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Photograph of Christine Chin

Christine Chin Professor Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations

Degrees
PhD, American University

Bio
Dr. Chin’s research and teaching interests are in the political economy of transnational migration, Southeast Asian studies and intercultural relations. She is the author of In Service and Servitude: Foreign Female Domestic Workers and the Malaysian 'Modernity' Project, and has published in international academic journals such as International Feminist Journal of Politics, Third World Quarterly, and International Studies Perspective. She is also the author of two additional books. Cruising in the Global Economy: Profits, Pleasure and Work at Sea, examines the relationship between flag states, cruise lines, port communities, middle class consumers and foreign migrant workers in the global expansion of cruise tourism. Cosmopolitan Sex Workers: Women and Migration in a Global City examines the complex relationship between transnational migrant women and sex work in sex industries of global cities. Dr. Chin is the recipient of various teaching awards at the school and university levels: the most recent is American University’s 2010 Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time Appointment Award.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • SIS-642 Intercultural Relations

  • SISU-106 First Year Seminar: Global Migration

Fall 2024

  • SIS-642 Intercultural Relations

  • SISU-106 First Year Seminar: Global Migration

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Research Interests

Professor Chin's research and teaching interests are in the political economy of transnational migration, Southeast Asian studies and intercultural relations.

Selected Publications

  • Cosmopolitan Sex Workers: Women and Migration in a Global City. Oxford University Press, 2013.
  • Cruising in the Global Economy: Profits, Pleasure and Work at Sea. Ashgate Press, 2008.   
  • "Labour Flexibilisation at Sea: The 'Mini U[nited] N[ations] Crew on Cruise Ships"in International Feminist Journal of Politics 10, 1 (2008): 1 – 18. 2007).   
  • In Service and Servitude: Foreign Female Domestic Workers and the Malaysian 'Modernity' Project. Columbia University Press, 1988.

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

  • Co-Winner. Distinguished Book Award (Cosmopolitan Sex Workers: Women and Migration in a Global City), Political Economy of World Systems, American Sociological Association, August 2015.
  • Co-Winner. Yale H. Ferguson Book Award 2014 (Cosmopolitan Sex Workers), International Studies Association, January 2015.
  • Honorable Mention (Cosmopolitan Sex Workers). Best Book Award 2014, Ethnicity, Migration and Nationalism Section, International Studies Association. Spring 2014.
  • Scholar-Teacher of the Year, School of International Service, Spring 2014.
  • American University Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time Positions, Spring 2010.
  • American University Outstanding Professor Award in the UniversityHonors Program, 2002-2003.

Work In Progress

Race, Class and Gender in the Global Political Economy.

AU Experts

Area of Expertise

Global tourism, international migration, gender and development in Southeast Asia, intercultural communication, international education, intercultural relations, transnational migration, cruise industry, sex industry, prostitution

Additional Information

Christine Chin's most recent book is Cruising in the Global Economy: Profits, Pleasure and Work at Sea (Ashgate, 2008). She is also author of Cosmopolitan Sex Workers and Migration in a Global City (2013) and In 2010, she received the American University Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time Position.

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

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