Yixian Sun

My research focuses on transnational governance, environmental politics, and sustainable development in the Global South. I seek to explain whether and how different types of governance initiatives can help large emerging economies, China in particular, achieve sustainability transitions. My book project examines China's engagement in transnational sustainability certification of agricultural commodities. I have published research papers on private governance in major academic journals including Ecological Economics, Global Environmental Politics, and the Review of International Political Economy.

Another area of my research is the political economy of global food supply chains. I have collaborated on large-scale survey experiments in China, Germany, the US and the UK to investigate citizens' incentives in changing consumption behavior and their preferences for different standards and regulations on sustainable food. 

Recently I started to expand my work on the sustainability impact of China-funded development projects around the world. I am currently design research projects in this area. 

I am wiling to supervise PhD students who want to work on global environmental governance, corporate sustainability strategies, sustainable development in China, and the impact of China's foreign investment in the Global South. For those who are interested in these areas, please contact me by email.