Daniel Herszberg is reading for the DPhil in Socio-Legal Studies at the Faculty of Law under the supervision of Dr Florian Grisel. His research explores the relationship between the law and political culture in Hong Kong following the 2020 National Security Law. Daniel holds a Modern Law Review scholarship for his doctoral research.
Daniel obtained his Master of Philosophy in Heritage Studies from the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded both the first-place ranking and prize for most distinguished performance. Daniel also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (Dean’s List) from City University of Hong Kong, in addition to a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Chinese Studies, First Class Honours) from Monash University. Daniel has also studied at Tsinghua University and the Shanghai International Studies University.
Daniel has worked previously at Skadden, Arps, a leading American corporate law firm, and is admitted to practice law in Hong Kong and New York.
Beyond his research, Daniel regularly engages in public speaking events and media requests relating to foreign policy, with a particular focus on China's global footprint, as well as his travels to every country in the world. He is frequently quoted in leading international outlets, including, among others: the BBC, South China Morning Post, Arab News, USA Today and the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, Daniel is often consulted by national and regional governments on questions relating to cultural policy, heritage and soft power.
DPhil topic
Daniel’s research examines how grassroots political life in Hong Kong has been reconfigured since the 2020 National Security Law. His DPhil traces how long-standing repertoires of political participation ‒ historically shaped by the rule-of-law and liberal ideals ‒ are being reinterpreted amid new legal and political constraints. More broadly, the project questions whether liberal values endure within political dissent during transitions toward illiberalism, and what Hong Kong’s experience reveals for the Greater China region and beyond.
