Anne-Marie Brady

Academic, political scientist

• Born: 1966
• Birthplace: New Zealand

Significance: Anne-Marie Brady is a professor of political science at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, where she specializes in Antarctic and Arctic politics. Her research on China’s polar interests and the domestic and foreign policy of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has strongly influenced the policy of the governments of the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

Background

Anne-Marie Brady was born in New Zealand in 1966. She received a bachelor’s degree in Chinese and political studies and a master’s degree in Asian Studies with first-class honors from the University of Auckland in 1989 and 1994, respectively. By 2000, she had earned a doctorate degree in East Asian studies and international relations at the Australian National University where her thesis was titled “Making the Foreign Serve China: Managing Foreigners in the People’s Republic of China.” Brady was quickly hired by the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has been teaching there since 2001. In 2009, Brady earned a post-graduate certificate in Antarctic studies at the University of Canterbury.

Life’s Work

Brady’s work has focused on understanding the influence and strategies of the CCP, both domestically and internationally. One of Brady’s notable contributions lies in her examination of the CCP’s control mechanisms and propaganda apparatus. In her 2008 book Marketing Dictatorship: Propaganda and Thought Work in Contemporary China, Brady examines how the CCP uses various tools, such as censorship, media manipulation, and ideological campaigns, to shape public opinion and suppress dissent.

Her research has also exposed the CCP’s use of sophisticated technology, such as the Great Firewall, which regulates the Internet in China, and the social credit system, to stifle dissent and control public opinion. By highlighting these tactics, Brady has deepened both scholars’ and politicians’ understanding of the challenges faced by activists, journalists, and regular citizens within China.

In addition to her research on domestic politics, Brady has also delved into China’s foreign policy objectives and strategies. She has analyzed China’s expansionist ambitions, particularly its assertive stance in territorial disputes in the South China Sea and with Taiwan. Her 2017 paper “China as a Polar Great Power” explores China’s expanding presence in the Arctic region. In the paper, Brady discusses China’s strategic motivations for involvement in the Arctic, including access to resources, shipping routes, and scientific research, and examines the implications of China’s growing influence in the region for global governance and security. She has also explored China’s use of economic leverage to advance its political objectives, such as through the Belt and Road Initiative.

Her research in the 2020 book Hidden Hand: Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party is Reshaping the World highlights China’s efforts to reshape international norms and institutions to align with its own interests such as its role in the United Nations and its impact on issues such as human rights, Internet governance, and climate change.

Brady is the founding and executive editor of The Polar Journal, published by Taylor & Francis. She has published op-eds in the New York Times, The Guardian, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Financial Times.

As a scholar, Brady has faced personal and professional challenges due to her research on China. At a conference in September 2017, Brady presented the paper “Magic Weapons: China’s Political Influence Activities Under Xi Jinping,” which details the CCP’s attempts to influence international opinion using New Zealand as a case study. Following the presentation of the paper, Brady was subjected to intimidation and harassment, including break-ins at her office and home. Local police and Interpol investigations reached an unresolved conclusion about the incidents, but many fellow academics and human-rights activists supported the theory that they were linked to Brady’s work and referred to them as an intimidation campaign. Despite these obstacles, Brady has continued to speak out and advocate for academic freedom and the importance of rigorous research about China’s political system.

Impact

Brady’s work has been instrumental in raising awareness about the challenges posed by China’s rise to global power and the potential implications for the international order. Brady’s work has had a significant impact on policymakers, academics, and the public. Her research has informed debates on China’s rise and its implications for global security and governance. She has provided valuable insights into the inner workings of the CCP and its strategies for maintaining domestic control and expanding its influence abroad to the governments of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which have heeded Brady’s warnings about China’s growing influence in their policies. Brady’s dedication to uncovering the truth in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to researchers and advocates who seek to understand and address the complex challenges posed by China’s political system.

In 2014, Brady was appointed to a two-year term on the World Economic Forum’s Global Action Council on the Arctic. In 2019, she was made a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi for her contribution toward the advancement of the humanities. She is the first female political scientist to be elected a Fellow of Royal Society Te Apārangi. Furthermore, in 2019 she was also awarded the New Zealand Women of Influence Global Influence Award for her “ground-breaking research into China’s covert foreign influence strategy in New Zealand.”

Bibliography

Brady, Anne-Marie. “New Zealand v China—We Could Ne the Next Albania. New Zealand Herald, 20 Feb. 2018, nzherald.co.nz/nz/anne-marie-brady-new-zealand-v-china-we-could-be-the-next-albania/UVF3XOCJYQ7FSWLHK7TC6NLVRM/?c‗id=1&objectid=11998271. Accessed 21 June 2023.

Edwards, Bryce. “Political Roundup: China’s ‘Magic Weapons’ in NZ.” New Zealand Herald, 11 Dec. 2017, nzherald.co.nz/nz/political-roundup-chinas-magic-weapons-in-nz/QFE3YPEL7IMECXAUVYBJNR4V6A/?c‗id=1&objectid=11958211. Accessed 21 June 2023.

Glaser, Bonnie S. “China’s Political Influence Activities: A Conversation with Anne-Marie Brady.” Center for Strategic & International Studies, 4 Dec. 2017, csis.org/podcasts/chinapower/chinas-political-influence-activities-conversation-anne-marie-brady. Accessed 21 June 2023.

Mudie, Luisetta, ed. “China Scholars Hit Out at New Zealand University Over Probe of Professor.” Radio Free Asia, 19 Oct. 2020, rfa.org/english/news/china/scholars-10192020094014.html. Accessed 21 June 2023.

“Professor Anne-Marie Brady.” University of Canterbury website, canterbury.ac.nz/arts/contact-us/people/anne-marie-brady.html. Accessed 21 June 2023.

Roy, Eleanor Ainge. “‘I’m Being Watched’: Anne-Marie Brady, the China Critic Living in Fear of Beijing.” The Guardian.com, 22 Jan. 2019, theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/23/im-being-watched-anne-marie-brady-the-china-critic-living-in-fear-of-beijing. Accessed 21 June 2023.