I am an interdisciplinary geographer working on global agricultural studies, sustainable rural development, and transnational agricultural economics. I embarked on my academic journey at Sun Yat-sen University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in Tourism Planning and Management. My quest for knowledge led me to the National Taiwan University, where I obtained a Master of Science from the Geography department. After that I decided to further my studies at the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS) at Kyoto University, receiving a Doctorate in Area Studies in 2022. In the same year, I joined the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at Kyoto University as a research fellow.
My research centers on the effects of agricultural globalization on rural dynamics in the upland regions of Vietnam. In our contemporary era of globalization, agricultural commodity chains are undergoing a transnational restructuring process, leading to diversified forms of investment, participants, and regional interactions. This dynamic landscape, shaped by historical, socio-economic, and political changes, triggers interactions between initiator and recipient countries of transnational agribusiness, and persistently reshapes the structure of transnational commodity chains, exerting varied effects on the involved parties.
I am particularly interested in the entrepreneurial journey of small to medium-scale transnational agricultural investors in the agro-food sector and their interaction in developing countries, usually existing as the specific recipient society of transnational agricultural investment. My research delves into the interactions among various stakeholders from a bilateral or multilateral perspective focusing on the evolution of the industry, and transnational investment activities. I am also investigating the subsequent impacts on those societies and countries receiving these investments.
Recently, I have broadened my research scope to encompass Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), local empowerment, global pesticide governance, and environmental sustainability. I aim to explore the diversity and potential of small to medium-scale transnational agricultural investment activities in promoting mutually beneficial and sustainable rural development.
I am profoundly thankful to CSEAS for creating an academic haven characterized by warmth, active support, and limitless inclusivity. CSEAS stands out as an exceptional institute that fosters robust links through regional studies, both theoretically and practically. This is evident in the diverse array of researchers from across the globe, each engaged in innovative studies. CSEAS offers comprehensive resources, including an extensive library and a wealth of visual materials. Moreover, frequent international conferences and travel opportunities have been a source of constant inspiration, enabling me to continually reassess my research findings. These diverse presentations and interpretations have opened my eyes to the potential for new research fields and topics. I eagerly anticipate the day when my experiences can serve to inspire and guide other researchers on their academic journeys.
