Shang (Sun) Shen to Chair Global Governance Panel at NPSA Annual Conference

By: Felicia Guo

This November, Princeton University scholar Shang (Sun) Shen will take the stage as Chair of the Global Governance Panel at the upcoming Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA) Annual Conference, one of the most esteemed academic gatherings in North America. Known for her unique combination of dual expertise in law and political science, Shen represents a new generation of interdisciplinary scholars contributing to the future of global governance research.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Princeton University, Shen’s work intersects the fields of international relations and law, focusing on how the United States negotiates and implements global agreements in security, economics, and technology. Her innovative research brings together quantitative methods and legal analysis, offering a level of empirical precision that is still relatively uncommon in traditional legal studies. Supported by Princeton’s Center for International Security Studies (CISS), her doctoral projects examine the dynamics of U.S. cooperation in key global sectors and the evolving role of federal courts in shaping foreign and immigration policy.

“Bringing data-driven methods into legal research helps us understand global decision-making in a more nuanced way,” said Shen in a recent interview. “Policy is not just about law or politics—it’s about how the two interact to shape real-world outcomes for nations and people.”

Before joining Princeton, Shen earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from William & Mary Law School, where she served as an Articles Editor for the Bill of Rights Journal, one of the top five constitutional law journals in the United States according to the Washington & Lee Law Journal Rankings. During her law studies, she published her own legal article on U.S. immigration policy, titled “Limited Protection: The Impact of Illegal Entry on Due Process Rights in Expedited Removal Proceedings,” contributing to the national discussion on the balance between due process and border enforcement.

Shen’s academic journey began at Cornell University, where she graduated with honors in Political Science in 2018. Her thesis on U.S.-China-Russia cooperation in counterterrorism and global security earned her the Lieutenant David Chrystall Award, presented annually to the student with the most outstanding contribution to international peace and diplomacy. Notably, she was the only Asian scholar to receive this distinction in her graduating year.

Over the past several years, Shen’s research has been presented at multiple national academic conferences, including the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Annual Conference and the Law and Society Association Annual Meeting, where she has also served as a paper reviewer and discussant for multiple panels. She has also participated in the American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting. Her upcoming chairmanship at NPSA highlights her growing role not only as a researcher but also as a leader in the political science community.

As Chair of the Global Governance Panel, Shen will oversee a series of discussions on how emerging geopolitical shifts and technological developments are reshaping cooperation among nations. The panel is anticipated to cover topics ranging from internet regulation and climate governance to economic interdependence and global security frameworks.

“Today’s world demands interdisciplinary problem-solvers,” Shen explained. “International law and political science are no longer separate spheres—they must be integrated if we are to address challenges like cybersecurity, climate change, and human rights protection in an effective manner.”

Beyond research, Shen is known at Princeton for her teaching excellence. She has taught and served as Head Teaching Assistant for undergraduate courses such as Introduction to International Relations and U.S. Foreign Policy, leading teams of assistants and mentoring over 200 students. Her ability to connect complex theoretical models to real-world political outcomes has made her a respected figure among both faculty and students.

Shen’s contributions have also been recognized through multiple Princeton awards and fellowships, including the CISS Dissertation Fellowship, the Dean’s Fund for Scholarly Travel, and the Stafford Research Award.

Her work reflects a broader mission—to merge rigorous legal analysis with the practical realities of global politics. As she prepares to lead one of NPSA’s most noteworthy panels, Shen continues to embody the interdisciplinary spirit that defines the next generation of global governance scholars.

“Understanding governance today means thinking beyond borders,” Shen concluded. “It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of law, politics, and humanity—and finding solutions that address them all.”