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Dr Kingsley Edney is an Associate Professor in International Relations of China at the University of Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies. He holds a PhD (International Relations) and MA (Political Science) from the University of Melbourne, along with a BA(Hons) in Politics and Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington. Fluent in Chinese and with experience living in Shanghai and Beijing, his research focuses on China's non-material international security dynamics, including cultural diplomacy, propaganda, and ideological strategies to manage global information flows. His expertise includes Chinese soft power, the role of ideology in foreign policy, and the intersection of domestic political cohesion with international security objectives. He teaches undergraduate and master's courses on China's domestic and international politics. Current postgraduate researchers under his supervision are Jinru Huang, Yanyu Lu, and Hengfeng Zhao. Edney's research outputs span topics like public perceptions of China in the Anglosphere, Chinese youth nationalism, and environmental governance. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of China's evolving global engagement strategies. He maintains active academic engagement through platforms like Google Scholar and ORCID.

• International Relations
• Chinese Politics
• Soft Power
• +4 more

Patricia M. Thornton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Merton College. She specializes in Chinese politics, focusing on state-society interactions, authoritarian governance, and the legacies of the Cultural Revolution. Her research explores institutions, practices, and networks shaping governance in China, including works like *Disciplining the State* (2007) and *Red Shadows* (2017). She has held leadership roles at Oxford, including Chair of the Sub-Faculty of Politics and International Relations, and served on editorial boards such as *The China Quarterly*. Her work addresses contemporary challenges like authoritarian resilience, social control mechanisms, and political dissent. Research Interests: - State formation and governance in China - Authoritarian political systems - Memory and legacies of the Cultural Revolution - Party-state dynamics and social movements - Comparative political institutions Publications highlight themes like economic governance, social movements, and policy implementation. She has supervised numerous PhD students, many now leading academics in Asia-Pacific studies. Her contributions to understanding China’s political evolution are complemented by media commentary on current events, including analysis of Xi Jinping’s governance strategies and societal trends. Awards: Merton College Fellowship Key Projects: Edited *To Govern China* (2017) and *Red Shadows* (2017)

• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Political Sociology
• +4 more

Dr Zeno Leoni is a Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London, based at the Joint Services and Staff College (JSCSC) of the Defence Academy of the UK. He is also an affiliate of the Lau China Institute, co-convening their policy brief series. His research focuses on US and Chinese grand strategies, US-China relations, AUKUS, and world order, with recent publications including a forthcoming book on the new Cold War. He leads a research group studying middle-power diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and has advised Italian and UK government bodies on geopolitical trends. Teaching: Delivers courses on China for the Higher Command and Staff Course (HCSC) at the JSCSC, and lectures on International Security Studies, Airpower, and International Political Economy. Additionally teaches at Italy’s IASD defence institute. Key Research Areas: Specializes in US-China competition, AUKUS dynamics, and the evolving Indo-Pacific order. His work bridges academia and policy, with contributions to UK Parliament hearings on AUKUS and US defense policies. Leads research on middle powers’ strategies amid great power competition. Professional Activities: Executive Director of ITSS Verona, a non-profit focused on international security. Active in King’s research groups including Contemporary Marxism, Environmental Security, and Economic Conflict & Competition. Frequently contributes to media analyses for outlets like the Financial Times and BBC. Awards: While no specific prizes are listed, his extensive policy engagement and academic output reflect recognition in strategic studies circles. Collaborations include work with the EU, UAE, and other middle powers on geopolitical strategy.

• US-China relations
• Grand Strategy
• AUKUS
• +7 more

Mark Aleksanyan is a Professor of Accounting and Finance at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School, serving as Associate Head of the Accounting and Finance subject group since 2004. He holds a PhD in Accounting and Finance from the University of Glasgow (2004), an MPhil in International Finance (2000), and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Economics from Yerevan State University (1997). Prior to academia, he worked as a financial analyst, economist at the Armenian Ministry of Finance, and assistant to the Prime Minister of Armenia (1996–1999). Research Interests Focuses on relationships between market actors (sell-side/buy-side analysts, investor relations officers), equity valuation, corporate reporting, and empirical accounting. His work explores technology’s impact (e.g., generative AI) on financial information practices and regulatory frameworks like MiFID II. Current projects include analyzing the role of state visits in cross-border M&A and media effects on insider trading. Grants & Funding Received grants totaling over £100k from bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (2019), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2018), and the Adam Smith Research Foundation (2010). Teaching Teaches Financial Analysis & Equity Valuation (MSc), Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation (BSc), and PhD masterclasses. Previously instructed International Corporate Finance and MBA courses. Editorial Roles Serves as Associate Editor for Qualitative Research in Financial Markets and on editorial boards of Review of Business and Economics Studies and Behavioral Research .

