Suet-Yi (Cher) Lai 
PhD Candidate (European Studies)
Interregionalism in International relations: Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) as case-study
Qualifications
tba
Room
National Centre for Research on EuropeRoom 449
Contact Details
Postal Address
c/o National Centre for Research on Europe
4th Level Commerce Building
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch
New Zealand
Background
- 2004-2005 L’institute d’étude politique, Lille, la France Science Politics (exchange program)
- 2002 - 2006 Hong Kong Baptist University Second-Upper Hons in European Studies (French Stream, Honor project: The role of France in the Treaty of European Constitution)
Main Research Interests
Asia-Europe relationships, Asia and Europe regionalism, Inter-regionalism, European Union integration process
Details of Research
My PhD thesis focuses a novel form of interaction in international relations, inter-regionalism. Among various inter-regional forums, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process is chosen as the case-study because it is one of the most advance examples of inter-regionalism, it represents the highest level of interaction between East Asia and Europe, and it is one of the very few existing high levels meetings which exclude the United States. ASEM has brought countries from East Asia, Southeast Asia and the European Union together since 1996. It three-pillar structure encompasses a wide variety of issue field. Besides, it entertains actors from different levels at its meetings and activities.
My thesis first identifies the actors in the ASEM process, then examines the interactions between them under the ASEM framework. Also, the influence of the ASEM process on its participants and vice versa will be analyzed. Subsequently, the thesis will illustrate the role of inter-regionalism in international relations. In addition, different International Relations theories will be consulted in order to review their logicality and validity.
Publications
Recent Publications:
December 2009 |
“ASEM Under the Radar: Media Portrayals of Asia-Europe Meeting in Asia”, (with Natalia Chaban), Chapter six in The EU Through the Eyes of Asia volume two, edited by Natalia Chaban, Martin Holland and Peter Ryan, published by World Scientific |
April 2009 |
“It takes how many to Tango: Who dances on ASEM stage?”, selected paper in Asia-Europe Foundation 1st Young Academic Workshop, processing to be published |
December 2007 |
“The EU in the Eyes of Hong Kong”, (with Kenneth Chan) Chapter 4 in the EU through the Eyes of Asia: Media, Public and Elite Perceptions in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand, edited by Holland, Ryan et al, published by ASEF, NCRE, and University of Warsaw |
Recent Conference and workshop papers:
January 2010 |
Presentation: “Actor Acting at ASEM”, in EUSA-AP Conference Connections and Dialogues: The European Union and the Asia Pacific:Perceptions, Policies, Perspective, 8-9 January 2010, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi |
September 2008 |
Presentation: “Turning findings into meanings’ in the conference ‘Europe in the Changing World: Challenges, Priorities and Research Collaborations’ organized by New Zealand European Union Centres Network, 25th September 2008 |