Global Research Teams that Aim to Make a Real Difference
FLIA’s research team is spread through the US, China, the UK, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, Ukraine, India, Netherlands, and various other regions.
FLIA Scholars
FLIA Scholars are experts who join by invitation, recommendation, or request. They join or lead research projects, attend FLIA programs and events, and and offer academic support.
Research Fellows
Research Fellows take organizational roles under the direction of Scholars. They also assist Scholars with designing research plans, executing timelines, and producing research reports.
Research Assistants
Research Assistants identify important topics in the field, summarize key academic work and practical information, and assist Scholars and Research Fellows in conducting research.
Scholars
Professor Larry Catá Backer is a Board Member of FLIA. He is the W. Richard and Mary Eshelman Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law & International Affairs at the Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on governance related issues of globalization and the constitutional theories of public and private governance, with a focus on institutional frameworks where public and private law systems converge. He is particularly interested in transnational problem solving through law, broadly defined, including issues of corporate social responsibility, the relationship between state-based regulation and transnational systems of “soft” regulation, state participation in private markets and the emerging problems of polycentricity where multiple systems might be simultaneously applied to a single issue or event, and problems of translation between Western and Marxist Leninist constitutional systems.
Dr. Flora Sapio (Habilitated Associate Professor) is a Board Member of FLIA and a FLIA Scholar. She is internationally reknown for her sophisticated analyses of themes in China studies ranging from legal theory to politics, from economy and society to political communication, from criminal law to social organizations. Her mixed intellectual background, and life experiences in China, the United States, Europe, and Australia have shaped her perspective on the most diverse topics. She is the author or editor of China: The Justice Experience (Cambridge University Press, 2017), Legal Reforms and Deprivation of Liberty in China (Routledge, 2016), The Politics of Law and Stability in China (Edward Elgar, 2014), Sovereign Power and the Law in China (Brill, 2010), besides several articles and commentaries on contemporary issues. She has been very well recogenized by her research on China's social credit system.
Professor Mark Poustie is a Board Member of FLIA. He served at the University of Strathclyde as Head of the Law School from 2007-2013 and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, in charge of international affairs from 2013-2015. At the same time, Professor Poustie was very successful in his academic field. He has conducted significant research in the area of environmental law, land law, urban planning law, and EU law, with considerable impact on the international scene. Also, Professor Poustie was an active practitioner, who was involved in the governmental policy-making process. He was appointed as a part-time Oriental Scholar at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) from 2014-2016 before taking up a full-time Thousand Talents Scholar post at SUFE from 2016. He teaches and researches areas of environmental law, EU law and common law at SUFE.
Professor Duoqi Xu is a Board Member of FLIA, a FLIA Scholar, and a Program Director. Professor Xu’s research interests include Financial law, Tax law and Fintech legal issues. She has published more than 70 articles on CSSCI Journals including Social Sciences in China, China Legal Science (English version), Studies in Law and Business, the Science of Law, Legal Science, Law Review, Jurist, Economic Law Forum, Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Journal of Wuhan University. A substantial number of those articles are fully reprinted by Xinhua Digest, China University Academic Abstract, China Legal Science Briefing and Renmin University of China Reprinted Materials. She has published articles on oversea journals including Tax Notes International, Frontiers of Chinese Law and Financial and Economic Yuedan Law Review (Taiwan), and is the independent author of two books and one translation work. She has hosted almost 10 provincial projects including two Projects of the National Social Science Foundation of China Legal Research in Commercial Banks—Actual Conflicts and Law Integration of Credit Assets Securitization(finished) and Licenses Charting and Market Supervision of Internet Finance.
Professor Liao Shiping is a Board Member of FLIA. He is now associate professor in Law School of Beijing Normal University. He focuses on many topics on international law, including the law of the sea, the law of the treaties, international humanitarian law, the jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals, international investment law and international trade law. He serves as legal advisor for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce of People’s Republic of China, and State Oceanic Administration for years. He also serves as judge for various international law moot competitions, including JESSUP, ELSA WTO, Manfred Lachs Moot of Space Law, Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, International Criminal Court Moot and IHL Moot in Chinese domestic round, Asia-Pacific regional round and World Final Round.
