Professor Hugo Dobson

BA, MA (Leeds), MEd, PhD (Sheffield)

School of Languages, Arts and Societies

Professor of Japan's International Relations

Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Faculty Director of One University Strategy Delivery (Social Sciences)

Hugo Dobson profile photo 2025
Profile picture of Hugo Dobson profile photo 2025
h.dobson@sheffield.ac.uk
Jessop West

Full contact details

Professor Hugo Dobson
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
Jessop West
1 Upper Hanover Street
Sheffield
S3 7RA
Profile

Hugo Dobson was awarded his PhD from the School of East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield in 1998. His thesis explored Japan’s participation in United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping operations.

He has worked as a research fellow in the International Centre for Comparative Law and Politics at the University of Tokyo (1997-1999) and lecturer in the international relations of East Asia in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent (1999-2000).

He returned to Sheffield in 2001 as a lecturer in Japan’s international relations, becoming a senior lecturer in 2005 and a professor in 2009. Hugo was Head of the School of East Asian Studies from 2013 to 2019.

His research interests are broadly divided into two strands. The first strand focuses upon Japan's role in international relations, multilateral organisations and global governance, especially the G7 and G20. He has participated in G7 and G20 engagement groups known as the Think 7 and Think 20 that act as an 'ideas bank'.

The second strand of his research explores the role of images in shaping our understanding of international relations and Japan’s role in the world, from postage stamps and logos to TV programmes such as The Simpsons.

He has been the recipient of a number of research grants and has been invited to teach and research at various institutions around the world including the University of Tokyo, Hosei University in Tokyo, Zurich University and Charles University in Prague.

Qualifications

BA, MA (Leeds)

MEd, PhD (Sheffield)

Research interests

Professor Dobson's research explores informal global summitry, in particular the Group of 7 (G7) and Group of 20 (G20).

In particular, he is interested in understanding how the Japanese government and people engage with these groups. To this end, he attended a number of G7 and G20 summits as a Policy Analyst in recent years.

He has recently published a book , while conducting research for another book on the role of former prime ministers in Japanese politics.

Publications

Books

  • Dobson H, Narita K & Rose C (2025) . Bristol University Press.
  • DOBSON H (2024) UNPACKING THE G20 Insights from the Summit.
  • Hook GD, Gilson J, Hughes CW & Dobson H (2011) . Routledge.
  • Dobson HJ (2011) Nihon to Igirisu no Senso to Wakai. Hosei Daigaku Shuppankyoku.
  • Dobson H & Nobuko K (2009) .
  • Dobson H & Nobuko K (2009) Preface.
  • Dobson H (2007) The Group of 7/8. Taylor & Francis.
  • Dobson H (2004) .
  • Dobson H (2003) Japan and UN Peacekeeping New Pressures and New Responses. Routledge.
  • Hook GD, Gilson J, Hughes CW & Dobson H (2001) . Taylor & Francis.
  • () . Routledge.
  • Dobson H () . Routledge.
  • Dobson H, Gilson J, Hook GD & Hughes CW () . Routledge.
  • Dobson H () . Routledge.
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Edited books

  • Dobson H (Ed.) (2023) Special Issue: Understanding prime ministerial leadership in the United Kingdom and Japan in the 21st century. Sage.
  • Hook G (Ed.) (2010) Decoding Boundaries in Contemporary Japan; the eKoizumi administration and beyond. Routledge.
  • Hook GD (Ed.) (2005) . Taylor & Francis.
  • Dobson H & Hook GD (Ed.) (2003) . Taylor & Francis.
  • Hook GD & Dobson H (Ed.) () . Routledge.
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Journal articles

