About us

Visiting Scholars Program

Pacific Forum hosts a select number of mid-career and senior security professionals as visiting scholars, allowing them to conduct research toward publication, participate in our ongoing events and dialogues, gain from professional exchanges and collaborations with Pacific Forum senior staff, and make use of our facilities.

Pacific Forum offers support for international visiting scholars’ in applying for visas to the United States.

Pacific Forum does not fund expenses related to visiting scholars’ transportation, accommodations, or cost of living in Honolulu.

Applying scholars are also subject to Pacific Forum’s residence fee, which includes costs for occupancy, visa fees, and staff support.

For more questions or to apply, please send a current copy of your CV, research proposal, and research proposal to [email protected].

Applicants may be asked to provide proof of financial support.

Responsibilities

Visiting scholars will be required to complete their research as outlined in the original proposal. Changes must be discussed in advance with the research coordinator.

Visiting scholars will be expected to regularly participate in Pacific Forum programs, events, and dialogues in Honolulu, and may be asked to provide commentary for The Pilot and speak to Pacific Forum’s next-gen contingent.

Current Visiting Scholars:

Dr. Sangbeom Yoo

Dr. Sangbeom Yoo is Professor at the Security Policy department of Korea National Defense University where he has been teaching U.S. foreign policy, International Conflicts and National Security. Prof. Yoo graduated Korea Military Academy in 1994 and got a M.A. from Korea National Defense University in the area of International Relations in 2005. He earned his Ph.D. in political science at the State University of New York in 2012. The areas of interest include U.S. foreign policy, counterinsurgency, onset of war, national security, and third-party intervention. His publications can be found in several academic journals such as Korea Observer, Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, Korean Journal of Security Analysis, Korean Journal of Defense Studies and Korean Journal of International Studies.

Moses Sakai

Moses Sakai is a Fulbright Scholar in residence at Pacific Forum for 2026-27. Between 2024 and 2025, he worked as a Research Fellow at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNG NRI), an independent public think tank based in the capital Port Moresby. a member of the Young Leaders Program of the Pacific since December 2023. In June-July 2024, Moses was a visiting scholar on US Foreign Policy at the University of Delaware under the US State Department’s Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Scholars Program. He is also a Regional Research Associate (Honorary) since August 2025 of the Indo-Pacific Studies Center (IPSC), a Sydney-based foreign policy think tank in Australia. His research interests lie on the US-China competition in the Pacific, US foreign policy in the Pacific, security and Pacific regionalism broadly. He was Pacific Forum’s Resident Lloyd and Lilian Vasey Fellow in the first half of 2026.

Kee Jeong

Kee Jeong is a career-long Army Strategic Intelligence officer with a focus on Northeast Asia. He has operational and strategic experience both with United States Forces Korea (USFK) and United States Forces Japan (USFJ). He earned his BA from University of Missouri and a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from National Intelligence University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Risk from Johns Hopkins. Kee is a strategic leader with experience directing executive operations, interagency coordination, and multinational collaboration across the Department of War, Intelligence Community, and allied partner organizations. He also has extensive track report leading cross-functional teams, managing enterprise initiatives, and fostering partnerships throughout the Pacific region.

Former Visiting Scholars:

“The Pacific Forum visiting fellowship offered an exceptional research environment. The conferences brought together scholars from a wide range of fields and career stages, and the intellectual stimulation they provided continues to inform my work since returning to my home institute. Despite Pacific Forum’s location in Honolulu, its webinar programming enabled regular exchange with researchers on the U.S. mainland and around the world. During the fellowship, I contributed to Pacific Forum’s publication and completed an article in an academic journal. The support extended to visiting fellows was outstanding, assisting not only my research but also my initial settlement in a new place.”

“I was a Visiting Scholar at Pacific Forum in 2019 for six months, where I worked on my research on Japan’s regional Coast Guard capacity-building. Pacific Forum offered an exceptional academic environment and access to some of the foremost experts on Asia. It was also an outstanding place to expand my professional network and exchange ideas with both established and up-and-coming scholars from across the region. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic career.”

“I was a visiting fellow with Pacific Forum in 2020. In addition to contributing articles, I had the opportunity to participate in closed-door research seminars. Taking full advantage of its location in Honolulu, the institute brought together people from an exceptionally wide range of backgrounds, giving me the opportunity to engage in stimulating discussions with them. Both the researchers and staff were very friendly. I found it a very stimulating yet comfortable environment in which to conduct research.”

“My six months at Pacific Forum provided an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to deepen my research on partnerships in the Indo-Pacific while engaging with its remarkable network of policymakers, scholars, and military leaders. Being based in Honolulu, close to U.S. Pacific Command, and participating in RIMPAC 2026, gave me a unique, first-hand perspective on regional security cooperation. Through the Annual Dinner and Honolulu Defense Forum, I built meaningful relationships across the Indo-Pacific community with people whom I will likely stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I benefitted tremendously from generous advice provided by Dr. David Santoro and Dr. Rob York throughout different stages of my research. When I look back at my time in Hawaii, I remain grateful for such a special period of my life, both personally and professionally, and I wholeheartedly recommend the Fellowship experience at Pacific Forum."