Professor Jitendra Kumar is a FLIA Scholar. He is a professor at National Law University (Mumbai, India), a consultant and international unclear liability Expert, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), a member at the International School of Nuclear Law Supervisory Board (ISNL Board, Montpelier, France), and Faculty at the Nuclear Law Institute (NLI, IAEA, Vienna, Austria), etc.He is a recognized international expert, experienced academic, arbitrator and qualified legal professional with proven ability to deliver effective legal solutions in challenging multicultural environments based on sound academic background and professional experience at the Bar, Industry (Corporate, Insurance, Finance, Healthcare, Scientific Research and Energy Sectors), Educational Bodies (Teaching, Training and Educational Administration at National as well as International Institutions of Advanced Learning and Research), National Government as well as International Institutions.
Professor Douglas Castro is a FLIA Scholar. He did his Post-Doc fellowship in International Economic Law at São Paulo School of Law-FGV. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Sciences and Master in International Law from São Paulo University and LLM in International Law at Brigham Young University in the United States. He is a professor of International Law and Relations and senior researcher of the CNPQ Group Research “The Critics and the Law” (UNIP-São Paulo). CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/4705266553541759 SSRN Author Page: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2358659
Salma Yusuf is a Sri Lankan Lawyer and a Global Consultant & Trainer in Human Rights, Peace-building and Transitional Justice providing services to organizations at the international, regional, and national levels including to governments, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international and national civil society, non-governmental organizations, regional and national institutions.
She has served in multiple roles and capacities from being a Civil Society activist nationally and internationally, a University Lecturer and Researcher, a Journalist and Opinion Columnist, and most recently a Public Official of the Government of Sri Lanka where she led the process of drafting and developing of Sri Lanka’s first National Policy on Reconciliation which is the first in Asia.
She has published extensively in scholarly journals including at the Seattle Journal of Social Justice, Sri Lanka Journal of International Law, Frontiers of Legal Research, American Journal of Social Welfare and Human Rights, Journal of Human Rights in the Commonwealth, International Affairs Review, Harvard Asia Quarterly and The Diplomat.
Hailing from a “triple minority” background – namely, ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities – Salma Yusuf has translated her heritage into professional acumen by developing a high degree of empathy to grievances, sophisticated and nuanced understanding of challenges, and cross-cultural sensitivity to the aspirations and needs of societies and communities she works with, in the pursuit of the ideals of human rights, law, justice and peace.
She is a Research Scholar at the Foundation for Law and International Affairs and a sitting Member of the Commonwealth Women Mediators Network,
She has a Master of Laws in Public International Law from Queen Mary University of London and a Bachelor of Laws Honours from University of London. She was called to the Bar and has been admitted as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
She has completed specialized fellowships at University of Toronto, University of Canberra, and American University of Washington.
Dr. Rachel George is a Lecturing Fellow at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and Nonresident Scholar with the Institute for Global Affairs. She previously served as a Research Fellow at ODI in London. Her work has been published in outlets including Foreign Policy, World Politics Review, The Washington Quarterly, The National Interest, Human Rights Review, Think Global Health, and as chapters in The Arab Gulf States and the West: Perception and Misperception, Opportunities and Perils, and The Routledge History of Human Rights. Her forthcoming book explores the intersections of development and diplomacy. She holds a BA in Politics and French from Princeton University, an MA in Middle East Studies from Harvard University, and PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Professor Nimesh Salike is Senior Associate Professor in International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). He also serves as Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at the school. He joined XJTLU in June 2011 and was Head of Economics from Feb 2014 to Apr 2017. Prior to that, he was Research Associate at Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo, Japan (2009-2011). He had been an adjunct lecturer at Sophia University and International Christian University, both in Tokyo. He also served as consultant for the World Bank, Kathmandu office (1999). He obtained his PhD and MA from Waseda University, Tokyo. He also holds MBA in Finance from Kathmandu University, Nepal and had been an exchange student at Brandeis University, US. His research interests lie on international and development economics, primarily focusing on trade, foreign direct investment and Asian integration.
