About
Han Li is Professor and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Rhodes College, serving since 2008 while concurrently holding the position of Section Head for Chinese. Her academic work centers on East Asian Languages and Literatures with specialized focus on Chinese cultural and media studies.
Education:
- Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of California, Irvine
- B.A. in Chinese Literature, Nanjing University
Research Profile: Dr. Li's scholarship bridges material cultural history of late imperial China with contemporary Chinese cinema and media studies. She critically examines rural representations in social media, gender dynamics in film, and the political economy of Chinese soft power. Her work consistently connects historical contexts with modern digital landscapes, revealing how cultural narratives shape national identity and heritage preservation in transnational frameworks.
Publication Trends: Her recent articles demonstrate a clear trajectory from historical analysis (17th-century fiction) toward contemporary media phenomena, with increasing emphasis on rural China's digital transformation. Key thematic clusters include cinematic representations of national trauma, the commodification of revolutionary culture, and the geopolitical dimensions of cultural heritage in US-China relations.
Academic Engagement: Beyond her departmental leadership, Dr. Li actively contributes to Gender and Sexuality Studies, Media Studies, and Asian and Asian American Studies programs. Her public scholarship includes interviews with major international media outlets and commentary for Sixth Tone on Chinese soft power and media trends.
