Research

1. Energy Geopolitics

Energy geopolitics is shaped by the strategic interactions between states, international institutions, and markets in securing energy access and exerting influence. Energy resources are not just commodities but instruments of power, shaping global alliances, trade, and security frameworks.

My research focuses on energy relations and energy diplomacy, examining how energy-producing and energy-consuming states engage in agreements, investments, and infrastructure projects that define international partnerships and competition, particularly in Eurasia, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.

States leverage energy as a foreign policy tool, using negotiations, strategic alliances, and infrastructure diplomacy to secure long-term access and economic advantages. International organisations, state-owned enterprises, and multilateral initiatives play crucial roles in managing energy governance and mitigating geopolitical risks. By analysing these dynamics, I explore how energy diplomacy and strategic partnerships influence international relations, economic development, and global security.

2. Institutionalism

Institutionalism in international relations examines how formal and informal institutions shape global governance, cooperation, and state behaviour by establishing rules, norms, and regulatory frameworks that structure interactions.

Institutions—ranging from legally binding agreements and governance mechanisms to informal diplomatic norms and transnational networks—create incentives for coordination, reduce uncertainty, and enhance stability in international affairs. They facilitate cooperation by embedding shared expectations within governance structures, enabling the regulation of political, economic, and security interactions.

Institutions function across multiple levels: bilateral agreements define diplomatic and economic engagements between states, minilateral initiatives foster targeted cooperation among select actors, and multilateral frameworks provide platforms for norm diffusion, policy coordination, and dispute resolution.

Beyond state actors, non-state entities, including transnational corporations and regulatory bodies, contribute to institutional development and global governance. My research explores how institutions evolve, adapt, and influence the formation of norms, security architectures, and economic governance.

3. Security of Critical Infrastructure

The security of critical infrastructure is vital to national and international stability, encompassing energy networks, transport systems, communication grids, financial institutions, and digital ecosystems. The rise of cyber warfare, hybrid threats, terrorism, and geopolitical competition has intensified vulnerabilities, making international cooperation essential in securing transnational infrastructure.

My research examines the interplay between state and non-state actors in mitigating risks, enhancing resilience, and developing institutional responses.

4. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Diplomacy is essential to navigating international relations, shaping alliances, resolving conflicts, and promoting economic and security interests. A key aspect of my research is the coherence of foreign policy, which examines how consistently states align their international actions with strategic objectives, institutional commitments, and domestic priorities. External coherence reflects the alignment between a state’s diplomatic engagements, security strategies, and economic policies, while internal coherence considers how domestic institutions, political actors, and bureaucratic structures influence foreign policy decisions.

Discrepancies in coherence can lead to diplomatic inefficacy, credibility issues, or unintended strategic consequences, particularly in an era of shifting global power dynamics. My research also explores how foreign policy coherence affects negotiation dynamics, alliance management, and international governance frameworks, shaping long-term diplomatic stability and global order.

The geographical scope of my research includes Eurasia, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.

Ongoing Research Projects

• Energy Security of Japan: Security and Geopolitical Implications of Japanese Hydrogen Strategy (individual project)

• Challenges for Japan and South Korea in Seeking Energy Cooperation Amid Sino-Russian Partnership in Northeast Asia (individual project)

• The Role of Sino–Russian Cooperation in the Northeast Asian Energy Regime (dissertation topic)