Sonya Chen’s research, writing, and teaching focus on Asian American politics, social movements and organizations, and interminority and solidarity politics. Her book project examines the Stop Asian Hate movement and the broader contemporary movement against anti-Asian violence, exploring how Asian Americans are making political demands, constructing the political meaning of anti-Asian violence, and (dis)investing in carceral frameworks and institutions. Bridging empirical methods including interviews, discourse analysis, and surveys, with critical theories of identity politics and feminist thought, the project grapples with the political and ethical consequences of Asian American claims about racial injury and pursuits of racial justice. Sonya’s work has been published in Politics, Groups, and Identities. In tandem with her academic scholarship, she has been involved in advocating for Asian American studies in K-12 and higher education, building new structures of collective care through mutual aid, and conducting research with community organizations about racial violence and healing. She received her Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University in 2024.
Sonya will be teaching ASAM 1900 Asian American Politics in the fall.