Lavina Lee

Associate Professor Lavina Lee serves as Discipline Chair of Security Studies at Macquarie University's School of International Studies. She concurrently holds non-resident fellowships at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington and the US Studies Centre in Sydney. Previously, she served on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Council (2020–2023) and led the Institute for Regional Security (2018–2020). Her expertise spans Indo-Pacific security, Chinese influence in Southeast Asia, and nuclear non-proliferation.

Educated at the University of NSW (Commerce/Laws), King's College London (MA International Peace and Security), and the University of Sydney (PhD International Relations), her research integrates academic and policy approaches. She has led Australian government-funded projects on Quad dynamics, Chinese influence, and Indian foreign policy. Recent publications address Taiwan Strait deterrence, Australia's nuclear modernization concerns, and Japan-Australia security coordination.

Dr Lee's awards include the 2008 Australian Political Studies Association Prize for Best PhD Dissertation. She regularly contributes policy commentary to outlets like The Australian Financial Review and The Lowy Interpreter, emphasizing democratic resilience against authoritarian expansionism. Teaching includes courses on strategic thinking and modern warfare, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on global security challenges.