International History · Policy

Hello, I’m Xudong Zhu

PhD Candidate in International History at the University of Aberdeen, analyzing how statecraft, grand strategy, and great-power competition shape contemporary governance. I welcome inquiries regarding research collaborations, speaking engagements, or policy-oriented projects.

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Academic journey

• MA in American Studies
  (Heidelberg University, DE)
• LLB in Diplomacy
  (Jilin University, CN)

Membership

• Royal Historical Society
• Association of Chinese Political Studies

Languages

English · Chinese · German

Recent Highlights

2025

• [Nov.] I’m happy to be part of the ACPS Annual Conference. My sincere thanks to the organizers, and it’s been a pleasure meeting new friends.
• [Oct.] Honoured to be elected as a Postgraduate Member of the Royal Historical Society.
• [Oct.] Excited to be a Teaching Assistant for HI1022: Europe in the Twentieth Century!
• [Aug.] My essay was recognized with the Jimmy Carter Prize (Runner-up) in the 2025 China Focus Essay Contest.
• [Jun.] Commenced a summer internship with the EEW team (Experience, Engagement & Wellbeing) at the University of Aberdeen, contributing to projects designed to improve the international student experience.

Research Interests

Applied History & Statecraft

• Apply statecraft and grand-strategy frameworks to current geopolitical issues
• Compare Realpolitik across cases to assess power, interests, and constraints

Global Security & Governance

• Great power competition
• International institutions and legal frameworks