Keren Zhu

Keren Zhu is an accomplished academic and researcher currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Davidson College. She has a robust educational background, holding a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School, an M.Sc. in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford, and a B.A. in English from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.12

Her research primarily focuses on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), global infrastructure development, and international relations, particularly between China and the Global South. Zhu's work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that combines insights from political science, anthropology, and policy analysis. She has conducted fieldwork in various African countries to explore China's economic activities abroad and their global implications.23

Before her current role, Zhu was a Global China Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and has held positions at the RAND Corporation, where she worked on policy advisory related to BRI international cooperation. She has also contributed to public-private partnerships at the International Labor Organization.12

In addition to her academic endeavors, Keren Zhu is a co-host of The Belt and Road Podcast, which discusses China's global engagement and its implications for international development. Her ongoing book project examines the impact of China-financed infrastructure megaprojects on developing countries and has received recognition through the Smith Richardson Strategy and Policy Fellowship.12

Zhu's extensive publication record includes journal articles and reports addressing topics such as US-China relations, East Asian political economy, and infrastructure development strategies.34