Ms. Aisha Rasool, a distinguished professional from South Waziristan, Pakistan, has overcome remarkable educational challenges to achieve academic and professional excellence. Despite hailing from a region with a distressingly low female literacy rate, she defied the odds and pursued education at prestigious institutions in Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Rasool holds an LLM degree from the University of York and has conducted rigorous research for a PhD in Law. Currently, she serves as a Senior Consultant (Research) in the Ministry of Law & Justice of Pakistan, providing expert advice and conducting in-depth research to inform legal policies and reforms.
A CIArb Accredited Mediator, Ms. Rasool has a distinguished career spanning over 14 years. She has held leadership roles in academic administration, including heading law colleges at Gomal University and Green International University. Her professional experience also includes positions at the Federal Judicial Academy, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy, and Abdul Wali Khan University at Mardan.
Ms. Rasool's expertise encompasses research, policy advocacy, governance, contract management, administration, teaching, training, and drafting. She has engaged with esteemed policymakers nationally and internationally, fostering cross-cultural understanding and refining her interpersonal and communication skills.
Ms. Rasool's journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to education, personal growth, and making a meaningful impact in the legal field. Her exceptional achievements serve as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of resilience and commitment in overcoming adversity and achieving excellence.
Research Fellows
Professor Andrea Romaoli is an international humanitarian attorney and technology expert who holds a mandate as UN Special Rapporteur (Geneva). With an M.A.Sc. in Tax Law and Ph.D. (honorary doctorate, ESA-OAB/Br) in Human Rights and Political Affairs, she previously served as a Professor of Tax Law at IBET University at the Master’s degree level.
Her background gathers a broad experience at international negotiation and diplomatic approach across different positions and countries also holding UN leadership and active approaches for high level working groups for decision-making processes. Also, she has applied her skills for Governance of Communication, Technologies and is active on space-regulatory bodies such as NASA and ITU issuing legislation, policies, regulations and guidance.
Notably, Andrea Romaoli applied her expertise in international law and cybersecurity as key representative of UNODC to elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of ICT’s for Criminal Purposes.
Miaoqiang Dai is a Master of International Affairs ’19 candidate. Being honored with the College Graduate Excellence Award of Shanghai, he graduated and gained his Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics in June 2017. He also studied political science at Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defénse in Paris, France as an exchange student in 2015. His researches focus on international investment, multinational corporations, and related areas. In recent years, he participated in a wide range of intern programs including a fund management company, a commercial bank, a property insurance company, and an M&A financial service company.
Doris Li is a current student at Wellesley College completing her degree in political science and technology policy. She will be abroad at Oxford University next year, studying the intersections of media, technology, and politics in the UK and European Union. Outside of academics, she has volunteered at Harvard Law School’s Legal Services Center, assisting attorneys who provide pro bono services to the community. Her main interests are helping people protect their data, Internet policy, and writing/performing poems with puns.
Sophia Muina is a JD candidate and graduate student focusing on international affairs at Florida State University. Her main area of interest is international law. Some of her research includes domestic and international policy, treaty analysis, and international human rights. Sophia aspires to become an international lawyer and continue to conduct research and become a professor. She hopes to contribute to raising awareness in various global issues and foster a more inclusive environment.
Aidan Hughes received an MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice from Queen's University Belfast in 2018. He also received a BA in International Studies and Creative Writing from Virginia Tech in 2017. Aidan's current work involves the use of data science methods and impactful data storytelling to extract meaningful insights from political data. He is passionate about issues related to democracy reform, political polarization, and voting rights.
Kyle Kozak is a Research Fellow at FLIA. He received his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and his Masters in Law in International Legal Studies from American University Washington College of Law. He previously participated in Shurat Hadin's Arnold Silverman Internship Program and interned at INTERPOL's Office of Legal Affairs. His other legal experience includes a placement with the Public International Law and Policy Group, where his work contributed to the formulation of the Juba Peace Agreement. Academically, Kyle is interested in the interface between international law and international relations theory, the cross fertilization of which he believes to be underappreciated. Additional research areas of interest include the legality of the use of force under the UN Charter, international humanitarian law's geographical scope in non-international armed conflicts, and targeted sanctions. Kyle hopes to leverage his academic background and legal experience to further fortify the rule of law in our pursuit of international peace and prosperity.
