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Dr. Ed Griffith
Course Leader, Asia-Pacific Studies
School of Language and Global Studies
Adelphi Building, AB152
+44 (0) 1772 89 4245
Ed Griffith’s research interests are mainly focussed on the international relations of East Asia, in particular the Sino-Japanese relationship and China’s approach to its own changing role in the region. He is interested in exploring how established IR theories can be adapted to deepen our understanding of China’s behaviour in developing its relationships with neighbouring countries.
Full Profile
After a varied career that included pub management and computer sales, a voluntary teaching position in China gave Ed a taste for all things Chinese and a BA in International Relations put that into some perspective. A fascination with the Sino-Japanese relationship led him to pursue Masters degrees in both Chinese and Japanese Studies before embarking on his PhD, which examined the response of China to the Yasukuni Shrine controversy during Koizumi Junichiro’s tenure.
Ed joined UCLan in September 2014 as course leader for the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific Studies. He is continuing to work on research into the Sino-Japanese relationship and different perspectives on East Asian international relations more generally.
Ed had an article published on The Conversation in April 2018 about the Korean peace process entitled ‘A Korean peace process is underway – but it still depends on the US and China’
Qualifications
- Ph.D. East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, 2014
- M.A. Japanese Studies, University of Leeds, 2010
- M.A. Chinese Studies, SOAS, 2008
- B.A. (Hons.) International Relations & Global Politics, Nottingham Trent University, 2007
Research Activities
- Sino-Japanese Relations
- International Relations in East Asia
Teaching Activities and Responsibilities
- AI3001 Asia-Pacific International Relations
- AI3000 Development and Change in the Asia-Pacific
- AI2001 Cultural Transformation and Cross-Cultural Encounters in the Asia-Pacific
PhD supervision
- Priscilla Jung Kim. “United States’ Track II Diplomacy during the Second North Korean Nuclear Crisis (2002-2008)”
Membership of Professional and Learned Bodies
- European Association for Chinese Studies
- European Association for Japanese Studies
- Sino-Japanese Relations Research Network
- White Rose East Asia Centre
- International Institute for Korean Studies at UCLan