Chih-Chien Liu

Liu Chih Chien has a sociological background, having earned his postgraduate degree from the Department of Sociology at National Tsin-Hua University, Taiwan. His master's thesis research focused on the political and social factors that influence the global spread of disease, using cross-national statistical data. 

This work helped him develop strong skills in quantitative research, combining empirical analysis with theoretical insights.  Before pursuing his PhD, Liu Chih Chien worked as a program officer at the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the first national democracy assistance foundation established in Asia. The foundation’s basic mission is to become a sustainable, visionary, transparent, and non-partisan institution in Taiwan. There, he managed international collaboration projects and coordinated global conferences and forums. This experience not only enhanced his project management skills but also deepened his understanding of democracy's retreat and consolidation in today's political and social environment.  

Liu Chih-Chien is currently a PhD student in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics at SOAS, University of London. His lead supervisor is Dr. Yenn Lee, an active researcher in digital culture and politics with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, while the secondary supervisor is Professor Dafydd Fell, whose main research focuses on Taiwan’s political parties and electoral politics. Liu Chih-Chien's research centers on the impact of digital technology on the political landscape and democratic responses, with particular emphasis on experiences in East Asia.  

Liu Chih Chien's doctoral thesis explores the ongoing role of digital technologies—such as social media and artificial intelligence—in the context of the democratic recession, marked by authoritarian diffusion, populism, polarization, and post-truth politics, especially in Taiwan and East Asia. Given Taiwan's unique international status and ongoing threats of authoritarian influence, research on information manipulation, civil society, and democratic resilience in Taiwan is particularly important. He is open to collaboration and exchange on related digital technology research, democracy studies, and related fields.

Digital technology research impact on politics and democracy in contemporary society