“The improvements have been on the hard science — figuring out the virus’ genome, building new hospitals at a moment’s notice — more than on the soft science side of managing information and dealing with people,” said Mary Gallagher, University of Michigan professor of political science and director of the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, on the shortage of testing supplies and China’s initial reticence in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

Mary Gallagher's research areas are Chinese politics, comparative politics of transitional and developing states, and law and society.