Dr. Ceren Ergenc is a Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and an affiliated researcher at the East Asian Studies and Research Centre, Autonomous University of Barcelona. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Boston University and has built a distinguished academic and research career focusing on China Studies and the European Union’s external relations, with a particular emphasis on Asia. Her expertise lies in examining China’s domestic and international policy processes, its investments across the greater European region, and the intersection of industrial policymaking with participatory governance and urban politics.
Ceren’s research portfolio is diverse, covering key topics such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the dynamics of local governance in China, and the broader geopolitical implications of China’s rise as a global power. Her work has been featured in leading academic journals and think tank publications, including Asia Europe Journal, Journal of Chinese Governance, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, contributing significantly to scholarly discourse on China’s role in global affairs.
Fluent in English and proficient in Chinese, Ceren’s linguistic abilities have enabled her to engage deeply with Chinese primary sources and conduct field research across Asia and Europe. Her insights into China’s strategic ambitions and the European Union’s evolving relationship with Asia have been instrumental in shaping policy discussions on these critical issues.
In addition to her research work, Ceren has an extensive teaching background. She previously served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Middle East Technical University in Turkey and later as an Associate Professor of China Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China.
