Benton Gordon

Background

About Benton Gordon

I specialize in:Taiwan and ChinaNo coursework can compare to hopping on a moped, circling Taiwan, and learning about the island by talking to Taiwanese and migrant workers in Mandarin. Having worked in Taiwan for two years and lived in a homestay in Sichuan, I bring a personal touch to my analysis. My research projects and presentations – from folk religion’s role in Taiwanese domestic politics to the impact of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy – are often inspired and informed by my personal experiences.Digital and Emerging TechnologyAs someone who played in an online orchestra and lurked on nerdy forums growing up, I am fascinated by the ways the internet and other technologies bring people together in both constructive and dangerous ways. As a Cybersecurity Research Fellow at UW, my research focused on data privacy and technology-enhanced authoritarianism in China and Taiwan’s role in global internet governance.Human RightsMy professional experience has centered on defending U.S. interests (and universal human interests) by promoting human rights in China. As a Liu Xiaobo Fellow, I helped draft and fact check a Congressionally mandated report on human rights in China, researched Chinese companies implicated in rights abuses around the world and PRC digital authoritarianism, and published entries in a Political Prisoner Database I also previously worked with the Luke Alliance, conducting research to support advocacy on behalf of a religious prisoner in China.