Researching Taiwan by Avoiding the Taiwan Gaze

Written by Aleksandrs Gross and Gunter Schubert. Gunter Schubert believes that maintaining some distance from the object of inquiry is sensible for analytical clarity and intellectual independence. The field of Taiwan studies cannot be a discipline in and of itself; it must span disciplines. Reflecting on his own academic journey, he believes that an academic career cannot be planned and that each step is valuable.

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Defining Taiwan Studies

Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Chun-yi Lee’s path into Taiwan Studies was the result of following research questions that matched her interests and skills. She chose to study the island from the outside within a specific academic discipline. As the director of the Taiwan Research Hub at Nottingham University, she sees herself as a communicator, sharing what she knows, and as a facilitator, encouraging others to explore further.

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Chance Encounters

Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Prof. Niki J.P. Alsford’s journey into the field of Taiwan studies was the result of a series of interests, each of which brought him a little closer to Taiwan. He remains optimistic about the future of Taiwan studies in offering cultural intelligence beyond surface familiarity, and also believes that remaining open, and saying yes to all opportunities is crucial for aspiring scholars.

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Following Interests, Forging a Field: The Career of Ming-yeh Rawnsley

Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Today, Ming-yeh Rawnsley is one of the foremost authorities on Taiwanese language cinema, the founder of the International Journal of Taiwan Studies (IJTS), and the former Secretary-General of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS). However, her career was driven by her interests, leading her to break conventional academic paths and combine specialisations creatively.

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The Emergence of the Taiwan Studies Movement

Written by Aleksandrs Gross. This second article on Professor Dafydd Fell explores the defining experiences of his career in a more institutional context. In particular, the establishment of the European Association of Taiwan Studies, and the development of the Taiwan Studies Centre and the Taiwan Master’s programme at SOAS. This article concludes with advice for those starting out and key takeaways.

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The Wrong Place at the Right Time

Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Over the past two decades, Taiwan Studies has emerged in Europe as a rigorous and independent field. Examining the experiences of the field’s most influential scholars offers valuable insight. This first article examines the career of Professor Dafydd Fell, from his early experiences studying Taiwan by accident to his role in bringing Taiwan studies to Europe.

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TAIPEI’S AND NEW TAIPEI’S POSSIBLE VOLCANIC THREATS 

Written by Dalton Alighieri. The article cautions that Taiwan’s Tatun Volcano Group poses low-probability but high-impact risks to Taipei City and New Taipei City. While eruptions are not imminent, dense populations and economic vulnerability demand enhanced monitoring, preparedness, interdisciplinary research, and calm public communication to reduce potential human and geopolitical ​​consequences.​ ​

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What About Trans Rights? Taiwan’s Ongoing Struggle for Self-ID

Written by Ricarda Rodenas. This article describes Taiwan’s ongoing struggle over legal gender recognition, focusing on the continued requirement of sex-reassignment surgery to change one’s legal gender. It traces how pro-trans advocacy groups pursue litigation, public mobilisation, and international engagement, while facing an increasingly organised gender-critical countermovement and shifting populist currents. Despite Taiwan’s global reputation for marriage equality, the 2024 election reveals that trans rights remain politically marginal, with symbolic support outweighing substantive reform.

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Taiwan’s Diplomatic Bridge: Taiwan-Somaliland-Israel vs China in the Horn of Africa

Written by Faisal Abdirashid Adam. This article demonstrates that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, grounded in five years of Taiwan–Somaliland cooperation, marks a significant geopolitical shift in the Horn of Africa. It argues that sustained collaboration in maritime security, agriculture, healthcare, and governance transformed diplomatic isolation into strategic credibility, enabling formal recognition. At the same time, the move has intensified regional and global tensions, particularly with China and neighbouring states wary of sovereignty disputes and shifting power balances.

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From Martial Law to Open Skies: The Politics Embedded in Taoyuan Airport’s Architecture, and now shaped by a British Vision 

Written by Gahon Chiang. The northern concourse of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3 opened on 25 December 2025, signifying progress from martial law to democracy. This terminal’s design emphasises openness and passenger mobility, contrasting the enclosed layouts of earlier terminals. The evolution of the airport reflects Taiwan’s broader democratic transformation, reshaping citizen-state relations.

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