Puma Shen is a lawyer, criminologist, and politician from Taiwan. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he entered the Legislative Yuan on February 1, 2024, representing the nationwide and overseas constituency. Before entering parliament, he worked in academic research, human-rights advocacy, and civil-defense education. (ly.gov.tw)
Education and academic career
Shen studied law at National Taiwan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2004 and a master’s degree in criminal law in 2008. He also earned a Master of Laws at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. In 2017, he completed a doctorate in criminology, law and society at the University of California, Irvine. His dissertation, Local Ideologies and Punishment for White-Collar Crime: A Comparison Between the U.S. and China, examined the relationship between ideology and punishment for economic offenses in the United States and China. (escholarship.org)
He subsequently served as an associate professor at National Taipei University’s Graduate School of Criminology. His professional experience also includes legal practice and membership of the executive committee of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. (ly.gov.tw)
Information operations and civil-defense work
Shen has served as chairperson of Doublethink Lab, an organization researching information operations and foreign influence. On March 23, 2023, he testified before the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing on China’s global influence and interference. His testimony addressed Chinese Communist Party influence operations and Taiwan’s responses, presenting his analysis of the organizations and methods involved. (uscc.gov)
He also helped establish Kuma Academy, a civilian organization providing civil-defense education. In September 2023, Shen and Doublethink Lab researcher Wu Min-hsuan visited Kyiv to study Ukrainian experiences with disinformation and civilian resilience during Russia’s invasion. Their organizations’ activities connected research on information manipulation with public education about preparedness. (axios.com)
Political career
In the eleventh Legislative Yuan, Shen has served on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, as well as the Procedure Committee and Constitutional Amendment Committee. His parliamentary appointment followed a career centered on law, criminology, and civil-society organizations. (ly.gov.tw)
In May 2026, the DPP announced Shen as its candidate for mayor of Taipei in the 2026 local elections. His candidacy extended his political activity from national legislative and security matters to municipal government in Taipei. (taipeitimes.com)
References
- Legislative Yuan - Puma Shenly.gov.tw
- Local Ideologies and Punishment for White-Collar Crime: A Comparison Between the U.S. and Chinaescholarship.org
- Puma Shen Testimonyuscc.gov
- DPP picks Puma Shen for Taipei mayoral racetaipeitimes.com