chinese security policy, East Asian security dynamics, and US-China relations. Ross has held visiting roles at institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Fudan University, reflecting his deep engagement with Chinese academic and policy communities. Education: B.A., Tufts University M.A. & Ph.D., Columbia University His research interests focus on the intersection of Chinese domestic politics and foreign policy, particularly in the context of power transitions and strategic competition. Key themes include Sino-American relations, regional security architecture, and the implications of China's rise for global governance. Ross has authored influential works such as Chinese Security Policy and Normalization of U.S.-China Relations , and his analyses frequently appear in journals like International Security and Foreign Affairs . Ross has advised U.S. government agencies and testified before Congress, emphasizing practical policy insights alongside academic rigor. His grants and fellowships include support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He currently serves on multiple editorial boards and academic advisory committees, including the U.S.-China Working Group of Congress and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. His recent work explores Europe's role in the Asia-Pacific balance of power and the evolving U.S.-China strategic rivalry, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to contemporary geopolitical challenges.
Daryl G. Press is a Professor of Government at Dartmouth College and the inaugural Faculty Director of the Davidson Institute for Global Security . He co-founded the Strategic Forces Boot Camp with Sandia National Laboratories and serves as a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council . Research Expertise U.S. National Security Policy Nuclear Deterrence Dynamics Technological Evolution in Warfare Strategic Stability Analysis Defense Department Consultancy Recent Publications (2023–2025) Examined U.S.-China military dynamics in East Asia Analyzed North Korean deterrence strategies Explored post-primacy U.S. foreign policy frameworks Investigated nuclear escalation risks Contact Information Email: daryl.g.press@dartmouth.edu Phone: (603) 646-1707 Office: Silsby Room 120, HB 6108
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
Bridget L. Coggins is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on the intersection of domestic conflict and international relations, including secessionism, rebel diplomacy, civil war, terrorism, maritime piracy, illicit trafficking, and refugee dynamics. She holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University (2006). Her major projects include examining state failure's international security consequences through case studies of Somalia, North Korea, Colombia, and Afghanistan. She has authored Power Politics and State Formation in the 20th Century: The Dynamics of Recognition (Cambridge 2014). Her work appears in journals like International Organization , Journal of Conflict Resolution , and Foreign Policy Magazine . Coggins speaks Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean. She previously taught at Dartmouth College and currently holds office in Ellison Hall 3707, with office hours by appointment.
Shuxian LUO is an Assistant Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, specializing in Indo-Pacific maritime security, Chinese foreign policy, and U.S.-China relations. Her research focuses on crisis management mechanisms, territorial disputes, and geopolitical dynamics in the South China Sea and Yellow Sea. She holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS (2021), an M.A. in China Studies from Johns Hopkins SAIS (2016), an M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University (2008), and a B.A. in English Literature from Peking University (2007). Her current book project analyzes China's escalation strategies in maritime disputes, while ongoing research includes studies on Sino-Russian relations, Hong Kong’s Baodiao movement, and Arctic geo-economic interests. Her recent publications explore AI risks in U.S.-China crisis management, China’s conciliatory posture toward South Korea, and ASEAN’s role in great power competition. Dr. Luo’s work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world policy implications, emphasizing the interplay between military tactics, legal frameworks, and diplomatic signaling in conflict prevention. She frequently publishes in journals like China International Strategy Review and the Journal of Contemporary China, and contributes to policy analyses for institutions like Brookings and War on the Rocks.