• Equity valuation
• Corporate reporting
• Financial market actors
• +3 more

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)

• African Political Thought
• International Relations
• Decoloniality
• +4 more

Dr. Olivia Cheung is a Lecturer in Politics at the Department of European & International Studies, King’s College London. She holds multiple affiliations including China Fellow at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Affiliate of the Lau China Institute, and Michael Moran Associate Editor for Government and Opposition . Her academic background includes an MPhil and DPhil (PhD) in Politics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Swire Scholar and Rhodes Scholar. Prior to her current position, she served as a Research Fellow at SOAS China Institute and Teaching Fellow at the University of Warwick, directing the MA in International Politics and East Asia. Her research focuses on Chinese politics and foreign policy, Xi Jinping Thought, comparative political leadership, international orders, and authoritarianism. Key projects explore domestic-political intersections in China’s foreign strategy and its global rise. She has contributed to prominent journals like China Quarterly , Third World Quarterly , and Pacific Affairs , with her work featured in The Economist , New York Times , and BBC documentaries. Dr. Cheung co-authored The Political Thought of Xi Jinping (Oxford UP, 2024), a Financial Times-recognized title, and Factional-Ideological Conflicts in Chinese Politics (Amsterdam UP, 2023). She is also working on a forthcoming book on China’s global strategy. Her awards include the Swire and Rhodes scholarships, reflecting her academic excellence. She actively advises media and participates in strategic dialogues (Tracks 1.5/2), and her research on China’s international strategy is part of the Geoeconomics and Technology Initiative at King’s College London.

• Chinese Politics
• International Relations
• Xi Jinping Thought
• +3 more

Professor Bingchun Meng is a Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She co-directs the LSE-Fudan Global Public Policy Research Centre and serves as Director of the LSE PhD Academy and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). Her expertise spans political communication, communication governance, gender studies, and Chinese media. She holds a PhD in Mass Communication from Penn State University (2006), a Master’s in Comparative Literature from Nanjing University (2000), and a Bachelor’s in Chinese Language and Literature from Nanjing University (1997). Prior to LSE, she was a post-doctoral fellow at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. Research Focus: Gender and media, political economy of media industries, comparative media studies, and AI industries in China. Professor Meng’s recent work includes her monograph The Politics of Chinese Media: Consensus and Contestation (Palgrave, 2018) and an upcoming book on AI industries in China under contract with Columbia University Press. She has held roles such as Senior Fellow with the Global Governance Futures 2035 initiative (2020–2021). Her teaching and supervision focus on advanced research training, particularly through her leadership in LSE’s PhD programs and ESRC DTP.

• Political Communication
• Communication Governance
• Gender Studies
• +3 more

Dr Xin Xin is a Reader in International Communications at the University of Westminster , affiliated with the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and the Contemporary China Centre . Her academic career spans over three decades, combining journalism, scholarship, and policy engagement. She previously held the RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) and UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) , focusing on China's soft power, media transformations, and digital labor. Educational Background: BA in Russian Language and Literature (Beijing International Studies University, 1994) MA in International Journalism (University of Westminster, 2003) PhD in Media and Communication (University of Westminster, 2006) Research Focus: Dr Xin's work bridges the political economy of Chinese media , global communications , soft power strategies , sociology of journalism , and grassroots digital practices . She critically examines how marketization, globalization, and digitalization reshape legacy media like Xinhua News Agency, alongside state-corporate soft power deployments and grassroots digital activism. Recent Publications highlight trends in AI-driven journalism , digital labor , party journalism modernization , and soft power analysis . Her articles span empirical studies of Xinhua's financialization and party journalism, comparative public diplomacy, and longitudinal analyses of digital inclusion in BRICS nations. Scientific Awards: RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) Founding Editorial Board Member of Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture and Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Supervision: Dr Xin currently supervises PhD students on topics including Sino-African journalism, Chinese diaspora identity on YouTube, and gender dynamics in Chinese social media. She co-organized 11 international doctoral summer schools and served as second supervisor for over ten PhD candidates. Activities: She has delivered lectures at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, University of Birmingham, and Tsinghua University. Her consultancy work includes Oxford Analytica and the Media Diversity Institute, with media citations in Al Jazeera , NBC News , and The Washington Post .

