It is a real privilege to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Having come to historical research through work in public policy and international affairs, I have long been interested in how history informs real-world decision-making. I am grateful to colleagues and mentors who supported that path and shaped my work. In a future that appears increasingly uncertain, I look forward to contributing to the Society’s efforts to advance historical scholarship, champion the value of historical thinking, and promote its relevance across disciplines and sectors, in the UK and internationally.”
Dr Giuseppe Paparella, Lecturer in East Asian Security
20 May 2026
Dr Giuseppe Paparella elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Dr Giuseppe Paparella, Lecturer in East Asian Security in the Department of War Studies at King’s, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, in recognition of his contribution to historical research.
Dr Giuseppe Paparella, Lecturer in East Asian Security in the Department of War Studies at King’s, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, in recognition of his contribution to historical research.
Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society is awarded by election and recognises scholars who have made a significant contribution to historical scholarship, particularly through publications including books and peer-reviewed articles. This year, Dr Paparella joins a cohort of 116 newly elected Fellows from 16 countries – including Australia, Belgium, China, Cyprus, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States – highlighting the Society’s international reach and its commitment to advancing historical research worldwide. Dr Paparella had previously served as an Associate Fellow of the Society for five years prior to his election.
The Royal Historical Society, founded in 1868, is the UK’s foremost learned society dedicated to the advancement of historical scholarship. It supports historians through research funding, advocacy and initiatives that promote the value of history in public and academic life.
Dr Paparella’s research sits at the intersection of history and international affairs, with a focus on East Asian security. He is the author of Abiding Influence: Presidents, Nationalist Beliefs, and US Policy in the Asia Pacific, 1898–1972 (Stanford University Press, 2025). The book examines key moments between 1898 and 1972, showing how four US presidents’ nationalist beliefs – alongside regional crises and transformations – shaped American policy in the Asia-Pacific, helping to establish the region’s enduring importance in US policymaking.
About Dr Giuseppe Paparella
Before joining King’s, Dr Paparella held research fellowships at the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, William & Mary, and George Washington University. An expert in US foreign policy and East Asian security, his work has been published in leading academic journals including the Journal of Transatlantic Studies, International History Review and the Journal of Applied History, as well as policy outlets such as The Diplomat. Prior to his academic career, he worked in public and global health policy, contributing to research published in journals including The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Lecturer in East Asian Security