John Brobst is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and International Studies at Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences. His academic work centers on modern imperial and strategic history, with a focus on the British Empire, maritime power, and intelligence affairs. Education: Ph.D. in History, University of Texas at Austin M.A. in History, University of Texas at Austin B.A. in History and Geography, University of Kansas His research explores the intersections of geopolitics, grand strategy, and naval history, particularly in the Indian Ocean region during the 20th century. He has published on topics including the Great Game, Cold War maritime competition, and British imperial decline. His book The Future of the Great Game examines post-colonial defense strategies in Asia, and he continues to work on a new project analyzing great power rivalry and maritime strategy during the Cold War. His recent publications reflect a consistent focus on strategic geography, naval limitations, and international security dynamics, especially in South and Southwest Asia. These works span journals such as Geopolitics , Middle Eastern Studies , and The Journal of Military History , demonstrating interdisciplinary engagement across history, political science, and strategic studies. Dr. Brobst teaches undergraduate courses including History of Sea Power since 1890 , Secret Intelligence: Great Game to Five Eyes , and Decline and Fall of the British Empire , reflecting his expertise in maritime empires, intelligence history, and global power transitions. He has contributed articles and reviews to several academic journals, including Commonwealth and Comparative Politics , Orbis , and edited volumes on European-American relations in the Middle East. While no formal awards or fellowships are listed, his sustained scholarly output indicates active participation in the academic community. Dr. Brobst advises students in historical research and international studies, though specific advisees are not named. He is currently working on a book project examining Cold War maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean, signaling continued scholarly productivity. He is affiliated with no named research labs or teams, but his work aligns closely with strategic and imperial history research communities.
Frederick R. Dickinson is a Professor of Japanese History and Director of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts & Sciences. He specializes in Modern Japan, East Asian diplomacy, and World History, with a focus on imperialism, nationalism, and transnational dynamics. Born in Tokyo, Dickinson holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and has authored seminal works including War and National Reinvention: Japan in the Great War, 1914–1919 and World War I and the Triumph of a New Japan, 1919–1930 . His research examines Japan’s global entanglements during WWI, postwar diplomacy, and the Meiji Restoration’s global implications. He has held visiting professorships at Kyoto University, Swarthmore College, and others. Dickinson’s work bridges cultural, diplomatic, and political histories, emphasizing Japan’s role in shaping 20th-century Asia-Pacific relations. His grants include support from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Fulbright Commission, and Japan Foundation, alongside fellowships at Stanford’s Hoover Institution and Kyoto’s International Research Center for Japanese Studies. His courses include Modern Japanese History, East Asian Diplomacy, and Global History frameworks. Education: Ph.D. and M.A. in History (Yale University), M.A. in International Politics (Kyoto University). His research interests span Japanese imperialism, transnational networks, and the interplay between domestic politics and international relations. Current projects include a global history of modern Japan. Professional service includes co-directing the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies (2012–2019) and advising on East Asian studies initiatives. Professional contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, focusing on WWI’s impact on Japan, Meiji constitutionalism, and interwar diplomacy. His work highlights Japan’s contested path to modernity and its global connections. Office locations include College Hall and Williams Hall at Penn.
Jacques deLisle is the Stephen A. Cozen Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China, co-director of the Center for Asian Law, and director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. His expertise centers on contemporary Chinese law, politics, and U.S.-China relations, with a focus on legal reform, cross-strait relations, and Taiwan's international status. DeLisle’s research explores the interplay between law, governance, and international dynamics in China. His notable works analyze China’s engagement with international law, Taiwan’s diplomatic strategies, and the implications of U.S. policy toward the region. Recent publications include studies on China-India territorial disputes, political warfare tactics by authoritarian regimes, and the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party. His work frequently addresses geopolitical issues such as the South China Sea disputes, the impact of the pandemic on U.S.-China relations, and the legal frameworks governing cross-strait interactions. DeLisle has advised on legal reform initiatives in China and frequently engages in policy discussions, including as an expert witness on Chinese law and a consultant for development programs.
Nurfadzilah Yahaya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Yale University. She specializes in Southeast Asian, Indian Ocean, and Islamic world histories with a focus on legal, environmental, and infrastructural themes. Currently on leave for academic year 2024-25, her work examines colonial legal systems, environmental engineering projects, and transnational networks. Education: BA (2003) and MA (2006) from National University of Singapore; PhD (2012) in History from Princeton University. Previously taught at National University of Singapore and held the Mark Steinberg Weil Early Career Fellowship in Islamic Studies (2012-2015). Research interests include colonial legal pluralism, environmental history of land reclamation, and intersection of Islamic law with imperial governance. Her book Fluid Jurisdictions (2020) analyzes how colonial subjects navigated multiple legal systems in 19th-century Southeast Asia. Current book project ' Overflow ' explores British Empire land reclamation projects in the 20th century. Publications appear in Journal of Women’s History , Law and History Review , and Muslim World . Co-edited special issues on Islamic law and colonialism, and waqf endowments. Awards include Indonesia and Malay World Young Scholar Prize (2015). Teaches courses on Southeast Asian history, Islamic world studies, legal history, colonialism, and infrastructure history at Yale.
