Emma Hsu 徐韶韓

Aloha!

Thank you for visiting my website to learn more about me.

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I am a PhD student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry in 2010, then went back to school after 10 years of working in China. I am privileged to serve as an adjunct fellow (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Renewing American Innovation project and a Foundation Scholar at the East West Center.

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At the University of Hawaii, I sought to understand technology as an agent in international relations. My master's research within the Asian Studies department is focused on intellectual property (IP) protection strategies and practical frameworks to facilitate foreign companies entering the Chinese market. I concurrently completed a certificate in conflict resolution with a focus on mediation and negotiation at the Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution. My final research culminated in a report published by CSIS, titled Manufacturing beyond Shores: The Taiwanese Checklist Approach to Intellectual Property Protection.

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During the two-year Master's in Asian International Affairs program, I published in the my research "Cutting in the Middleman: Learning from Ancient Chinese Contract Negotiation" in Brill's Journal of International Negotiation. In addition, during my practicum at the Pacific Forum, I arranged and conducted interviews to publish "After Ukraine war, Taiwan’s chip supremacy raises economic stakes" in Al Jazeera. In a subsequent practicum, I worked with the Berkeley APEC Study Center as a co-researcher to write "There is No Entities List for Patent Filings: The Policy Implications of Huawei and ZTE as Patent Powers," which won honorable mention at The Carter Center's Young Scholar's Forum on U.S.-China Relations. Lastly, I was honored to present my research titled "Copyright's Role in Artificial Intelligence's Hierarchy of Needs" at Asia Pacific Copyright Association 2022 "Copyright in the Age of Disruption" conference hosted by the National University of Singapore. 

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Outside of research, I am passionate about giving back to the community. I am a Global Ambassador for McGill University's Alumni Association, a Young Leader (2023) for the Pacific Forum, and was a volunteer at the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE). At the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship, I not only supported events but also conducted ecosystem research to understand how PACE can continue to serve the community. I interviewed students, startups, government agencies, faculty, and community organizations to understand how PACE can improve its offering. I will officially join the PACE team as a part-time graduate assistant to implement the findings from the research.

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In addition to continuing my work with PACE, starting Fall 2023, I will begin a doctoral degree in world history at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Specifically, I am interested in researching technology transmission in China by comparing it with how Europe or Americas accelerated or decelerated the movement of new technologies. I am interested in thinking about how technology ties into education and knowledge, which ultimately influences the flow of power between the state, elites, and civilians. For example, I want to understand how astronomy-related technology was used in viewing, interpreting, and mapping stars by both elites and common people to shape their daily lives via agriculture and navigation.

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I am honored to be supported by several generous donors who make my intellectual journey possible. In no particular order, they are: the Chandler Public Policy or Conflict Resolution Fellowship established by Dr. Susan Chandler and Dr. David Chandler; the East West Center Foundation Scholarship supported by the Center's alumni and friends; the C.F. and Grace Ning Award in Chinese Studies established by Chung-fung and Grace Ning; the K.S. Cheng Memorial Scholarship; Asian Studies department merit scholarship and University of Hawaii's non-resident tuition exemption award.

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If you are interested in learning more about my work, please feel free to reach out: emmahsu@hawaii.edu.

Warm regards,

Emma Hsu

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