• Political Economy of Chinese Media
• Global Communications
• Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy
• +11 more

Dr Oscar Zhou serves as a Lecturer in Media Studies and Director of Studies for Planning, Culture and Environment (PGT) at the School of Arts, University of Kent, following prior academic appointments at the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, and University of Hertfordshire. His scholarly trajectory includes a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Sussex and a Masters in Globalisation and Communications from the University of Leicester. His educational credentials: PhD in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sussex Masters in Globalisation and Communications, University of Leicester Undergraduate training in communication and technical science Zhou's research critically examines intersections of digital culture, gender/sexuality studies, and media technologies, with concentrated focus on LGBTQ+ communities' engagements in transnational contexts. Employing digital and algorithmic ethnography, he investigates queer digital cultures, critical health communication, and platform politics—particularly analyzing how algorithms reconfigure power dynamics around gender, sexuality, and youth wellbeing in Chinese digital ecosystems like Douyin/TikTok. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent exploration of Chinese digital media landscapes, emphasizing queer visibility on platforms such as Douyin and Zhihu, danmei fan cultures, and gender politics in television. His work also addresses digital activism, influencer economies, and geopolitical representations in fandom, demonstrating methodological innovation through short-video platform analytics and participatory youth research. Professional recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy As an active PhD supervisor, Zhou seeks candidates with qualitative and ethnographic expertise in digital culture, particularly welcoming projects on Chinese media, algorithmic governance, and queer health communication. He chairs the UK-China Media and Cultural Studies Association while contributing to the Centre for Health and Medical Humanities, currently leading collaborative research on short-video apps' societal impacts through the lens of gender, sexuality, and youth wellbeing.

• Queer studies
• Gender and sexuality studies
• Digital communication
• +9 more

Dr. Aykut Ozturk is a Lecturer in Political & International Studies at the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Political Sciences. He joined in 2020 after earning his PhD in Political Science from Syracuse University. His research focuses on democracy/authoritarianism, political identities, and online survey methods. He teaches courses on authoritarian political communication and authoritarianism. Education: PhD in Political Science, Syracuse University Research Interests: His work spans public opinion (political identities, polarization), comparative politics (democracy/authoritarianism dynamics, Turkish politics), and methodological innovations in online surveys/experiments. He explores how authoritarian regimes sustain support through propaganda and emotional appeals. Grants & Collaborations: GCID Small Research Grant: 'Fighting Disinformation' (collaborator: Candas Ayan et al.) Research on Kurdish political participation with Dr. Sevinc Ozturk Teaching: Authoritarian Political Communication (PGT) Issues in Authoritarianism (Honors) Advising: Currently supervising Candas Ayan (de-citizenization in Turkey/India) and Siyuan Zhang (gendered expectations on Chinese social media).

• Political Identities
• Democracy and Authoritarianism
• Political Communication
• +5 more

Shuaishuai Wang is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture at the University of Manchester, specializing in platform studies, critical algorithm studies, and queer media. His research explores queer communities' digital presence across platforms like Douyin, TikTok, and Blued, with a focus on algorithmic governance, data-driven social media operations, and geopolitical-economic contexts. He holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Amsterdam and previously served as Assistant Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Lecturer at the University of Amsterdam. Shuaishuai leads two university-funded projects: 'Douyin Data Economies' (100,000 CNY) and 'Algorithmic Configurations of Sexuality' (30,000 Euros). His work appears in journals like Big Data & Society , Television & New Media , and Social Media + Society , and he contributes to media outlets including The Conversation and Sixth Tone. His research interests emphasize the interplay between algorithms, queer identities, and platform economies. Recent studies analyze Douyin's shift to e-commerce, LGBTQ+ visibility challenges in algorithmic systems, and the political dimensions of TikTok. He has also examined business models of LGBTQ platforms and the impact of censorship on digital queer spaces. Key grants include projects investigating data economies and algorithmic configurations of sexuality, reflecting his commitment to understanding technology's societal implications. Collaborations span global institutions, with notable work on misinformation, playful political performances, and transgressive digital cultures.

