University of Tehran | Iran
Dr. Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas is an accomplished scholar and academic leader specializing in International Relations, Regional Studies, and China–Middle East dynamics. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran’s Faculty of World Studies, Department of East and South Asian Studies, where she designs and delivers graduate-level courses on politics, China’s foreign policy, and global cultural transitions. Alongside her academic post, she is a Research Fellow at the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (Germany) and the Director of the China–MENA Relations Research Group at the Center for Scientific Research and Middle East Strategic Studies (Iran). With a blend of academic, policy, and research expertise, Dr. Yazdanshenas plays a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange on geopolitical developments, regional integration, and cross-cultural engagement.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Yazdanshenas holds a Ph.D. in Regional Studies from the University of Tehran, where her doctoral research explored the “Pivot to Asia Strategy” and its implications for the Middle East’s regional order under the guidance of distinguished professors. She earned her Master’s degree in International Relations from Shahid Beheshti University, focusing on China’s position in the international system and its strategic opportunities and challenges. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Shiraz, where she developed the foundational knowledge that would later underpin her scholarly focus on Asia–Middle East relations.
Experience
Dr. Yazdanshenas has an extensive academic and research portfolio. At the University of Tehran, she is responsible for graduate modules such as Introduction to Politics, China’s Foreign Policy, and Culture and Identity in a World in Transition. She has also served as Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran’s Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, and the University of Bojnord, teaching subjects including U.S. foreign policy, theories of regional studies, and international negotiations.
Her research experience spans roles as Researcher at the Islamic Parliament Research Center of Iran, where she produced policy reports on China’s foreign policy in Central and West Asia, and as a long-term Research Fellow at the Center for Scientific Research and Middle East Strategic Studies. She has actively engaged in project-based research funded by prestigious institutions, covering topics such as China’s antitrust laws, Iran–China strategic partnerships, and U.S. governmental foreign policy strategies. Beyond academia, she has contributed to the public discourse as a journalist and columnist for leading Iranian and international platforms.
Research Interests
Her research interests lie at the intersection of International Relations, Regional Studies, and comparative foreign policy, with a primary focus on China–Middle East relations, U.S.–China strategic rivalry, and geopolitical transitions in the MENA region. She is particularly engaged in examining how China’s expanding role affects regional connectivity, security dialogue, and economic integration. Other interests include identity politics in global affairs, international negotiations, and the influence of major power competition on regional orders. Her work blends theoretical analysis with policy-relevant insights, aiming to contribute both to academic scholarship and to informed policymaking.
Awards & Recognitions
While her academic career is defined more by scholarly contributions and leadership roles than formal awards, Dr. Yazdanshenas’s recognition comes through her international invitations to speak at high-profile conferences and panels. She has been a guest speaker at globally respected institutions and forums, including Princeton University, the Middle East Institute (Singapore), CARPO, and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. These invitations reflect the global relevance of her research and the esteem in which she is held by peers in academia and policy circles.
Publication
From Engaging to Containing China: US Attempts to Fill Power-role Gaps (2000–2018)
Authors: Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas
Journal: The International Spectator
Year: 2025
China-Iran Strategic Partnership and the Future of US Hegemony in the Persian Gulf Region
Authors: Alam Saleh, Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas
Journal: British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies
Year: 2024
Economic Diplomacy and China’s Strategy in Regulating Relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia
Authors: Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas
Journal: Strategic Studies of Public Policy
Year: 2022
International Institutions of the Middle East: The GCC, Arab League, and Arab Maghreb Union
Authors: Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas
Journal: British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies
Year: 2021
Conclusion
Dr. Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas stands out as a leading voice in analyzing and shaping the discourse on China–Middle East relations and broader geopolitical transformations. Her multidisciplinary expertise, teaching excellence, and extensive research engagements position her as both a scholar and a bridge-builder between academic research and policy application. Through her roles in academia, research institutes, and international platforms, she has contributed significantly to understanding the dynamics of regional orders and the interplay of global powers. Her ongoing work continues to influence scholarly debates, policy formulation, and cross-regional collaboration, underscoring her role as an influential figure in the evolving landscape of international relations.