I am a Ph.D. Candidate at University of California, San Diego majoring in Political Science. I study the foundations of autocratic resilience, with a particular focus on how contemporary autocrats navigate rising global and domestic pressures for democracy by manipulating democratic institutions and norms. My research is geographically centered on East and Southeast Asia, with specialized expertise in China and Vietnam. Additionally, I also study the international relations of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly from a historical perspective. I frequently revisit the region's history to seek for insights that may potentially explain contemporary regional dynamics and developments.

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I hail from Da Lat, Vietnam, but later moved to Beppu, Japan, where I obtained a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Peace Studies from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. In 2019, I became a Yenching scholar and obtained a Master in Law degree (Politics and International Relations) from Yenching Academy, Peking University two years later. During my time at Peking University, I was also a Baixian scholar affiliated with Baixian Asia Institute, working on research projects studying historical narratives and historical reconciliation in East an Southeast Asia. I have been residing in San Diego since 2021. In 2024, I was awarded the Master of Arts in Political Science by UC San Diego. 

 

While working on my academic publications, I find joy in contributing to popular outlets such as The Diplomat Magazine and East Asia Forum.

 

If you want to get to know more about me as a person, please visit my Personal page.