The East Asian Politics Lab provides paid opportunities for Smith College students to conduct research with Dr. Newland on the politics of mainland China and Taiwan. Students have participated in research on local government responsiveness in Taiwan; local officials’ use of social media to communicate with citizens; subnational diplomacy between the US, Taiwan, and mainland China;  and patterns of ethnic representation in local government in mainland China. If you are a current Smith student and are interested in getting involved in the lab, please contact Dr. Newland (snewland [AT] smith [DOT] edu). Most lab participants have taken prior courses on East Asian politics and have at least an intermediate Chinese reading level (simplified or traditional characters). The lab is currently funded by a Humanities and Social Sciences Research Lab pilot grant from Smith College.

Current Lab Members

Phaedra Miller
Phaedra is a senior majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese track) with a government minor. She has been studying Chinese since a NSLI-Y gap year abroad in China prior to coming to Smith, and recently spent a semester in Taiwan. She hopes to continue her studies in mainland China after undergrad. In her free time, she is an avid reader and fountain pen enthusiast.

 

 

 

 

Gaela Stewart
Gaela is a second semester junior from Fort Collins, Colorado double majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures and Quantitative Economics. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working in the Smith Special Collections, DJ-ing on WOZQ, and hiking.

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole Teo
As a second-semester senior majoring in Government, Nicole Teo is interested in U.S. diplomatic and political engagement with East Asia, and the institutional power of the federal judiciary in America. When not in class, she can be found climbing at the nearest gym or exploring new recipes and cuisines.

 

 

 

 

Jinghan Wang

Jinghan Wang is a senior at Smith College majoring in Government and Quantitative Economics. She is interested in international law and gender in politics. Outside of school and research, she enjoys reading, jogging, and singing while playing her little wooden guitar.

 

 

 

Su Than Thar Nyi
Su Than Thar Nyi (Grace) calls Burma (Myanmar) home, and majors in Government and Statistical and Data Sciences at Smith. Through her academics and research, she hopes to further her interest in international relations and diplomacy in Asia. In her own time, she likes reading, and listening to Burmese audiobooks and podcasts.

Former Lab Members

Clare Haas, class of 2025
Emma Bennett, class of 2022
Emily Paule, class of 2022
Florian Liu, class of 2023
Junru Wu, class of 2023
Denielle Amparado, class of 2023
Courtney Lo, class of 2022

Jacqueline Centeno, class of 2022