Research

I conduct research on politics and international relations of China. My research areas include civil society and NGO policy in China, China’s diplomacy, and attitudes towards China. My methodological interests include survey analysis and computational text analysis.

Background

Prior to joining UiB I was a research fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA). I hold MA and PhD in Political Science from Stanford University.

China in Global Politics (Spring 2024)

2024

• Song, Esther; Qiaoan, Runya (2024). State-civil society relations in China under Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping. (external link)
• Song, Esther; Kim, Sung Eun (2024). China’s dual signalling in maritime disputes. (external link)
• Song, Esther (2024). Explaining the expansion of the NGO sector in China: Through the lense of adaptive corporatist governance. (external link)

2023

• Song, Esther; Miral, Ines (2023). Personalization of Executive Power After COVID-19 Onset in South Korea. (external link)
• Song, Esther; Yang, Joanne (2023). China’s Adherence to International Human Rights Treaties: an Empirical Assessment. (external link)
• Song, Esther (2023). COVID-19, Anti-Chinese Sentiment, and Foreign Policy Attitudes in South Korea. (external link)
• Song, Esther (2023). Long-term effects of political violence on political trust: Evidence from the case of the Gwangju Massacre in South Korea, 1980. (external link)
• Song, Esther (2023). Air Pollution Coverage, Anti-Chinese Sentiment, and Attitudes Towards Foreign Policy in South Korea. (external link)

2022

• Song, Esther (2022). How outsourcing social services to NGOs bolsters political trust in China: evidence from Shanghai. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

Please see my google scholar page for a full list of publications.

Peer-reviewed articles (selected)

Song, E. E., & Kim, S. E. 2024. China’s dual signalling in maritime disputes. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2024.2394179

Song, E. E. 2023. Air Pollution Coverage, Anti-Chinese Sentiment, and Attitudes towards Foreign Policy in South Korea. Journal of Chinese Political Science. DOI:10.1007/s11366-023-09849-z

Song, E. E. 2022. How Outsourcing Social Services to NGOs Bolsters Political Trust in China: Evidence from Shanghai. Chinese Political Science Review. 1-27. DOI:10.1007/s41111-021-00207-z

Media

Why aren't South Koreans studying in China anymore?. East Asia Forum, May 2024.

South Koreans have the world's most negative views of China. Why?. The Diplomat, December 2022 (with Richard Turcsanyi).