I'm Chi Fang (方淇), born and raised in Keelung—the doorstep of Taiwan. Known for its frequent rain, Keelung is often called "Rain Harbor" (雨港). It’s home to one of Taiwan’s major commercial ports and several key naval bases—perhaps an early influence on the kind of research I pursue today.

Keelung is also famous for its traditional food. While most visitors flock to the well-known Miao-Kou Night Market, locals know there are many hidden gems around the city.

After graduating from junior high school, I spent most of my time in Taipei. I’ve always been struck by how differently kids in these two cities see the world. Though it only takes about 30 minutes to travel between them, the communities and educational resources they offer can feel worlds apart. Growing up between these two places deeply shaped my belief in the power of community and education to transform lives.

When I'm not working, I enjoy photography and watching anime. I consider myself an amateur photographer—I never use the auto mode on my camera. Street photography and architectural photography are my favorites, and I always enjoy traveling and capturing moments from people's daily lives. Check out my Instagram account below to see more of my photos. 

As for anime, I'm a big fan of Gundam and Japanese anime from the 1980s. What fascinates me is how these shows weave socioeconomic issues and political commentary into their storytelling. Gundam, in particular, is a standout example—its creators deeply explore themes of self-determination while offering critiques of militarism, nationalism, and the military-industrial complex. My other recommendations include Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell, and Psycho Pass. From this list, it might not be surprising that I'm also a fan of Cyberpunk 2077 and the Armored Core series.

If you are also an international security researcher, I strongly recommend The Silent Service. The comic describes a what-if situation for Japan to acquire a nuclear umbrella in addition to the US. The international bargaining, domestic competition, and military technical details in this comic are simply breathtaking.

Applying to Ph.D. 

關於申請博班

I was fortunate to receive substantial support when applying to Ph.D. programs, and I’m always happy to pay it forward. If you're considering a Ph.D. and would like someone to talk to or get feedback on your application materials, feel free to reach out. 

Applying to Ph.D. programs is a collective effort—every bit of advice and encouragement can make a difference. I applied over two cycles, submitting 18 applications each time, and was rejected by more than three-quarters of the programs. Without the generous support of others, I wouldn’t be where I am today. There's definitely some randomness in the process, but even a little guidance can make it feel more manageable.

So, if you ever need a hand, don’t hesitate to get in touch. While I rarely encourage people to pursue a Ph.D., I’ll always be here to help those who choose to. 

在申請博班的路上我受到相當多人的幫助，我希望延續這股善意，幫助任何需要幫助的人，尤其是正在考慮申請博士班的各位，倘若你需要聊聊，或是申請文件上需要有人幫忙看看，能力若許可，我當然願意幫忙。

申請博班往往需要集眾人之力，而這條路也相當崎嶇、甚至痛苦。想當然耳，博班錄取與否一定有些機率的成份，而在加入UCSD之前，我申請了兩年、被拒絕了快三十多次、花了相當多的錢（十萬左右）、經歷更多低潮，做為一個典型的只會唸書、沒有任何長才、學術經歷幾近於零的學生，我能走到這裡，不僅僅是幸運、更受惠於大家的幫助和鼓勵，任何幫助都是重要的。

但坦白地說，大多數的人不應該也不用念博，儘管我自詡為勸退大隊第一線，我還是在這，如果需要聊聊，敬請來信。如果需要我看過任何東西，請先來信詢問我是否答應且有閒幫助，而非唐突地將所有文件寄來，加入博士班以前就必須先視自己為博士生，而禮節－對他人時間的尊重－是其中相當重要的一部份。

歡迎點進下方的Medium連結，稍微了解一下申請博班的過程。