John Seaman is a research fellow at the Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI) since October 2009, focusing on policy-oriented research related to geopolitics and political economy in East Asia, particularly in energy and natural resources and China's foreign and economic policies. Previously, John held positions as an international research fellow and visiting research fellow at the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS), where research concentrated on regional energy issues and Japan's policies regarding rare earth elements. Early career experience includes roles as a communications assistant at the FAO Liaison Office in Paris, an assistant language teacher in Kawasaki, Japan, and a program assistant at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels. John holds a Master's degree in International Affairs from Sciences Po and a Bachelor's degree in International Studies with a focus on Economics from Seattle University, alongside further academic experiences in Beijing and Grenoble.