Niki Alsford is Professor of Anthropology and Human Geography, and Director for the Institutes for the Study of the Asia Pacific (ISAP), and the Institute for Area and Migration Studies (AMIS) at the University of Central Lancashire. He is a Research Associate at the Centre of Taiwan Studies at SOAS and an Associate Member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. In 2023, he was selected as the Ewha Global Fellow at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. Alsford's research focuses primarily on Taiwan, Korea, and the Pacific Islands. He is the book series editor for the Taiwan Series at BRILL, the Korean series at Routledge, and a new series on Asia Pacific Cultures, Communities, and Landscapes at Palgrave Macmillan. Alsford is the author of Taiwan Lives: A Socio-Political History, published by the University of Washington Press in 2024.
Alsford’s research focuses primarily on comparative anthropology within the Asia Pacific region. Chief among these is an engagement with Austronesian migration and the maritime cultures of Pacific islands. His present work is bridging a cognitive divide in environmental discussions between Indigenous knowledge and climate science. Alsford is a registered… Read more
Occupation: Professor of Anthropology and Human Geography
Countries of expertise: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Japan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, North Korea, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tuvalu
C. Julia Huang is until recently a Professor of Anthropology at National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan. Huang’s specialty includes religion, gender, and migration. She has done fieldwork in Taiwan, Malaysia, the United States, and shorter periods of research in Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and China. Huang has published articles in the Journal of Asian Studies, Ethnology, Positions, Nova Religio, the Eastern Buddhist, and the European Journal for East Asian Studies. She is the author of Charisma and Compassion: Cheng Yen and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Movement (Harvard University Press, 2009) and a co-author of Religion and Charity: The Social Life of Goodness in Chinese Societies (co-authored with Weller and Wu)(Cambridge University Press, 2017).
Occupation: Adjunct Faculty, DePaul University
Formerly Professor of Anthropology at National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan
Countries of expertise: China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam
Dohyun Lim is a trusted East Asia country analyst whose work provides deep, clear- eyed insight into Korea’s political dynamics, regional security, and human rights challenges. His practical expertise and multilingual skills help clients navigate sensitive inter-Korean issues and shifting policy trends in Northeast Asia. Dohyun’s clear research, strong cultural understanding, and ability to deliver nuanced, actionable intelligence make him an excellent partner for governments, NGOs, and private clients. His commitment to objective, balanced analysis adds unique value for any organization seeking reliable country expertise in one of the world’s most complex geopolitical landscapes.
Occupation: Dohyun Lim is a seasoned East Asia political analyst and risk
consultant with more than a decade of experience delivering indepth research, policy briefings, and socio-political analysis on
Korea, Japan, and regional security dynamics. He has advised
think tanks, international NGOs, and private sector clients on
governance trends, inter-Korean relations, human rights, and
regional conflict risks. Dohyun’s strength lies in combining
rigorous field research with actionable strategic insights for
clients operating in complex East Asian contexts. He is a
skilled communicator and cross-cultural bridge-builder, providing clear and nuanced country intelligence for decision-makers.
Countries of expertise: Japan, North Korea, South Korea
Alexander Parini is a dynamic educator, policy communicator, and regional expert on U.S.-Asia relations with significant teaching and advisory experience across Vietnam and China. As a lecturer, columnist, and editor, he excels in translating complex global affairs into accessible narratives for students, policymakers, and international audiences. His written work and public commentary featured by My Asia Connections and BBC Vietnamese have examined education diplomacy, trade shifts, and post-pandemic geopolitics, making him a valuable contributor to discourse on Asia’s evolving regional role. With deep academic credentials from SOAS and Peking University, and a solid grounding in U.S. and UK institutional contexts, he represents a rare blend of academic, editorial, and intercultural insight. Alexander’s ability to bridge Western and Asian perspectives through public speaking, writing, and classroom leadership marks him as an influential figure in global education and policy circles.
Occupation: Alexander Parini is an international relations lecturer, policy
writer, and cross-cultural communication expert specializing in
Southeast and East Asia, particularly Vietnam and China. With
over a decade of experience in teaching, public diplomacy, and
editorial leadership, he has built a multi-faceted career that
bridges higher education, U.S.-Asia policy dialogue, and
intercultural engagement. Alexander currently lectures at the
University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City and
serves as Editor-in-Chief of My Asia Connections, a platform
for global education and geopolitical commentary. He has led
education-focused delegations, conducted analysis for
USAID’s LinkSME Project, and published widely on… Read more Countries of expertise: Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, North Korea, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam
Dr. Rusenko is an expert on the transhistorical role of public policy in producing and maintaining structural inequalities, particularly as relates to poverty and homelessness in Japan and Malaysia. In her academic research, she employs historical and ethnographic methods to investigate the development, implementation, and street-level impacts of historical and contemporary policies across multiple fields including housing, employment, welfare, policing, identification, urban planning, and property rights. She has 14 years of fieldwork experience in Japan and 5 years of fieldwork experience in Malaysia.
Occupation: Independent scholar
Countries of expertise: Japan, Malaysia