Natasha Kassam

Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program
Areas of expertise

China’s domestic politics; public opinion polling; human rights; Australian foreign policy; Taiwan; Indo-Pacific strategy

Natasha Kassam
Biography
Publications
News and media

Natasha Kassam was Director of the Lowy Institute's Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program from 2019 to 2022, directing the annual Lowy Institute Poll and researching China’s politics, Taiwan, and Australia-China relations.

She was a Fellow of the ANU National Security College’s Futures Council for 2020-21 and a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Melbourne’s Asian Law Centre. Natasha is a regular contributor to Australian and international media outlets including CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC and The New York Times.

Prior to joining the Lowy Institute, Natasha was an Australian diplomat in China and Solomon Islands. She was a part of the drafting team for the Australian government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Sydney and speaks Mandarin.

Opinion piece on the 2020 Lowy Institute Poll in The Australian
Commentary
Opinion piece on the 2020 Lowy Institute Poll in The Australian
Australians feel far more distrustful, pessimistic and less secure than they have in years. And our souring relations with China are central to our problems. Originally published…
Generation why? Younger Australians wary of United States
Generation why? Younger Australians wary of United States
Donald Trump is a big part of this story. But there is also a clear gap in attitudes toward China.
Lowy Institute Poll 2020 - Report
Polling
Lowy Institute Poll 2020 - Report
The 2020 Lowy Institute Poll, conducted as the COVID-19 crisis was unfolding across the globe, reveals unprecedented changes in Australian attitudes to the world around us,…
COVIDcast: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Taiwan’s place in the world
COVIDcast: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Taiwan’s place in the world
The latest episode in a podcast to discuss the implications of coronavirus for Australia, the region and the world.
COVIDcast: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Taiwan’s place in the world
Podcasts
COVIDcast: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Taiwan’s place in the world
In this episode of COVIDcast, Natasha Kassam, Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute, sat down with Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Joseph Wu.
Taiwan’s wildcard
Commentary
Taiwan’s wildcard
Originally published in The La Trobe Asia Brief, a publication from La Trobe Asia based at La Trobe University.
Australia can expect China to lash out more often. We must foster resilience and sangfroid
Commentary
Australia can expect China to lash out more often. We must foster resilience and sangfroid
We should not compromise on our fundamental beliefs but focus on the factors that are within our control. Originally published in The Guardian. 
China and Australia's relationship is souring but not weakening
Commentary
China and Australia's relationship is souring but not weakening
COVID-19 and politics are driving them apart but trade keeps them together. Originally published in Nikkei Asian Review. 
Globalisation's still not a bad thing
Commentary
Globalisation's still not a bad thing
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review.
Top