  • Dobson H (2023) . Japanese Studies, 43(1), 115-116.
  • (2023) Understanding prime ministerial leadership in the United Kingdom and Japan in the 21st century, 8.
  • Dobson H (2022) . Journal of Japanese Studies, 48(1), 226-230.
  • Dobson H, Bishop ML, Enns C, Horn P & Stiles G (2021) . Global Policy, 12(1), 131-139.
  • Dobson H (2019) . The Journal of Japanese studies, 45(2), 369-371.
  • Morin J-F, Dobson H, Peacock C, Prys-Hansen M, Anne A, Bélanger L, Dietsch P, Fabian J, Kirton J, Marchetti R , Romano S et al (2019) . Global Policy, 10(2), 267-273.
  • Dobson HJ & Rose C (2019) . Journal of Contemporary Asia, 49(1), 127-150.
  • Dobson H (2017) ‘Nihon Seiji ni Okeru Motoshusho no Tachiba – Ima no Sori ha Ittai Dare?’ / ’Former Prime Ministers in Japanese Politics: Who’s Sori Now?’. Kamizono, 18, 210-218.
  • Cooper AF, Dobson HJ & Wheeler M (2017) . Celebrity Studies, 8(2), 312-317.
  • Dobson HJ (2017) . Journal of Contemporary Asia, 47(2), 199-224.
  • Dobson H (2016) . The China Quarterly, 228, 1108-1109.
  • Dobson H (2016) . Japan Forum, 28(1), 128-129.
  • Chin GT & Dobson HJ (2015) . Global Summitry, 1(2), 151-170.
  • (2014) . The Journal of Japanese Studies, 40(1), 259-262.
  • Dobson HJ (2013) Japan’s Role in the New Global Economic Governance: Domestic and International Factors. ASIEN: The German Journal on Contemporary Asia, 128, 79-92.
  • Dobson HJ (2013) The Cameron Government and Gx Leadership. Global Summitry Journal, 1.
  • Dobson HJ (2012) . Global Society, 26(4), 429-449.
  • Dobson HJ (2012) . Japanese Studies, 32(2), 237-253.
  • Cherry J & Dobson H (2012) . Global Governance, 18(3), 363-381.
  • Dobson HJ (2012) . The Pacific Review(2), 175-198.
  • Dobson HJ (2011) . International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 12(2), 229-257.
  • Dobson HJ (2011) Japanese postage stamps: propaganda and decision making. Japan Forum, 14(1), 21-39.
  • Dobson H (2010) . The Journal of Japanese Studies, 36(1), 118-122.
  • Dobson H (2010) . Politics, 30(SUPPL. 1), 33-42.
  • Dobson H (2010) . Journal of Cold War Studies, 12(1), 166-167.
  • Dobson H (2009) . International Journal: Canada's Journal of Global Policy Analysis, 64(3), 856-858.
  • DOBSON H (2009) . Gender & History, 21(2), 449-450.
  • Dobson H (2009) . Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 37(3), 820-821.
  • Dobson H (2009) NORMALIZING JAPAN: Politics, Identity, and the Evolution of Security Practice.. PACIFIC AFFAIRS, 82(1), 135-137.
  • Dobson HJ (2008) The 2008 Hokkaido-Toyako G8 Summit: neither summit nor plummet. Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, 48(5).
  • Deans P & Dobson H (2005) . East Asia, 22(2), 3-7.
  • Dobson H (2005) . European Journal of Communication, 20(2), 263-266.
  • Dobson H (2005) . Global Society, 19(2), 211-223.
  • Dobson H (2004) . Asian Business & Management, 3(1), 139-141.
  • Hook G, Gilson J, Hughes CW & Dobson HJ (2002) Japan and the East Asian Financial Crisis: Patterns, Motivations and Instrumentalisation of Japanese Regional Economic Diplomacy. European Journal of East Asian Studies, 1(2), 177-197.
  • Dobson H, Wilson G & Mackinnon MG (2001) . International Peacekeeping, 8(3), 141-145.
  • Saliu HA, McCoubrey H, Bellamy AJ, Dobson H & Newman E (2000) . International Peacekeeping, 7(2), 182-189.
  • Hansen AS, Richmond OP, Dobson HJ, Castellino J & McDermott A (1999) . International Peacekeeping, 6(2), 195-203.
  • Dobson HJ (1999) . International Peacekeeping, 6(2), 152-171.
  • Dobson H (1999) . Japan Forum, 11(2), 179-190.
  • Hughes CW, Abbott J, Dobson H, Li R, Poku N, Rawnsley GD, Nesadurai HES & Curley M (1999) . The Pacific Review, 12(3), 499-514.
  • Dobson H & Tristen N () Logos in Global Summitry. Alternatives.
  • Dobson HJ () . Journal of Popular Culture, 9(1), 44-44 (68).
  • Dobson HJ () . East Asia: An International Quarterly, 22(2), 56-56 (76).
  • Dobson HJ () Japan and the G8 Evian Summit: Bilateralism, East Asianism and Multilateralization. G8 Governance.
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Book chapters

