Justin Jacobs

Justin Jacobs is a Professor in the Department of History at American University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in Chinese history, Xinjiang, and Silk Road archaeology. He holds a PhD from the University of California, San Diego, and MA/BA degrees from the University of Washington.

• PhD, University of California, San Diego
• MA, University of Washington
• BA, University of Washington

His research centers on cultural heritage looting, archaeological expeditions, and East Asian history. Jacobs examines how museums acquired artifacts through colonial-era expeditions, with particular focus on China's lost treasures. His work bridges ancient Silk Road trade routes and modern heritage preservation debates.

As a public scholar, Jacobs produces educational content including the podcast Beyond Huaxia: A College History of China and Japan and two Great Courses lecture series on UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His media presence includes commentary on historical narratives in popular culture, notably the Indiana Jones franchise.

Professor Jacobs currently teaches HIST-341 Anatomy of the Fantastic for Spring 2025, alongside courses on Japanese empire history, Pacific exploration voyages, and world heritage conservation. His pedagogy emphasizes primary source analysis of archaeological records and museum provenance documentation.