Dr. Rich is an associate professor of political science at Western Kentucky University. His primary research interest concerns electoral politics in East Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan), with an emphasis on the impact of the mixed-member legislative system. His broader research interests include diverse topics in East Asian domestic and international politics, including North Korea politics, diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, cross-strait relations, and support for same-sex marriage legislation. Beyond East Asia, his research covers issues in other mixed-member systems (Germany, Mexico, Lesotho), Nigerian email scams, and the politics of microstates. Dr. Rich’s research for GTI ties Taiwan’s domestic politics to its international relations by identifying the factors that influence Taiwan’s formal diplomatic relations.