About the Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme
The Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme was established in 2022 to act as a focus for the academic study of and research on Taiwan across the University of Oxford. It is led by Dr Bo-jiun Jing, Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme within the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA).
Background
Taiwan, one of the world’s most iconic miracle economies and dynamic societies, offers a wealth of lessons to the world. It has played a vital role in igniting regional economic growth, with many aspects of mainland China’s prosperity benefiting from sustained Taiwanese investment. Situated in East Asia, Taiwan grapples with challenges similar to those faced by advanced industrial societies worldwide. It serves as a model for how 21st-century societies can innovate, cooperate, and learn from each other.
Historically, Taiwan’s economic success relied on targeted support for key industrial sectors and the ability of small and medium enterprises to tap into global production chains. In the 21st century, however, Taiwan has recognised that innovation across various sectors—economic development, technologies, education, healthcare, regulation, and more—is pivotal to its continued growth, global economiac standing, and the well-being of its people. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, educators, and researchers have championed grassroots and multi-sector innovation to revitalise the economy amidst wider demographic changes and constraints posed by the People’s Republic of China. Examples of such innovation include clean transport technologies, robotics for healthcare and aged care, apps countering social media disinformation, creative industries, and public-private partnerships for social and governance innovation.
How is Taiwan’s push to innovate unfolding and transforming the economy, society, and governance? What opportunities does this create for cross-Strait, regional, and global economic ties and integration? What lessons can be learned in East Asia, the UK, Europe, and globally from Taiwan’s innovative engagement with complex social and economic problems, such as economic stagnation, environmental pollution, population aging, youth unemployment, social media disinformation, and governmental and regulatory inefficiencies? The Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme seeks to explore these questions and more through seminars, workshops, conferences, collaborations, and teaching.
Academic leads and associates
Academics and students from many disciplines and departments across the University are involved the programme’s ongoing research and development:
- Paul Irwin Crookes, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies (OSGA)
- Professor Rachel Murphy, Professor of Chinese Development and Society; Research Director (OSGA)
- Professor Mindy Chen, Emeritus Professor of the Law of Contract, Faculty of Law
- Professor Todd Hall, Professor of the International Relations of East Asia, Department of Politics and International Relations
- Professor Margaret Hillenbrand, Professor of Chinese Literature and Culture, Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
- Dr Lisa Ko-En Hsin, Helsby Junior Research Fellow at Corpus Christi College and Kroll Post-doctoral Fellow in Business and Human Rights, Faculty of Law
- Professor Ralph Schroeder, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute
- Professor Hugh Whittaker, Processor of Japanese Economy and Business, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies
- Dr Chigusa Yamaura, Departmental Lecturer in Chinese Studies and Research Associate in Japanese Studies, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies
- Kristy Bryant, DPhil candidate, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies
- Rachael Chan, DPhil student, School of Geography and the Environment
- Pang-Yen Chang, DPhil candidate, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
- Yi-Ting Chang, DPhil Student, School of Geography and the Environment
- Yung-Fang Hsu, DPhil Student, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
- Adrian Kwong, DPhil Student, Faculty of History
- Shuo-Fang Liang, DPhil student, Department of Education
- Julie Chia-Yi Lin, DPhil candidate, Department of Education
- Min-Erh Wang, DPhil in Music, Faculty of Music
