Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller

Research Fellow

Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller

  • Short CV

    • 11/2025 - present: Speaker of the working group "Development & infrastructure" of the Leibniz Research Network China
    • 02/2025 - present:  Research Fellow, GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 03/2023 - present: Associate Fellow, Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institute Freiburg
    • 09/2023 - 11/2025: Expert, Horizons Research Consortium "Dealing with a resurgent China" (DWARC)
    • 10/2020 - 01/2025: Research Fellow & Lecturer, Chair for International Relations, University of Freiburg
    • 02/2022-03/2022: Visiting Fellow, King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    • 10/2018 - 11/2024: Associate Fellow, Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO)
    • 02/2019-03/2019: Visiting Fellow, Tongji University Shanghai, PRC
    • 10/2017 - 09/2020: Research Fellow & Lecturer, Chair for Multilevel Governance, University of Freiburg
    • 09/2015 – 09/2016: Research assistant, Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies (BICC)
    • 2020: PhD in International Relations (Thesis title: "EU-China security relations amidst global tensions"), University of Freiburg
    • Education: M.A. in International Relations - University of Bonn; B.A. in Political Science, Sociology and Media Studies -  University of Düsseldorf and University of Granada (Spain)

    Current Research

    • Chinese foreign policy
    • connectivity & infrastructure politics
    • narratives in world politics
    • authoritarian politics

    Countries and Regions

    • China

    Memberships

    • Association for Social Science Research on China (ASC), Membership in region-specific association or network, since 2025
    • Leibniz Association, Leibniz Research Network on China, since 2025
    • China Horizons Research Consortium, Member of the expert network, 2023 - 2025
    • Die Junge Akademie, Other functions, 2022 - 2027
    • International Studies Association (ISA), Mitglied der International Studies Association, since 2018
    • German Political Science Association (DVPW), Mitglied der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politikwissenschaften , since 2017

    Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller

    Research Fellow

    [email protected]

    GIGA Focus Global | 2/2026

    China’s Global Security Initiative and Its Reception in the Global South

    China’s Global Security Initiative projects its stability-focused security model abroad. How do East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East perceive the GSI? What does this mean for the future of the international security order? And how should Germany and the EU best respond?

    GIGA Insights | 01/2026

    What Directions Might China–Venezuela Relations Take after Maduro’s Downfall?

    China and Venezuela’s long-standing alliance faces its toughest test yet after Maduro’s arrest. From oil-for-loans deals to digital surveillance and military cooperation, Beijing now risks losing influence as Washington moves to assert dominance over Caracas.

    Global Studies Quarterly | 02/2026

    Reimagining Global Governance: Strategic Pluralism, Normative Blending, and the Emergence of a Polycentric Order

    This article reframes contemporary global governance as structural transformation rather than decline. Introducing strategic pluralism, normative blending, and polycentricity, it shows how Global South actors act as co-creators of flexible, multi-scalar authority through pragmatic alliances and context-specific norm-making.

    GIGA Focus Global | 2/2026

    China’s Global Security Initiative and Its Reception in the Global South

    China’s Global Security Initiative projects its stability-focused security model abroad. How do East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East perceive the GSI? What does this mean for the future of the international security order? And how should Germany and the EU best respond?

    GIGA Insights | 01/2026

    What Directions Might China–Venezuela Relations Take after Maduro’s Downfall?

    China and Venezuela’s long-standing alliance faces its toughest test yet after Maduro’s arrest. From oil-for-loans deals to digital surveillance and military cooperation, Beijing now risks losing influence as Washington moves to assert dominance over Caracas.

    Research Project | 01/11/2025 - 31/10/2028

    Leibniz Research Network "China"

    The Leibniz Research Network "China" consolidates existing China expertise within the Leibniz Association and makes it politically utilisable. In addition, experience-sharing between members supports them in conducting cooperation with Chinese partners while maintaining research security. The GIGA contributes to the network, inter alia, with its expertise on China’s foreign policy.
    Leibniz Association, 2025-2028

    F.A.Z. | Interview | 28/02/2026

    Im Jahr des Feuerpferdes: Merz und die neue China-Realität

    In Peking hat Merz für eine stärkere strategische Partnerschaft geworben – während das deutsche Handelsdefizit wächst. Von „Systemrivalität“ oder „DeRisking“ war bei seiner Reise öffentlich kaum eine Rede. Was bedeutet das für Deutschlands und Europas künftigen Umgang mit China? GIGA-Forscherin Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller ordnet ein. 

    WDR5 Morgenecho | Interview | 26/02/2026

    Merz in China: Die politische Dimension

    Für das WDR5 Morgenecho ordnet Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller den ersten Tag des China-Besuchs von Friedrich Merz ein. Was hat er politisch in Peking erreicht? Was steht in Hangzhou wirtschaftlich auf dem Spiel? Und wie passen De-Risking und wirtschaftliche Kooperation eigentlich langfristig zusammen? 

    The Asahi Shimbun | Interview | 25/02/2026

    Friedrich Merz reist nach China: Kann er dort europäische Geschlossenheit demonstrieren?

    Friedrich Merz reist zum ersten Mal in seiner Kanzlerschaft nach China - was steht dort politisch und wirtschaftlich auf der Agenda und wie passt der Besuch in die Asienstrategie der deutschen Bundesregierung? Das ordnet Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller für die japanische Zeitung Asahi Shimbun ein. 

    Conference | 27/11/2025 - 28/11/2025

    Roundtable "China Studies and Policy Impact"

    Annual Meeting of the Association for Social Science Research on China, Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), Berlin Organisers: Mercator Institute for China Studies Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Consultant)

    Together with Mikko Huotari (MERICS), Anne Braun (FFO) and Stefan Messingschlager (Helmut-Schmidt University), Julia Gurol-Haller discussed the challenges and opportunities for policy transfer and policy impact as well as knowledge transfer in contemporary China studies.

    Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | 14/10/2025

    Chinas New Silk Road: Global power projection or failed vision?

    Organiser: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Speaker)

    What has China achieved with the BRI and where does the project reach its limits? What successes and setbacks has the BRI produced so far? And how does the initiative affect the international order? Julia Gurol-Haller discussed these questions in a live stream.

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