My research focuses on the etiology, conduct, and outcome of internal conflicts with a focus on the micro-level interactions between civilians and armed groups. I specialize in the politics and society of China and of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, as well as the politics and history of the Vietnam War. My approach to research combines the theoretical insights of the social sciences with the rich nuance of history and area studies to produce work that appreciates and embraces local contexts while producing generally-applicable theoretical insights.