Jordan A. Sand is a Professor of Japanese History at Georgetown University's College, with a joint appointment in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Columbia University and a Master's in Architectural History from the University of Tokyo. His research explores Japanese modernity through the lens of urbanism, material culture, and everyday life. Key works include House and Home in Modern Japan (2004), Tokyo Vernacular (2013), and Teikoku Nihon no seikatsu kūkan (2015). His interdisciplinary research spans urban fires, food history (notably sushi and miso), and colonialism's material legacies. He co-directs the Asian Cities: Urban Settlers project, focusing on marginalized communities in Asian megacities. Recent publications address pandemic resilience, urban displacement, and the cultural history of mask-wearing. Education: Columbia University: Ph.D. in History (Year unspecified) University of Tokyo: M.E. in Architectural History Columbia University: B.A. (Year unspecified) Research Interests: Colonial urban spaces and material culture Comparative urban studies and informality Food as cultural and historical artifact His work bridges global and local histories, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods and collaborative urban studies. Current projects include analyzing Tokyo's postindustrial landscapes and rethinking Pacific historiography through trans-imperial networks.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Nile Green is the Ibn Khaldun Endowed Chair in World History at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served as founding director of the UCLA Program on Central Asia (2008-2016). His research bridges global history and Islamic studies, focusing on Muslim networks across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, and the Indian Ocean world. Specializes in inter-Asia and Indian Ocean studies Explores Sufism, Persian & Urdu travel writing, and Islamic print history Active on global Muslim interactions with non-Muslim societies His recent articles examine topics spanning Islamicate linguistics , transcultural art history , and historiographical methods , particularly in India, Afghanistan, and China. Earlier works established connections between colonial infrastructure and Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj), while his 2016 book The Love of Strangers documented early Middle Eastern students in Europe. Scientific awards include: Guggenheim Fellowship Luce/ACLS Fellow in Religion, Journalism & International Affairs Albert Hourani Book Award (MESA) Ananda K. Coomaraswamy Book Award (AAS) Bentley Book Prize (World History Association) Sir George Staunton Prize (Royal Asiatic Society)
Prasenjit Duara is the Oscar L. Tang Family Distinguished Professor of East Asian Studies and Professor of History at Duke University. He previously held roles as Professor and Chair of History at the University of Chicago (1991–2008) and Raffles Professor of Humanities at National University of Singapore (2008–2015). His research focuses on East Asian history, global modernity, nationalism, and environmental sustainability, with notable works like The Crisis of Global Modernity . He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oslo (2017) and served as President of the Association of Asian Studies (2019–2020). Education: PhD in Chinese History (Harvard, 1983), MPhil (Jawaharlal Nehru University), MA/BA (University of Delhi). His research explores intersections of religion, environment, and political systems. Recent articles address biocultural diversity in Monsoon Asia and maritime networks. Awards include Fairbank and Levenson Prizes for Culture, Power and the State . Advising roles are currently inactive, but he leads Duke's Asian-Pacific Studies Institute. His work critiques modernity's crises and advocates for sustainable futures through cross-cultural dialogue.
Philip Thai is an Associate Professor of History and Asian Studies at Northeastern University and Director of the Global Asian Studies Program. He holds an affiliation as an Associate in Research at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. His interdisciplinary research focuses on Modern China and East Asia, emphasizing legal, economic, and diplomatic history. Dr. Thai earned his PhD in History from Stanford University (2013). His current book project explores Cold War-era underground economies across Greater China, while his earlier work includes China’s War on Smuggling: Law, Economic Life, and the Making of the Modern State (Columbia University Press, 2018). His research has been supported by major institutions including the ACLS, Harvard Radcliffe Institute, American Philosophical Society, and the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. Key awards include the Business History Conference’s Philip Scranton Best Article Prize (2023) and an ACLS Frederick Burkhardt Fellowship (2022–23). Thai’s work bridges historical analysis with contemporary relevance, addressing topics like global health governance and Sino-American relations. His teaching and research programs emphasize transnational and interdisciplinary approaches to Asian Studies.
