Bianca Chiu is an undergraduate student pursuing degrees in Sociology and Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. As a second-generation Asian American with roots in Hong Kong, Bianca grew up with an ever-changing conception of culture that instilled in her an interest in the reciprocal relationship between shifting cultural norms and their fluid sociopolitical backdrops. Her project comparatively examines how diverging child sex preferences in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan after World War II were influenced by geographic, political, and economic determinants. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach to investigate emerging theories on the topic, her work provides a groundwork for understanding shifts in norms surrounding reproduction and gender, including when those shifts are convergent or divergent between different societies.

Jishan Jiang is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Legal Studies and Data Science with a minor in Education. As an aspiring researcher and educator, her interest lies in the intersection of educational equity, labor, and technology across global contexts. Jishan’s research project examines labor conditions in China’s vocational colleges training students for the AI industry, investigating how laws and socio-technical imaginaries affect data labeling internship labor protections and long-term careers. By drawing from ethnographic interviews, policy analysis, and the sociology of education, her work sheds light on the precarities and possibilities for youth in emerging digital economies.

Marlon Demandt is a German Fulbright Scholar pursuing a Master’s degree in International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, during which he completed exchange semesters at Seoul National University in South Korea and Sciences Po in France. Mr. Demandt will explore contemporary Sino-American relations, focusing on critical issues such as Taiwan and its pivotal semiconductor industry, as well as the influence of natural resources on Chinese foreign policymaking. He is also keenly interested in how Sino-American dynamics affect economically interdependent nations like Germany. His project examines the intersection of natural resources and security in contemporary China and their broader implications for international relations.

Saba Naseem’s project investigates the intersection of mental health policies and cultural influences in China. Utilizing a combination of literature review, qualitative interviews, quantitative data analysis, and case studies, her research analyzes how Confucian values, collectivism, and globalization shape perceptions of mental health and drive policy reform. She aims to explore the influence of traditional values and stigma on mental health treatment in China, the effects of globalization on policy reforms, and the effectiveness of international collaborations in addressing cultural needs. This project aspires to develop culturally sensitive policy recommendations that enhance mental health access, reduce stigma, and promote international best practices in mental health governance across East Asia.