Shipan LAI joined the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) during the 2018-2019 academic year from the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Huaqiao University (Quanzhou, China), where he serves as an associate professor and vice director of MAP (Master of Public Administration) program.

His research interests focus on organizational theory, Chinese state governance and Chinese local government behavior.  He has published several papers and led two research projects in his field.  During his time at Shorenstein APARC, Lai will conduct a study of the relationship between the Chinese local government’s task of economic development and its task of environmental protection.   

Lai holds a PhD in public management from Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou,China). He received his MA and BA in public management, both from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (Wuhan, China).