  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 35-58). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 10-34). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 84-102). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 59-83). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 1-9). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 103-125). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: insights from the Summit (pp. 187-192). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: insights from the Summit Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 126-151). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: insights from the Summit (pp. 186-186). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: Insights from the Summit (pp. 152-185). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson H (2024) , Unpacking the G20: insights from the Summit Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Takayasu K (2023) In Dobson H (Ed.), Special Issue : Understanding prime ministerial leadership in the United Kingdom and Japan in the 21st century (pp. 95-111). SAGE Publications
  • Dobson H (2015) , The SAGE Handbook of Modern Japanese Studies (pp. 453-464). SAGE Publications Ltd
  • Dobson HJ (2015) Japan and Globalization In Babb J (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of modern Japanese studies (pp. 572-587). London: SAGE reference 2015.
  • Dobson HJ (2014) Japan at the Summit: Energy, Climate Change and a ‘Gaggle of Gs’ In Mariotti M, Miyake T & Revelant A (Ed.), Rethinking nature in contemporary Japan (pp. 103-118). Edizioni Ca’ Foscari (Foscari University Press)
  • Dobson H (2014) Japan and the world: From bilateralism to multilateralism, Japan Handbook (pp. 260-270).
  • Dobson HJ (2013) Japan and der G20-Gipfel: Von Kan nach Cannes In Vogt G & Holgrun P (Ed.), Modernisierungsprozesse in Japan (pp. 127-142).
  • Dobson H (2012) Asia shaping the group of 20 or the group of 20 shaping Asia?, Asia Pacific Regionalism and the Global System (pp. 106-121).
  • Dobson H (2011) The G8, the G20, and civil society, Global Financial Crisis Global Impact and Solutions (pp. 245-259).
  • Dobson H (2010) , Decoding Boundaries in Contemporary Japan the Koizumi Administration and Beyond (pp. 14-34).
  • Dobson H (2009) , Japan and Britain at War and Peace (pp. 151-165).
  • Dobson H & Nobuko K (2009) JAPAN AND BRITAIN AT WAR AND PEACE Introduction, JAPAN AND BRITAIN AT WAR AND PEACE (pp. 1-8).
  • Dobson H & Nobuko K (2009) JAPAN AND BRITAIN AT WAR AND PEACE Conclusion, JAPAN AND BRITAIN AT WAR AND PEACE (pp. 178-184).
  • Dobson H (2008) , China, Japan and Regional Leadership in East Asia Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson HJ (2008) Leadership in Global Governance: Japan and China in the G8 and the UN, China, Japan and Regional Leadership in East Asia (pp. 181-202). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Dobson HJ (2007) Global Governance and the G7/8 In Hook G (Ed.), Global Governance and Japan The Institutional Architecture (pp. 23-39). Routledge
  • Dobson HJ & yukako M (2007) Teaching Excellence in Higher Education in Japan: An Evolving Agenda, International Perspectives on Teaching Excellence in Higher Education Improving Knowledge and Practice Routledge
  • Dobson HJ (2007) Japan and the UK at the G8 Summit: Cooperation and Conflict at the Highest Level of Diplomacy, Britain and Japan in the Twentieth Century: One Hundred Years of Trade and Prejudice (pp. 152-165).
  • Dobson H (2007) , Global Governance and Japan the Institutional Architecture (pp. 23-39).
  • Phillips N (2007) , Global Governance and Japan the Institutional Architecture (pp. 92-109).
  • Dobson H (2007) JAPAN AND THE UK AT THE G8 SUMMIT, 1975 TO 2006, Britain and Japan in the Twentieth Century One Hundred Years of Trade and Prejudice (pp. 152-165).
  • Dobson H (2005) , Contested Governance in Japan (pp. 17-35). Routledge
  • Dobson H (2005) , Contested Governance in Japan Sites and Issues (pp. 17-35).
  • Hook GD (2005)
  • Gamble A (2004) Foreword
  • (2003) , Globalization and Democratization in Asia (pp. 142-159). Routledge
  • Dobson H & Hook GD (2003) In Dobson H & Hook GD (Ed.), Japan and Britain in the Contemporary World: Responses to Common Issues (pp. 1-17). Taylor & Francis
  • Dobson H & Hook GD (2003) , Japan and Britain in the Contemporary World Responses to Common Issues (pp. 213-223).
  • Dobson H & Hook GD (2003) In Dobson H & Hook GD (Ed.), Japan and Britain in the Contemporary World: Responses to Common Issues (pp. xv-xvi). Taylor & Francis
  • Dobson HJ (2002) Social Movements, Civil Society and Democracy in Japan, Globalization and Democratization in Asia: The Construction of Identity (pp. 133-148).
  • () In Skelton A (Ed.) Routledge
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Conference proceedings

