David O'Brien

Chinese ethnic identity and policy; the Chinese political system as well as social science research methodologies, particularly in the Chinese context.Britain’s post Brexit relationship with China and East Asia.

David's  cross-disciplinary research is based on many years of qualitative fieldwork in China and seeks to explore how ethnic identity continues to evolve in and the interplay between state and individual interpretations of identity. 

David previously worked as a journalist for an Irish national newspaper reporting on a wide range of topics in Ireland as well as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, South Africa, India and Nepal.

As an academic David has contributed to the Financial Times and the Economist as well as broadcasters Deutsche Welle and RTE.

Preferred media: TV, radio, print and online