Elizabeth Ingleson is a historian whose research illuminates the intersection of capitalism, diplomacy, and global trade, with a particular focus on US-China relations. Her first book, Made in China (Harvard University Press, 2024), traces how American corporate ambitions and Chinese state pragmatism forged a trade partnership that reshaped both nations and the global economy. Ingleson is currently completing a follow-up volume under contract with Bloomsbury Academic, China and the United States since 1949, which explores the broader trajectory of bilateral relations in the post-war era.
An Assistant Professor at the London School of Economics, Elizabeth Ingleson teaches US foreign relations and the history of US-China relations while directing the LSE-NUS double degree MA in Asian and International History. She co-organises the LSE-Tufts Seminar in Contemporary International History and the North American History Seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, and contributes to the field through roles on the editorial board of Cold War History, the Conference Committee of SHAFR, and as Membership Secretary for HOTCUS.
Her scholarship draws on extensive archival research and field experience, with fellowships at Yale University, the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, and Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History. Born in Sydney, Ingleson has lived and worked across the United States, China, and Europe, bringing a global perspective to her work. She is currently based in London where she is accompanied by her Texan rescue dog, Ellie.
Elizabeth Ingleson’s work speaks directly to contemporary debates on trade, labour, and geopolitics. She has a knack for revealing the human and institutional stories behind large-scale economic shifts, from the boardrooms of American companies to the corridors of power in Beijing and Washington. Ingleson’s talks explore how historical decisions from Nixon-era policy to corporate strategy have shaped today’s world, making her a compelling voice for audiences seeking insight into the past, present, and future of US-China relations.
