Kevin Pollpeter is a Senior Research Scientist at CNA. Before joining CNA he has served as deputy director of the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) project on the Study of Innovation and Technology in China (SITC), deputy director of the East Asia Program at Defense Group Inc., and a researcher at RAND. Mr. Pollpeter is widely published on China national security issues, focusing on China’s space program and information warfare. His recent publications include China’s Space Narrative: Examining the Portrayal of the US-China Space Relationship in Chinese Sources and Its Implications for the United States, China Dream, Space Dream: China’s Progress in Space Technologies and Implications for the United States, and Planning for Innovation: Understanding China’s Plans for Technological, and Defense Development. A Chinese linguist, he holds an MA in international policy studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and is currently enrolled in a PhD program at King’s College London.

 

Research interests

• China’s space program
• China military issues

 

Thesis

Pride, Power, and Prestige: China's Quest for Human Spaceflight and Standing in a New World Order

Kevin’s project focuses on China’s rise as a global power through its decision to send humans into space. It argues that China has sought to build strategic capabilities, like human spaceflight, not only for their ability to directly contribute to China’s national security, but also as a proxy for China’s economic and military prowess and an expression of China’s status as a world power.

Supervisors

• Professor Matthew Uttley (primary)
• Dr Mark Hilborne (secondary)