Laura Southgate

Laura Southgate is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University's School of Languages and Social Sciences. Previously, she held positions at Cranfield University and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Her research focuses on Southeast Asian international relations, ASEAN's role, sovereignty dynamics, and governance. She holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Otago (2015), an MA from the University of Liverpool (2009), and a BA in Law and Politics from the same institution (2008). She is Deputy Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE).

Her key research projects include US and Chinese foreign policy in Southeast Asia, responses to the South China Sea dispute, and governance in hybrid regimes. She received the 2024 ESRC New Investigator Grant for a project on Disaster Impact and Regime Types in Southeast Asia. Notable publications include her 2019 book *ASEAN Resistance to Sovereignty Violation* and articles in journals like *Political Science* and *Asia Policy*.

Teaching focuses on international relations theories, security studies, and global governance. She supervises PhD students in Southeast Asian politics and security. Recent publications highlight trends in Southeast Asian regional stability, great power competition, and regime resilience amid geopolitical challenges.

• Education:
  • PhD International Relations, University of Otago (2012–2015)
  • MA International Relations and Security, University of Liverpool (2008–2009)
  • BA Law and Politics, University of Liverpool (2006–2008)
• Awards:
  • ESRC Grant (2024–2026)
• Grants/Projects:
  • Disaster Impact and Regime Type in Southeast Asia
  • US/China Foreign Policy Dynamics