The UP Asian Center will be holding the onsite public lecture "Studying Maritime Piracy in Southeast Asia: Theories, Methods, and Research Frontiers" on 10 February 2026, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, PST (GMT+8), at the Japan Hall, UP Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. The event is free and open to the public. Online pre-registration is recommended due to limited seating.
ABOUT THE LECTURE
This lecture surveys contemporary maritime piracy scholarship in Southeast Asia through four theoretical frameworks: historical-anthropological approaches, weak state/governance theory, rational choice economic models, and institutional complexity perspectives. Methodologically, research employs GIS spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and mixed methods utilizing IMO GISIS, ReCAAP ISC, and IMB databases. Critical knowledge gaps requiring further investigation include: (1) coastal economics-piracy linkages; (2) governance effectiveness evaluation; (3) climate change impacts on maritime crime; and (4) piracy-transnational crime convergence. Future research priorities include interdisciplinary integration, machine learning and predictive analytics applications, and structural policy interventions addressing root causes beyond enforcement strategies.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
XU Ke, Ph.D.
School of International Relations, Xiamen University
XU Ke, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of International Relations and Research School of Southeast Asian Studies, Xiamen University. Before joining Xiamen University, he obtained his Ph.D. from the Southeast Asian Studies Programme of the National University of Singapore, and served as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Maritime Studies, NUS. His research focuses on maritime security in Southeast Asia, particularly maritime piracy. He has published two monographs, multiple book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles on maritime piracy and regional security issues. He currently serves as Principal Investigator for a National Social Science Fund Project, conducting comparative studies on maritime security perceptions and policies across Southeast Asian states.