Esther Klein

Dr. Esther Klein is a Professor in the School of Culture, History & Language at the Australian National University (ANU). Her research focuses on ancient Chinese philosophical and historical texts, emphasizing both philological rigor and broader historical inquiry. She explores questions about how we understand the past and navigate conflicts arising from historical study. Previously, she taught at the University of Illinois-Chicago (2007–2012) and the University of Sydney (2013–2020).

Dr. Klein holds a PhD in East Asian Studies from Princeton University (2010), an MA in East Asian Languages and Literatures from the University of Oregon (2002), and a BA in Literature from Harvard University (1997). Her work bridges sinology and comparative philosophy, with special attention to texts like the Zhuangzi and Shiji.

Her research interests center on textual culture, authorship, and the intersection of philosophy and history in early China. She has published extensively on topics such as Sima Qian’s historiography, the formation of the Zhuangzi anthology, and the evolution of Confucian thought under Mongol rule. Her work also engages with modern educational practices and cultural narratives in China.

Her recent publications include analyses of historical memory, textual contradictions, and pedagogical approaches to classical Chinese literature. She has co-edited the China Story Yearbook and contributed to volumes on Yang Zhu and early Chinese textual traditions. Dr. Klein is actively involved in supervising research students and remains a key figure in advancing interdisciplinary approaches to Chinese studies.