Dr Edward Howell
About
Edward is a Stipendiary Lecturer in Politics at New College, University of Oxford. His research expertise is focused on the Korean Peninsula, and the international relations of East Asia. He is the only researcher across the University conducting ongoing research on contemporary North Korea and its international relations.
Edward specialises in North Korea’s domestic and foreign policy, particularly its nuclear programme, and the relationships between North Korea, the US, and the wider international community. His research has included the impact of the North Korean nuclear programme on domestic ideology, and regime survival. Edward’s current research examines the evolution of North Korea’s nuclear programme over time, and North Korea’s quest for international status regarding its changing relations with the international community.
Wider research interests include China’s foreign relations, and the politics of the East Asian region more broadly.
In addition to his academic research, Edward is an experienced analyst, and has provided frequent commentary and analysis on North Korea, for national and international newspapers and news channels. Edward is always willing to provide comments for media outlets, especially given the global spotlight on North Korea at the present time.
Expertise
- North Korea’s nuclear programme
- North Korean politics
- Relations between North Korea and the USA
- Inter-Korean relations
- International Relations of Northeast Asia
- Nuclear weapons in international politics
Selected publications
- The juche H-bomb? North Korea, nuclear weapons and regime-state survival. International Affairs 96(4), 1051-1068
- Book review: Becoming Kim Jong Un: a former CIA officer's insights into North Korea's enigmatic young dictator. International Affairs 97(1), 254-256
- Obstacles to North Korean denuclearisation remain formidable
- Who will step up to jump-start talks on North Korean nuclear threat?
- Why South Korea needs help reining in the North
- Tensions from Korea spread to London's Koreatown
- How Kim Jong-un is schooling Trump in the art of the phantom deal
Media experience
I frequently appear as a commentator for national and international media, on issues regarding North Korea’s nuclear programme, domestic and foreign policy, and the relations between North Korea and the US. I provide analysis on North Korea’s domestic and foreign policies to national and international news channels, and also contribute regular op-eds to national and international newspapers. I also provide policy analysis on inter-Korean relations, as well as South and North Korean politics.
Recent media work
Languages
English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, French