• Platform studies
• Critical algorithm studies
• Queer media
• +3 more

Dr Nikki Ji-Yeon Lee is a Senior Lecturer in Asian Media at Nottingham Trent University's Department of Humanities, School of Social Sciences. With prior academic appointments at Yonsei University and Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, her career bridges UK and Korean academic spheres. She co-founded the London Korean Film Festival in 2001 and maintains active industry connections as a former independent documentary filmmaker and film event interpreter. Her educational background includes: BA and MA in Sociology from Yonsei University, Seoul MA in TV Documentary from Goldsmiths College, University of London PhD in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths College, University of London Lee's research specializes in transnational East Asian cinema with emphases on Korean and Chinese film industries, film festival circuits, and cinematic soundscapes. Her work critically examines globalization's impact on film production, auteur branding, audience reception, and co-production models, particularly investigating how cultural specificity navigates global markets. Current projects explore Korean film sound design, China-Korea media collaborations, and East Asian television drama formats. Analysis of her 2018-2025 publications reveals evolving research trajectories: early work focused on film festival politics and auteur studies (e.g., Park Chan-wook), while recent scholarship increasingly engages with sound studies and occult genres in Korean cinema. Her output consistently bridges industrial analysis with cultural criticism, demonstrating expertise in both Korean cinematic traditions and transnational media flows. Lee has significantly contributed to academic discourse through editorial projects including co-editing The Korean Cinema Book (BFI/Palgrave Macmillan) and Japanese Cinema (Routledge). Her publications in Cinema Journal and Screen establish her as a key voice in East Asian film studies, with Korea Film Council (KOFIC) recognizing her expertise through commissioned research on UK distribution patterns.

• Transnational Film Studies
• East Asian Cinema
• Film Festivals
• +5 more

Dr Ferran Perez Mena serves as Assistant Professor in International Relations of East Asia at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs. His academic profile centers on transnational political dynamics between Chinese and Western non-state actors, with emphasis on elite networks and knowledge production in global politics. His research program investigates three interconnected domains: transnational elite connections between Chinese and Western non-state actors; formation of non-Western transnational elite networks; and relationships between Chinese IR scholars, the state, and conceptualizations of world order. Methodologically grounded in International Historical Sociology, his work examines Chinese international thought across historical periods including the Republican era, Maoism, and contemporary 'Chinese School of IR' frameworks. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on East Asian political thought through historical-materialist lenses, with increasing emphasis on knowledge production mechanisms and non-Western IR theory development since 2019. His output spans monographs, journal articles in International Politics and Sociología Histórica, and policy-oriented contributions in major Spanish and Portuguese media outlets. Scientific awards and recognition: British Academy grant (2024) for research on Chinese elites and knowledge production ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship offer (declined) Open University of Catalonia Postdoctoral Fellowship offer (declined) His public intellectual engagement includes regular contributions to El País, La Vanguardia, and Publico analyzing East Asian geopolitical developments. Current research trajectories indicate deepening investigation into transnational elite networks and the political economy of knowledge production in Sino-Western relations.

• International Relations
• Transnational Elite Networks
• Chinese International Thought
• +4 more

Dr Simon Curtis is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the Politics and International Relations department, the Institute for Sustainability, and the Centre for the Study of Global Power Competition (CGPC). He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE) and previously served as an Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of East Anglia. His research focuses on global cities, geopolitical competition, and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with notable works including Global Cities and Global Order (Oxford UP, 2018) and the forthcoming The Belt and Road City (Yale UP, 2024). His scholarly contributions span international governance, urbanization, and global power dynamics, with publications in journals like Global Studies Quarterly . He has been recognized with the 2018 Hedley Bull Prize from the European Consortium for Political Research. His current work explores how cities shape global economic governance and geopolitical rivalries between major powers like the US and China. Dr Curtis is also engaged with sustainability research through the Institute for Sustainability, addressing urban resilience and global environmental challenges. Key research themes include the role of infrastructure in geopolitical transitions, the evolving global order, and the intersection of urbanization with international law. His recent collaborations include co-authored works on BRI urbanization strategies and hegemonic stability theory. Dr Curtis’s teaching and advisory roles reflect his commitment to bridging theoretical insights with real-world policy challenges in global urban development.

• International Relations
• Global Governance
• Urban Studies
• +3 more

Blake Miller is an Assistant Professor of Computational Social Science in the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics (LSE), affiliated with the Data Science Institute. Their research focuses on computational methods applied to political communication in authoritarian regimes, particularly China, and the intersection of social media with political violence and identity politics. They hold a PhD from the University of Michigan (2018) and conducted postdoctoral research at Dartmouth College. Key substantive areas include: China's surveillance-driven security state and information control mechanisms Political mobilization through moral outrage and outgroup targeting Technological adaptations in authoritarian governance Methodological expertise spans machine learning, text analysis, and fairness in AI applications. Their book project Platforms and Power examines how authoritarian states delegate censorship to private platforms. Teaching focuses on quantitative text analysis and machine learning in political contexts. Research outputs include influential work on: Censorship patterns during China's zero-COVID protests Moral-emotional triggers for violence support Evaluation of active learning algorithms for text labeling Blake's work has been featured in The Washington Post , China File , and the CSIS Pekingology Podcast. They maintain an active presence in interdisciplinary research communities.

• Computational Social Science
• Text Analysis
• Social Media Politics
• +7 more