Meet Dr Minran Liu, lecturer in the School of Political Science and International Studies at The University of Queensland. His teaching and research focus on Asia-Pacific security, East Asian politics, Chinese politics and strategy.
What inspired you to pursue your academic career in your field?
I first got into international relations simply because I found it more interesting than anything else I was studying at the time. Doing a BA gave me the chance to try a lot of very different subjects, but IR really stood out. Later on, I went on to do a PhD in the field because I genuinely enjoy reading and writing about these issues, and I’ve been working in the discipline ever since.
Could you describe your current research project and its potential impact
My research focuses on Asia-Pacific security and East Asian Politics, especially the relationships between major powers in the region. It's an area I find important, especially now, as the existing regional orders are being challenged, and many things that we’ve taken-for-granted are shifting.
What is your favourite among your recent publications?
I’ve just finished a book titled 'Politics of State Identity and East Asian Regionalism: Perspectives of China and Japan'. It'll be out soon. It's based on my PhD thesis, which I spent years working on, so it's definitely a personal favourite, for now.
What are you looking forward to most in your new role at POLSIS?
I’m really excited to bring my perspective on international relations into the teaching and research here.
I’m looking forward to developing new courses I’m passionate about and finally writing on topics I’ve been wanting to explore for a long time.
What’s your favourite part of the UQ campus?
The campus is beautiful, though, to be honest, I haven’t had the chance to explore much beyond the buildings where I teach. But what really stands out to me is the people and the culture. Everyone I met has been incredibly supportive and friendly, which matters more than anything else.