Tran Thi Giang is currently a Research Fellow at FLIA based in Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. She has proven herself with a well-set IT center behind and a legal career for foreign investors ahead. With the core aspiration of contributing to society through education, she and other co-founders decided to establish IT classes to build up students' skills, specifically regarding Microsoft Office applications. Later, she entered the legal field with an excellent degree in International Trade Law at Foreign Trade University (Vietnam), high-record awards, and international and domestic publications, let alone her scholarship fully funded by the Irish Government to pursuit her LLM degree at University College Cork (Ireland). She is accorded distinct recognition lawyer by colleagues and peers as an arising young lawyer after five years of practice in M&A, employment, fintech and education sectors. Responsiveness, breadth and depth of legal ability and sheer energy in attaining goals form her traits.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Mengchen Wang earned her Master’s degree in International Affairs and Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Pennsylvania State University. Her academic interest is international relations and affairs with a focus on the Asian related issues covering international politics and economics, international education, energy and environment, and charity, and conducted a research on “Chinese and American reactions to Japanese first bullet train in 1960s”. She also worked as a teaching assistant and student ambassador in school. Previously, she did an internship as an Academic Consultant in Wholeren Education, a multinational education company that provides diverse services to international students.
Jiajian Xu is a postgraduate student from the law school of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, with a focus on international law and dispute settlement. In 2020 he also obtained an LLM degree in intellectual property law from Queen Mary University of London. His main research fields include international economic law, WTO law, and intellectual property law. He has been selected to the Chinese International Organization Talents Program, and has strong interest in international organizations.
Yanmeng Chen is currently working as a Research Assistant at FLIA. She is a graduate from Law School of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. She had her LL.M. degree in the aspect of Intellectual Property Law from The George Washington University. Previously, she received her bachelor degree of law in International Finance Law from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. During her undergraduate study, she also received her bachelor degree of finance from Fudan University through Intercollegiate Education. Her academic interests include corporation law in different countries, international business law and international intellectual property law. In 2019, she was a volunteer of 2019 Annual Meeting of International Monetary Found and she was appreciated for her contribution.
Yuqing Xiao is currently a graduate from the law school of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. She has been selected to the Chinese International Organization Talents Program. In 2020, She obtained an LLM degree in International Law and Justice from Fordham Law School. Her main research fields include public international law and international arbitration. In 2020, she represented Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and won the third prize in the 18th CIETAC Cup international Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition.
Wanlin Zhong is currently working as a Research Assistant at FLIA. She obtained her LL.M. degree in the George Washington University Law School in 2019 and was supported by the China Scholarship Council. She was majored in the International and Comparative Law and interested in the International Business law, Private International Law and International Trade areas. She had volunteer experience for the 2019 World Bank Law, Justice and Development Week. She was currently pursuing another LL.M. degree in the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and previously received Joint Degree in Bachelor of Laws and Accounting in the school. She had internship experiences both in the securities company and court, and got good results in competitions such as ICC Moot Court and Enactus innovation competition.
Shuo Zhang is a research assistant at FLIA. He is pursuing his double master’s in law in Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Fordham University. As a big fan of international affairs and law, he has been selected to Chinese International Organization Talents Program. He also has the experience working as a international volunteer (English teacher) in Pokhara, Nepal. Besides, he has had various internship experience with different industries including securities, auditing and administration.
Andrea Snyder is a recent graduate of American University with a B.A. in International Studies. Her undergraduate work focused on US foreign policy and national security in East Asia with a focus on the Korean Peninsula. She was awarded the NSEP David L. Boren Scholarship in 2019 to study Korean at Sogang University. Previously, she worked at the Institute for the Study of War on the Russia-Ukraine Portfolio in Washington, DC. Her research interests include inter-Korean relations, North Korean denuclearization, and Russian relations in East Asia.
