Yongjin Zhang is currently Chair Professor of International Politics in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at the University of Bristol. Prior to this appointment, he was Chair Professor of East Asian Studies, and Director of Centre for East Asian Studies at the University of Bristol in 2008-2009. Before coming to Bristol, Professor Zhang had had teaching and research appointments at Institute of International Politics in Beijing, Oxford University, the Australian National University and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He has an M.Phil. and a D.Phil. from Oxford University, both in International Relations.

Professor Zhang's main research interest is in International Relations theory with particular reference to China'' international relations and Chinese politics, history and philosophy. His core research informs and has been informed by the 'English School' of International Relations. His publications have appeared in Review of International Studies, European Journal of InternationalRelations, Australian Journal of International Affairs, The China Journal, Journal of Contemporary China, Asian Perspective, and Pacifica Review (now Global Change, Peace and Security), among others.