Welcome to my site! I hold a B.S. from Georgetown University, an M.S. from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a PhD in Government from Cornell University. My research focuses broadly on Chinese politics and foreign relations, and specifically on Chinese leaders' vision and implementation of Internet and social media control.
My work combines quantitative and computer-assisted analysis of social media posts with interviews from China's Internet industry, to understand both what is censored online and when, and how censorship works (e.g. understanding the elaborate bureaucratic apparatus that maintains tight control over the Internet companies).
This research has broad implications for explaining how the social media revolution may have led to the downfall of some regimes (Arab Spring) while reinforcing others (China, Russia and Iran). Specifically, it suggests that savvy regimes may use censorship programs not merely to thwart threatening information flows, but using netizens' own voices to persuade the public of leaders' ability and willingness to solve pressing issues.
