Sophie Volpp is a Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on Chinese literature from the 16th to 19th centuries, with particular emphasis on theatricality, material culture, and literary objects. She is the author of *Worldly Stage: Theatricality in Seventeenth-Century China* (2011) and *The Substance of Fiction: Literary Objects in China, 1550-1775* (2022). Her current projects include a book on the National Peiping Library’s preservation efforts during the Sino-Japanese War and an analysis of referents in *The Story of the Stone*. Her scholarly work bridges literary analysis and cultural history, examining themes such as gender, power, and spectacle in late-imperial China. She has translated works by pre-modern women poets and dramatists, contributing to gender-centric scholarship in East Asian studies. Her publications span journal articles and edited volumes, addressing topics like Qing-era theatrical design, material circulation in classical novels, and cross-cultural influences in literary production. Her research has been published in venues such as *Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies* and *Journal of Asian Studies*.
Martin Kern is the Joanna and Greg Zeluck ’84 P13 P18 Professor in Asian Studies at Princeton University. He specializes in ancient Chinese literature, philology, and textual studies, with a focus on poetry, ritual, and cultural memory. Kern co-edits T'oung Pao and directs the "International Center for the Study of Ancient Text Cultures" at Renmin University, Beijing. Education: Ph.D. in Sinology, Cologne University M.A. in Sinology, Cologne University His research spans early Chinese rhetoric, authorship debates, manuscript analysis, and the intersection of writing/orality. He has led Princeton's "Comparative Antiquity" initiative (2018–2022) and co-directs the Princeton-Venice Summer School in Classical Chinese. Recent publications include studies on the Classic of Poetry , Chuci , and Zuozhuan , emphasizing newly discovered manuscripts and their impact on understanding ancient Chinese textuality. His work often bridges philological rigor with comparative theoretical frameworks. Scientific Awards: Member of the American Philosophical Society President of the American Oriental Society (2023–2024) Kern's editorial roles include co-editing the monograph series Studies in the History of Chinese Texts and the Handbook of Oriental Studies: Section 4 China . He has held leadership positions in major academic initiatives on ancient China.
Edward L. Shaughnessy serves as the Lorraine J. and Herrlee G. Creel Distinguished Service Professor in Early Chinese Studies and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. A renowned scholar of ancient China, he specializes in archaeologically recovered texts from the Zhou dynasty period (c. 1045-249 BCE), particularly bronze inscriptions, bamboo-slip manuscripts, and the classical texts Zhou Yi (I Ching), Shang Shu, and Shi Jing. His research interests focus on the intersection of archaeological discoveries and literary traditions, with particular expertise in bronze inscriptions and the Zhou Yi. Shaughnessy has pioneered efforts to bridge Western and Chinese scholarly traditions, publishing extensively in both English and Chinese. He has written seven volumes of technical scholarship in Chinese and is currently leading an international team translating Tsinghua University's fourth-century BCE bamboo-slip manuscripts. His recent scholarly output shows strong trends in paleographic studies, with numerous publications analyzing newly excavated manuscripts. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on textual transmission, historical context, and the relationship between archaeological evidence and received literary traditions. Notable patterns include systematic analysis of bamboo-slip manuscripts, comparative studies of textual variants, and interdisciplinary approaches combining philology, archaeology, and historical analysis. Shaughnessy has received recognition through his appointment as a Distinguished Service Professor, one of the highest academic honors at the University of Chicago. His scholarly contributions have significantly advanced the field of early Chinese studies through both original research and editorial work. As an educator, Shaughnessy teaches seminars on oracle-bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, bamboo-strip inscriptions, and courses on the Yi jing, Shi jing, and Shang shu. He serves as Director of Graduate Studies for the department and has supervised numerous graduate students. His current and upcoming courses include 'The Ji Zhong Discovery,' 'The Development of Early China Studies in the West,' 'Western Zhou Bronze Inscriptions,' 'The Shang shu,' and 'The Shi jing.' Shaughnessy maintains an active research program with current projects including the translation of Tsinghua University's bamboo manuscripts and serving as co-editor of the journal Bamboo and Silk. His scholarly network extends internationally, as evidenced by his 2013 lecture series at the Collège de France titled 'Unearthing the Chinese Classics,' where he presented on the Zhou Yi, Shang Shu, Shi Jing, and Laozi.
Ksana Blank is a Senior Lecturer at Princeton University’s Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. She coordinates the Russian Language Program and directs the Princeton-in-Petersburg Program, fostering academic exchange and interdisciplinary research. With a PhD in Russian Literature (Columbia University, 1997) and a BA in French Philology (St. Petersburg State University, 1979), her academic career spans over two decades at Princeton, preceded by teaching roles at Hunter College and Middlebury College Russian Summer School. Education: PhD, Russian Literature, Columbia University (1997) BA, French Philology, St. Petersburg State University (1979) Her research centers on Russian literature, emphasizing stylistic analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music, visual arts, folklore, and religious philosophy. Notable works include studies on Dostoevsky’s dialectics, Gogol’s The Nose , and the interplay between Russian modernism and Western art movements. She has authored multiple books and articles, many translated into Russian, and has published in academic journals across Russia, Europe, and China. Recent publications explore Dostoevsky’s paradoxes, Gogol’s linguistic innovation, and the intersection of Russian literature with music (Shostakovich), art (Malevich), and philosophy. Her 2023 book Парадоксы классики expands traditional interpretations of classic works through interdisciplinary lenses, while her 2021 The Nose guide deciphers Gogol’s wordplay and its narrative function. Earlier works address Tolstoy’s spiritual crisis and Bakhtinian dialogism in Russian literary theory. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to pedagogy include advanced Russian language courses and graduate-level Tolstoy studies. She currently works on Leo Tolstoy’s The Prisoner of the Caucasus and teaches courses on Russian literature, spirituality, and translation.
Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase is an Associate Professor of Chinese and Japanese at Vassar College since 2003. Her research focuses on Japanese women’s literature, girls’ magazine culture, and manga, with a particular interest in integrating popular media into language education. She teaches courses such as 'Japanese Popular Culture and Literature' and 'The Gothic and the Supernatural in Japanese Literature.' Dr. Dollase holds a PhD in comparative literature (Japanese and American) from Purdue University (2003), an MA from Illinois State University, and a BA/MA from Baika Women’s College. She authored *Age of Shojo: The Emergence, