Xun Liu

Xun Liu is an Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University, specializing in the history of Daoism in Late Imperial and Modern China. Affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences, Liu's research explores the interplay between Daoist temples, local society, and state modernization efforts in Nanyang, central China, from the 17th century to the present.

Research Focus: Liu's work bridges Chinese history, religious studies, and urban sociology. Key themes include:

• Daoist temples as cultural and social institutions
• Neidan (inner alchemy) practices in urban settings
• State-religion dynamics during modernization
• Material culture and female piety in Daoism

Recent Publications: His scholarship analyzes Daoism's adaptation to Republican-era Shanghai print culture, Qing military collaborations in Nanyang, and 20th-century spiritual travel narratives. Articles appear in Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, T’oung Pao, and Late Imperial China.

Awards: Recognized with grants from the Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation, ACLS, and CNRS, Liu has held prestigious fellowships at Harvard University and UC Berkeley.