Dr Yoshiharu Kobayashi

Profile

I received my Ph.D in Political Science from Rice University in 2013.

Before starting my position in POLIS, I taught international relations and research methods at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan.

Research interests

My research examines the interplay between domestic politics and foreign policy. I am particularly interested in how public opinion distorts politicians' incentives in a way that results in seemingly irrational policy decisions. In my projects, I analyse various survey data to examine citizens' attitudes toward economic sanctions and foreign aid. My future research examines how public opinion influences foreign policy decisions.

My work also examines unintended consequences of foreign policy decisions. In one project, I conduct surveys to analyse the effects of the recent Western sanctions on Russia on domestic politics and civil conflict in Ukraine as well as on Ukraine-Russia relations.

I am also interested in the impact that non-traditional security threats, e.g. natural disasters, terrorism, civil wars, have on politics. One of my current projects examines how natural disasters affect individuals' voting behaviour.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Student education

I teach on the following modules:

• Research Methods (PIED5779)
• Advanced Statistical Analysis (PIED3704) 
• Analyzing Data in Politics, Development and International Relations (PIED2711)
• Approaches to Analysis (PIED2721)
• Politics of Aid (PIED3206)