Samuli Seppänen

Samuli Seppänen is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law in The Chinese University of Hong Kong, specializing in Chinese legal studies, law and development, and public international law. His work critically examines ideological dimensions of Chinese legal thought and its global implications.

• Education: S.J.D. from Harvard Law School, LL.M. from Helsinki University
• Professional Qualifications: Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York

Seppänen's research focuses on Chinese legal ideology, authoritarian governance models, and international law's developmental applications. He analyzes how China's legal frameworks interact with global norms while maintaining distinctive rhetorical and institutional characteristics.

His recent publications demonstrate expertise in legal rhetoric, party-state dynamics, and illiberal legalism. Key themes include the CCP's intra-party regulations, ideological crisis responses, and the Belt and Road Initiative's legal dimensions.

Scientific Awards and Fellowships:

• ASLA-Fulbright Fellow
• Harvard Law School Graduate Program Fellow
• Kennedy School of Governance Teaching Fellow
• Erik Castrén Institute Research Fellow

Seppänen received a General Research Fund grant (2018/19) for his project on reversing global legal knowledge flows. Previously, he worked as an international law associate in London and as a junior professional officer for the World Health Organization, maintaining affiliations with institutions including Harvard University and University of Oxford.