Dr. Charmaine Willis, new Assistant Professor in Political Science and Asian Politics, has published a novel article, 'Not seeing the forest for the helicopters: UNESCO recognition and resistance to the US military in Okinawa,' in the journal Social Movement Studies. Based on extensive interviews and primary sources, the research makes a significant contribution to the study of transnational activism by showing how Okinawan environmental groups repurposed the UNESCO World Natural Heritage process to challenge the environmental impact of the U.S. military presence.
The case study demonstrates the nuanced ways civil organizations leverage international recognition processes for local political goals. Willis' work deepens the Department of Political Science and Geography and International Programs' coverage of Asia's role in global governance and international security, providing students and scholars with essential new perspectives on power dynamics between states, international organizations, and local populations.