Katherine Morton

Katherine Morton is the Schwarzman College Professor of Global Affairs, holding a distinguished academic role focused on China’s evolving international dynamics and global governance. She also serves as an External Associate at the China Centre and Associate Fellow at Chatham House, reinforcing her expertise in policy dialogues and international affairs. Her research examines China’s domestic and international motivations, particularly regarding its foreign policy implications and the study of International Relations.

Previously, she held the Chair in China’s International Relations at the University of Sheffield and served as Associate Dean for Research at the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific. She has held visiting fellowships across leading institutions including Peking University and Columbia University, alongside Senior Membership at St Antony’s College, Oxford.

Morton’s research interests center on global governance, environmental policy (including climate change and food security), maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and transnational civil society engagement. Her work bridges academic rigor with policy relevance, addressing contemporary challenges such as environmental security and the role of rising powers in global leadership.

Her scholarship consistently explores intersections between China’s domestic policies and its global engagements, with recent articles emphasizing climate change mitigation strategies, food security frameworks, and the geopolitical complexities of maritime boundaries. Her awards reflect both academic and institutional recognition, highlighting her contributions to bridging academic research and policy impact.

Through policy dialogues and transnational partnerships, Morton actively contributes to shaping narratives on China’s evolving global role, with a particular focus on environmental and security challenges in Asia-Pacific contexts.