Leading China Scholar & U.S.-China Relations Expert; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Author of "China: Fragile Superpower"

Live Event: $20,000 - $30,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Susan Shirk Biography

Susan Shirk is a China scholar with expertise in Chinese politics, foreign policy, and U.S.-China relations. She served as deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, where she contributed to shaping American policy toward China during a period of transformation. Shirk is a professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and the founding chair of the 21st Century China Center, a research hub focused on contemporary China. Her books, including "China: Fragile Superpower" and "The Political Logic of Economic Reform in China," are widely cited for their analysis of China’s domestic politics and global ambitions.

Shirk remains an active voice in public discourse on U.S.-China relations, frequently appearing as an expert commentator in major media outlets and at international conferences. Her commentary addresses the challenges of managing strategic competition and avoiding conflict, drawing on her government experience and ongoing research. Shirk engages audiences ranging from policymakers to business leaders on the complexities of China’s rise and its implications for global stability.

Throughout her career, Shirk has been recognized for her contributions to China studies and her efforts to foster mutual understanding between the United States and China. Her scholarship and public service continue to inform debates on navigating the U.S.-China relationship. By bridging academia and policy, Shirk demonstrates the importance of informed leadership in an era of geopolitical complexity.

BOOK Susan Shirk

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/02/2026.

Susan Shirk Videos

Interview on WTO and Diplomacy | Susan Shirk

Interview on WTO and Diplomacy | Susan Shirk

In this episode of Peking Hotel, China scholar Susan Shirk discusses how she joined the Clinton administration, negotiated the WTO deal, and lost...

Podcast on U.S.-China Relations | Susan Shirk

Podcast on U.S.-China Relations | Susan Shirk

China is the United States’ most complex relationship. Defined by both cooperation and competition, tensions have risen sharply in recent years. As...

Book Talk and Panel on Overreach | Susan Shirk

Book Talk and Panel on Overreach | Susan Shirk

October 24, 2022 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Event time is displayed in your time zone. For three decades after Mao’s death in 1976, China’s leaders...

  • How do I book Susan Shirk to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Susan Shirk for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Susan Shirk, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Susan Shirk or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Susan Shirk

    Speaking fees for Susan Shirk, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Susan Shirk are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Susan Shirk, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Susan Shirk speak about?

    Susan Shirk is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Disruptive Thinking, Geopolitics, Influential Women, Political Science, Professors, Security & Defense, Thought Leadership, World Affairs
  • Where does Susan Shirk travel from?

    Susan Shirk generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Susan Shirk’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Susan Shirk for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Susan Shirk for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Susan Shirk or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Susan Shirk is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Susan Shirk for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Susan Shirk generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Nadav Samin, Daniel Treisman, Fen Hampson, Suzanne Kianpour and Antony Blinken. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Susan Shirk for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP