My dissertation seeks to explain the selective repression of Protestant churches in China. Due to the sensitivity of the research topic and the lack of existing data, interviews have proven to be an especially valuable resource. Time and time again, I have found that those that have experienced persecution or are currently hiding from the government are not easy to meet, let alone persuade to share their personal, hurtful experiences. Fortunately, the IEAS Graduate Fellowship has allowed me opportunities to travel to multiple countries and cities in East Asia, where I was able to meet and build relationships with these interviewees, and gain insightful empirical and theoretical findings. Moreover, through these opportunities and fortuitous encounters, I am grateful to have grown to become an adventurous scholar, undaunted by the seemingly impossible.
- Sarah Lee
Department of Political Science
IEAS Fellow