Yixian Sun

View Scopus Profile

Yixian Sun

Dr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2415-2327

Accepting Doctoral Students

Personal profile

Research interests

I study transnational governance, environmental politics, and sustainable consumption, with a geographical focus on emerging economies and developing countries. My research explains the changing role of China in global environmental governance, including sustainability transitions within China as well as sustainability impacts of China's overseas engagement. My current projects focus on sustainability governance of China's Belt and Road Initiative. My work has been published in Ecological Economics, Global Environmental Change, Global Environmental Politics, Global Food Security, Nature Food, Nature Sustainability, Review of International Political Economy and other international scientific journals (see my Google Scholar page). My first book Certifying China investigates China's engagement in transnational sustainability certification and was published by the MIT Press in Feburary 2022 (Earth System Governance Series). I am Associate Editor of Global Environmental Politics and World Development Perspectives. 
 
I am a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow (round 7) and lead a £1.7 millioin research project on 'Sustainability Governance of China's Global Infrastructure Investments' (SGAIN). My international and interdisciplinary team use cutting-edge social science methods to advance knowledge on China's multifaceted influence on global sustainable development. Our research will support policy practitioners to identify pathways to align international investments with local sustainability needs. More details on the project can be found on our SGAIN website.
 
Besides my research, I am also a member of the Expert Peer Review Group of the Race to Zero, a UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world in time. I was also a writer for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and have attended various meetings of multilateral environmental treaties. I am also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore, a member of the Scientific Steering Committee and Senior Research Fellow of the Earth System Governance (ESG) Project, and co-convenor of the ESG Taskforce on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Willing to supervise doctoral students

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.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

Political Science/International Relations, Doctor of Philosophy, The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Award Date: 27 Nov 2018

Political Science/International Relations, Master of Arts, The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Award Date: 12 Sept 2014

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts, Nanjing University

Award Date: 30 Jun 2010

External positions

Scientific Steering Committee, Earth System Governance Project

Dec 2024 → …

Scholar Awards Committee, Environmental Studies Section, International Studies Association (ISA)

Mar 2023 → …

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Instiute for Environment and Sustainability, National University of Singapore

1 Nov 2022 → …

Associate Editor, World Development Perspectives Journal

1 Jun 2022 → …

Associate Editor, Global Environmental Politics (Journal)

Feb 2022 → …

Member of the Expert Peer Review Group, Race to Zero - the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world in time.

Aug 2021 → …

Research Fellow, Earth System Governance Project

Keywords

  • JZ International relations
  • JF Political institutions (General)
  • China
  • Environmental Politics
  • Sustainable Development
  • Transnational Governance
  • Non-state Actors
  • Global value chains
  • Climate Change
  • Political Economy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Yixian Sun is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles
View full fingerprint

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Explore network further
View all 8 projects
View all 53 research outputs
  • 2 Conference presentation / attendance