Dr Hugh Tuckfield is a political theorist and policy expert specialising in Indo-Pacific strategy, international security, and regional governance. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Studies Center (IPSC), an independent think tank advancing cross-regional research and dialogue on the strategic future of the Indo-Pacific.

Dr Tuckfield has served as a senior policy adviser to both state and federal governments in Australia, and has consulted to international agencies including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and international NGOs. He has held fellowships at Oxford University and the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, and has lectured at the University of Sydney and the Kathmandu School of Law. He holds degrees in Economics and Law from Monash University, and a Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation and PhD in Government and International Relations from the University of Sydney.

Dr. Kumari Mansi is a distinguished scholar and educator with a multifaceted background in both French studies and Political Science. Currently, she holds the prestigious position of MoFA Taiwan Fellow at the National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei, Taiwan. In addition, she has been honored with the Ministry of Education Taiwan Short Term Research Award (2022) at the post-doc level. Dr. Mansi has been contributing to the academic community as an Assistant Professor at Amity University, Haryana, India, since 2013. Her teaching journey began earlier as a guest lecturer at the School of Foreign Languages, Ministry of Defense, India. Her academic achievements are further highlighted by the awards she has received, including the Shastri Indo-Canadian Students Mobility Program (2012) and the Shastri Knowledge Grants Award (2014). These accolades reflect her dedication to research and education. Dr. Mansi's educational background is both rich and diverse. She earned her PhD from the School of International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). In addition to her doctoral studies, she holds two Master's degrees: an MA in French and an MA in Political Science. With her extensive experience, innovative research, and commitment to education, Dr. Kumari Mansi continues to be a leading figure in her field. Her work in both language studies and political science showcases her versatility and passion for fostering international understanding and collaboration.

Elizabeth Azaz serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Indo-Pacific Studies Center. In this role, she oversees the Center’s operations, partnerships, and research programs across the region. With a focus on coordination, strategic planning, and institutional development, she supports IPSC’s mission to foster dialogue and policy engagement on regional affairs. Her work includes guiding core initiatives, strengthening fellow networks, and supporting the delivery of IPSC’s education and outreach activities.

James JB Park, a Captain (R) of the Republic of Korea Army, is a 2024 Non-resident James A. Kelly Korea Studies Fellow. He began his public service as an interpreting officer stationed in the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, liaising between the two nations’ servicemen. He was awarded commendations from the Eighth United States Army and the Combined Forces Command. He is a Young Leader of the Pacific Forum and a NextGen member of the Royal United Services Institute. He holds a BA in Politics from NYU and is currently completing his MA at Columbia.

Rachel Lin serves as the Executive Assistant to Dr Hugh Tuckfield, Founder and Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Studies Center. She manages executive scheduling, coordinates fellow and partner engagement, and oversees priority communications on behalf of the Executive Office. With a strong background in international policy administration and executive support, Rachel ensures the smooth functioning of IPSC’s leadership operations across global time zones.