Laura Southgate

About the Author

Laura Southgate is a distinguished scholar and author specializing in international relations and Southeast Asian politics. With a PhD from the University of London, she has held academic positions at leading institutions, including the University of Warwick and the National University of Singapore, where her research explores the dynamics of regional security and state sovereignty. Southgate's work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, offering nuanced insights into how smaller states navigate power imbalances in multilateral settings. Her seminal book, ASEAN Resistance to Sovereignty Violation: Interests, Balancing and the Role of the Vanguard State, has become a cornerstone text for understanding ASEAN's strategic responses to external pressures. Through her writing, Southgate illuminates the complexities of regional autonomy and the pivotal role of vanguard states in fostering collective resilience, making her an essential voice in contemporary geopolitical discourse.