Pieter W.G. Zhao

Pieter W.G. Zhao is a PhD candidate and lecturer at the Department of History, Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research focuses on 21st-century maritime warfare and security, emphasizing nonmilitary and irregular actors in the maritime domain. He holds dual Master's degrees in History (Cum Laude) and International Security from Sciences Po Paris, with studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. His expertise spans international security, geopolitics, and the Indo-Pacific region. Zhao has published in journals like Naval War College Review and Militaire Spectator.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in History, Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Master of Arts in History (Cum Laude), Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Master of Arts in International Security, Sciences Po Paris (with studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS)

Research Interests: Maritime security, Indo-Pacific geopolitics, irregular warfare, naval strategy, and historical dialogue on strategic theory. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary security challenges, particularly China's maritime ambitions and private security actors.

Awards:

• PhD in the Humanities Grant (NWO, 2024)

Activities & Grants: Participated in the Maritime Leaders’ Programme 2025 and delivered invited talks on Indo-Pacific security. His research is supported by NWO funding. He contributes to the ERMeCHS GFCP cluster (Global Futures, Colonial Pasts).

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Department of History's research clusters focusing on maritime and colonial studies.