Olivia Whatley is a research assistant at FLIA and a recent graduate from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She graduated with a dual degree in Global Leadership and Faith and Social Justice. Originally, she is from Texas, but is currently based in Nashville, TN. She is a passionate advocate for environmental justice and will be attending law school in the fall to become an environmental attorney.
Natalia Karolina Gawlas is currently a research assistant and program coordinator at FLIA. She is studying Law (Clinical) at University College Cork getting a Bachelor's degree, despite residing and studying in Ireland, she is a Polish national. During her [so far] degree she has been awarded various Digital Badges from her work on the Cancer Society and Bystander Intervention Programme, as well as pursuing writing and a TEFL level 5 course. Her legal interests include Human Rights issues and International matters, passionately advocating for human rights justice and environmental issues. She is also deeply involved in charitable work and aiding the operation of non-governmental organisations/charities. She has also recently been accepted as a Trainee Researcher for the Irish Legal Information Initiative (IRLII), with many more noteworthy achievements on her profile
Simon Osorio is a research assistant at FLIA. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Global Affairs at Florida International University and will graduate in Spring 2022. Simon was interested in politics while doing a minor in international relations. He is most interested in international affairs, Global Affairs, International Law and Political Analysis. Simon is an avid sports fan and especially is a huge soccer fan. He likes to travel and learn about different cultures and traditions.
Hung Le is currently a law student at Florida State University, College of Law with a concentration in healthcare law. He was a pharmacist by training with working experience in public health as a past fellow with Centers for Disease Control (CDC), health care administration as a Medical Support Assistant as well as health care research (analytical science) as a research support within the Veterans Health Administration.
Ziang Liu graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree. He majored in Politics and minored in Classics during his undergraduate study. He focused his study on domestic politics of the United States as well as the international politics in European and Middle Eastern regions. He visited Italy and Israel each for a period of time, interacting with local scholars to further his academic studies in local cultures, societies and politics. Along with his focus on political science, he also engaged in the studies of classical works of politics to trace modern western political and legal structure to their origins during the early classical period to have a thorough understanding on the evolvement and purposes of laws in modern politics and society. Beside his academic studies, he had interned at law firms and company’s legal departments in Shanghai as well as civil organizations in New York. He gained much experiences in working and studying at bilingual environment. He aims to continue his pursuit in legal fields in the future.
Emily Abramczyk is a research assistant at FLIA. She is pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and History with a minor in Philosophy at Albion College. She is also member of the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program and the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service. In the past, she has conducted research on how Ping Pong Diplomacy contributed to the growth of political relations and cultural interactions between the U.S. and China. She was also an International Policy and Diplomacy Fellow at United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) were she advocated and promoted the interests, culture, and rights of Macedonia globally. Her passions include international politics and advocating against human rights abuses.
José Carlos Motta Lemos Neto is a research assistant at FLIA. By December 2023 he will be finishing a Bachelor in International Relations and in Economics at Faculdades de Campinas (FACAMP), Campinas – São Paulo State. His main research interests are Power Structures, Public Administration, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Paradiplomacy. José likes to have long and deep conversations on the most diverse subjects, the only thing he likes more than talking is listening.
Jia Huang is currently pursuing an LL.M. degree in Banking, Corporate, and Finance Law at Fordham University School of Law, while completing her Master of Laws at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, with a focus on international dispute resolution. Her research interests also include ESG compliance and international dispute resolution. Selected for the International Organization Talent Development Program in China, Jia has a strong interest in international organizations, particularly in the fields of sustainability and global governance.
Chen Haitao is a research assistant at FLIA. He is currently studying international finance at a Sino-American university and will pursue a law school degree in the future. With an international background, he has a fundamental knowledge of global and transnational affairs. Internships in Chinese and overseas law firms helped him gain some experience and insights into the legal industry. His interests lie in the fields of international law and diplomacy, international arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Jimmy is enthusiastic about laws and issues in the global setting; he is creative and always willing to learn.