Jane Caple

Jane Caple is a Research Fellow in Japanese Studies with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhism and religious practices in contemporary China. Her academic work bridges religious studies, anthropology, and economic sociology, focusing particularly on the moral dimensions of religious practice and institutional development.

Her research interests center on Tibetan Buddhist monasticism, moral economy, religious fundraising, and the negotiation of boundaries within religious communities. Caple examines how religious institutions adapt to economic transitions while maintaining moral frameworks, with particular attention to Tibetan Buddhist communities in Northeast Tibet and their relationship with the Chinese state.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of religion, economy, and morality. Her work demonstrates how religious communities navigate economic pressures while maintaining moral integrity, with particular attention to Buddhist monastic communities in China. The publications show increasing attention to comparative perspectives, particularly examining parallels between Tibetan Buddhism and Irish Catholicism.

Caple completed her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leeds with a dissertation titled 'Seeing Beyond the State: The Negotiation of Moral Boundaries in the Revival and Development of Tibetan Buddhist Monasticism in Contemporary China' in 2011. Her research contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to cultural preservation and understanding.