Andrew S. Erickson, Ph.D.
Professor China Maritime Studies Institute
Biography
Dr. Andrew S. Erickson (艾立信) is Professor of Strategy (tenured full professor) in NWC’s China Maritime Studies Institute. A core founding member, he helped establish CMSI and stand it up officially in 2006 and has played an integral role in its development; from 2021–23 he served as Research Director. CMSI inspired the creation of other Department of Defense research centers, which he has advised and supported; he is a China Aerospace Studies Institute Associate. Erickson has taught courses at NWC and Yonsei University, advises NWC student research and curricula, and supports NWC’s scholarly research relations with Japanese counterparts. He provides flag officer tailored education for NWC, both on and off campus; including in Honolulu, Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Naples.
Contact Information
Areas of Expertise
- A2/AD
- Aerospace
- Asia-Pacific
- Asymmetrical Warfare
- China
- China Maritime Studies Institute
- Cold War
- Deterrence
- Diplomacy
- Foreign Policy
- Geopolitics
- Indian Ocean
- International Relations
- Maritime History
- Maritime Strategy
- Military Technology
- National Security
- Piracy
- South China Sea
- Space
- Taiwan
- Weapon Systems
Professional Highlights
Professor of Strategy, China Maritime Studies Institute, Naval War College
Professor of Strategy and Research Director, China Maritime Studies Institute, Naval War College
Professor of Strategy, China Maritime Studies Institute, Naval War College
Associate Professor, China Maritime Studies Institute, Naval War College
Assistant Professor, Strategic Research Department, Naval War College
Research Fellow, Strategic Research Department, Naval War College
Chinese Translator/Technical Analyst, Marine Science & Technology Division, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Education
Ph.D., Princeton University, Politics (dissertation: “Great Power Aerospace Development: China’s Quest for the Highest High Ground”)
M.A., Princeton University, Politics (concentration: China/comparative politics and international relations)
B.A., Amherst College, History and Political Science magna cum laude (additional certificate in international relations)
Related Credentials
Advanced Military Maritime Chinese Program, Naval War College
2008 to present
Advanced Chinese Study, Princeton in Beijing, Princeton University
2003
Intensive Intermediate Chinese Study, Princeton in Beijing, College of Chinese Language and Culture, Beijing Normal University
2002
Study of Japanese language, politics, and economics, Associated Kyoto Program, Doshisha University
1999-2000
Research Contributions and Publications
Awards and Decorations
Commandant of the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program’s Reading List
For coedited volume “Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion”
2025
Samuel B. Griffith Foundation’s Publication of the Year
For coedited volume “Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion”
2025
Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal
U.S. Navy, 2024
Inaugural Civilian Faculty Research Excellence Award
Naval War College, 2017
Inaugural Ellis Joffe Prize for PLA Studies
National Bureau of Asian Research, 2012
Naval War College Foundation Capt. Hugh G. Nott Prize
Second Place, 2009
U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest
Third Prize, 2009
Naval War College Foundation Capt. Hugh G. Nott Prize
First Place, 2006
Other Honors
Associate in Research, John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University
2008-present
Series Editor, Studies in Chinese Maritime Development
2005-present
Expert Contributor, China Real Time Report, Wall Street Journal
2012-2017
Deployed in Pacific as Naval Postgraduate School Regional Security Education Program scholar aboard flagship aircraft carrier USS Nimitz
2013
Fellow, Princeton (Columbia)-Harvard China and the World Program, in residence at Center for Government and International Studies, Harvard University
2010-2011
Fellow, Public Intellectuals Program, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
2008-2011
External Memberships and Associations
Naval War College Review
Member, Editorial Board
Asia Policy
Member, Editorial Board
19FortyFive
Contributing Editor
Council on Foreign Relations
Life Member
Institute of Maritime Policy & Strategy
Member, International Advisory Committee
Japan-America Society of Southern New England and Japan-America Navy Friendship Association (JANAFA)-Newport
Member, Board of Directors
International Academy of Astronautics
Member, History Committee
International Studies Association
Member
American Political Science Association
Member
Association for Asian Studies
Life Member/Patron
U.S. Naval Institute
Member
Naval War College Foundation
Life Member
National Defense Industrial Association
Member
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