  • Sands C, Kirton J, Dobson H, Bayne N, O'Neill J, Wouters J & Lesage D (2020) Think 7 USA 2020: Report of the Think 7 Summit. Think 7 USA 2020: Report of the Think 7 Summit. Virtual conference, 14 May 2020 - 14 May 2020.
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Reports

  • Scheler R & Dobson H (2020) Joining forces : reviving multilateralism through multi-stakeholder cooperation
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Digital content

  • Dobson H & Hauken KM (2022) Pembunuhan mantan PM Shinzo Abe: Bagaimana sejarah kekerasan bermotif politik di Jepang?. Retrieved from
  • Dobson H & Hauken KM (2022) Assassinat de Shinzo Abe : une histoire de la violence politique au Japon. Retrieved from
  • Dobson H & Hauken KM (2022) Shinzo Abe’s killing: the history of political violence in Japan. Retrieved from
  • Dobson H & Hauken KM (2022) Asesinato de Shinzo Abe: una historia de la violencia política en Japón. Retrieved from
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Research group

Research Clusters

Associated research groups and collaborators

  •  - Associate Fellow

Research supervision

Professor Dobson welcomes the opportunity to supervise promising Ph.D. students across a broad range of topics related to international relations and Japan.

He has previously [co-]supervised successful Ph.D. theses on topics including Southeast Asian approaches to conflict resolution, Japanese approaches to humanitarianism, Japan’s regional institution-building initiatives, and China’s aid policies.

He is currently [co-]supervising Ph.D. theses on the impact of globalisation on Japan’s security policies, Japan’s territorial disputes in the East Asian region, and Japan’s relations with North Korea.

Teaching interests

Everyone remembers a good teacher. For me, it was my A-level History teacher, Mr Kilkenny. Inspired by him, I try to encourage my students at Sheffield to question everything, look at events from a different angle and be passionate about a subject.

To help me achieve this I have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education at the University of Kent, and a Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at the University of Sheffield.

These courses exposed me to new ways of thinking about teaching and learning and allowed me to create networks that have supported my teaching since.

All my modules make use a wide range of activities based on the principles of enquiry-based learning whereby students take ownership of the learning process, identifying relevant questions and resources, forging and defending their own interpretations - all with the goal of ultimately becoming independent learners.

Teaching activities

Professor Dobson teaches on the following modules

Undergraduate

  • EAS2031 Postwar Japanese Politics

Postgraduate

  • EAS6236 Postwar Japanese Politics
  • EAS683 Global Governance and Japan
Media Expertise

Professor Dobson is available to media organisations to discuss various aspects of Japanese politics, its international relations, and the G7/G20.

He has previously been interviewed by a range of media outlets in the UK and Japan, such as BBC ¾Ã²Ý¸£Àû, The Guardian, China Daily, Canada TV (CTV) and China Global Television Network (CGTN). 

Please contact him either by phone or email to arrange an interview.

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