Superpower competition; middle powers in a world of superpowers
Vinod Aggarwal, Professor
Political Science
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
The Berkeley Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Study Center (BASC) brings together scholars from various disciplines, institutes, and centers from Berkeley and around the world to foster collaborative research on APEC and other trade-related issues.
We are looking for students interested in working on the US-China superpower competition, particularly in trade, finance, and investment. We are also looking for help with our project examining how middle powers are operating in an emerging bipolar world.
Our activities include research projects, business leadership conferences, international conferences, colloquia, policy briefings, newsletters, policy papers, and book publications. We also publish a leading quarterly academic journal, Business and Politics, as well as a semi-annual newsletter.
Over the past decade, BASC has trained a number of exceptional undergraduate students as research assistants for the Center, offering them an opportunity to develop their research skills while learning more about international political economic and business developments. Students work closely with graduate students as well as with Professor Vinod K. Aggarwal, and learn to conduct primary and secondary research, develop analytical skills, and write research papers for publication. The skills and recommendation letters from BASC have helped past students gain admission to top-tier law schools, graduate schools, and private firms.
Role: BASC Research Assistants work constantly on a variety of research tasks. They may assist with editorial tasks associated with the journal, Business and Politics. They will conduct background research cybersecurity, trade, APEC, and other topics as needed. Finally, RAs will contribute original opinion pieces to the BASC blog (http://basc.berkeley.edu) and the BASC annual newsletter.
Qualifications: BASC produces finished research products for various consumers, including government agencies, international organizations, and the academic community. BASC projects are often subject to hard deadlines and require rapid, professional-quality results. Because of these requirements, we demand the highest standards of our staff, including undergraduate research assistants. The following is a list of minimum requirements:
1) Superior writing skills. Consistent grades of A- and above in courses with significant writing components are strongly preferred.
2) Excellent research skills. We strongly recommend that applicants have written at least one research paper for a college-level class (preferably in political science, economics, or related fields) and received a grade of A- or higher.
3) Strong interest in Asian political, security and/or economic issues as demonstrated by familiarity with current regional trends, performance in related courses, previous work/internship experience, and (to a lesser degree) language work.
4) Familiarity with international relations theory through at least PS 120A level and familiarity with basic macroeconomic concepts (e.g. supply/demand, comparative advantage, GDP, effects of tariffs) are STRONGLY recommended. Students with a background in PEIS or economics are encouraged to apply.
5) Facility with Microsoft Word and Excel. Familiarity with online databases such as J-STOR and Google Scholar is a plus. We are especially interested in candidates with strong backgrounds in web design and desktop publishing, such as Photoshop and InDesign.
6) Editorial experience is a plus because so much of our work involves the research, preparation, and copyediting of publishable materials.
7) Reading knowledge of an East Asian language, while certainly not required, would be a huge asset.
8) Ability to think creatively, meet tight deadlines, and remain cool under pressure in a high-energy work environment is essential!
We seek to engage 1 new URAP student. Most URAP students at BASC have been in their junior and senior years. However, we will make exceptions to the above requirements for promising first- or second-year students who can demonstrate extraordinary capabilities and a willingness to learn on the job. For all candidates, a willingness to work for at least one year is especially advantageous.
Students with research-level foreign language skills should note these on their applications.
In addition, we are specifically looking for a research assistant to take charge of our computing and web and desktop publishing needs (see separate posting). This RA may participate in research activities as desired, but he or she would primarily be in charge of various technological aspects of BASC. Candidates should have strong backgrounds in Office, Photoshop, and InDesign. They should also be able to troubleshoot basic computer issues and provide occasional support to BASC staff. This position would be excellent for students looking to build portfolios or gain experience in this area. Candidates who are interested in this position (or feel that they may be qualified) should indicate this in their URAP application.
If you have a burning interest in Asian politics or economics, love a high-energy work environment and are a resourceful researcher and excellent writer, then we invite you to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Margaret Kenney
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Some in-person activities during Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters, with exceptions for potential changes in public health requirements around in-person gathering.
Related website: http://basc.berkeley.edu
Social Sciences