Interview with Professor Kristi Govella
Professor Kristi Govella joined OSGA in 2024 as Associate Professor of Japanese Politics and International Relations. After a year at the Nissan Institute, she reflects on her career to date, her time in Oxford so far and looks ahead to the new academic year.
Professor Govella’s interest in Japan began when she chose to study the Japanese language in high school. She later decided to pursue Political Science as an undergraduate degree, and when she took a class on Japanese politics during her second year of college, she knew that she had found a fusion of interests that could keep her intrigued for a lifetime. She says, “I decided at that point that I wanted to one day be a professor of Japanese politics, and it all ended up working out after many additional years of study, research, and work.
Her research examines the intersection of economics, security, and governance in the Indo-Pacific region, often with a focus on Japan. Over the past year, she completed several major projects related to undersea cables, outer space governance, trilateral U.S.-Japan-South Korea cooperation, and Japanese economic statecraft. During the upcoming academic year, Professor Govella’s research will focus on comparative economic security policies, Japan’s approach toward the global commons, the political strategies of foreign multinational companies in Japan, the role of the Quad in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, and European policy toward the Indo-Pacific.
Professor Govella will be teaching a graduate option on Japanese politics and international relations during Michaelmas Term 2025. The course examines the evolution of Japanese domestic politics and international relations from the end of World War II to the present, situating the country in regional and global context and highlighting the ways that its experiences shed light on broader questions in social science.
On Oxford, Professor Govella says, “It’s an amazing place to focus on one’s academic work in a collegial, supportive environment. You can feel the history everywhere you go, and there are many charming places to explore.”
Over the years, Professor Govella has worked in a variety of positions in academia, government, and non-profit organisations, giving her a broad overview. She says, “I am passionate about bridging the gap between rigorous academic research and the needs of a quickly evolving policy environment, and I’m happy to speak with students who may be considering careers in academia or policy.”
