Xinyuan Dai

Xinyuan Dai is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with cross-appointments at the European Union Center, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Center for Global Studies. His work focuses on international relations theory, international institutions, and international law, examining how global governance structures shape state behavior and policy outcomes.

He received his PhD from The University of Chicago in 2000, establishing a foundation for his research on institutional efficacy and compliance mechanisms in international systems.

Dai's research interests center on theoretical and empirical analyses of international institutions, with particular emphasis on human rights compliance, regional integration dynamics in Asia-Pacific, and challenges to the liberal international order. His work investigates the strategic use of institutions by rising powers like China, the impact of domestic politics on treaty adherence, and the evolving architecture of global governance amid geopolitical competition. Methodologically, he bridges political science theory with legal frameworks to dissect institutional design and effectiveness.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on institutional resilience amid power transitions, with recurring themes including the 'compliance gap' in human rights regimes, the role of new democracies in treaty commitments, and Asia-Pacific institutional development. While predominantly rooted in international relations, his 2022 oncology publication indicates interdisciplinary collaboration beyond political science boundaries. His scholarship demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical innovation and policy-relevant empirical investigations.