Jundai Liu is a WCED Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2019-21 academic years. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University in 2018. With comparative-historical and qualitative methods, her research lies broadly in political sociology, sociology of development, and historical sociology, with a focus on China and East Asia. She is currently working on a book manuscript building upon her dissertation to examine different patterns of villagers’ political behavior where there were major stakes and conflicts brought about by active land development in China.
As a WCED Fellow, Jundai will conduct new research to answer a central question: Under tight state control, how and why do Chinese veterans get mobilized, overcome the dilemma of collective action, and effectively organize political activities in both routine and contentious ways? She will investigate the processes and mechanisms by which veterans present a dilemma of suppression to the Chinese government, create political opportunities by claiming legitimacy, and effectively mobilize political participation by building strong solidarity.
Education
- Ph.D., Sociology, Harvard University, 2018
- B.A., Law and Sociology, Peking University, 2001
Awards and Honors
- Real Estate Academic Initiative Research Grant, Harvard University (2007)
- Desmond and Whitney Shum Fellowship, Harvard University (2006)
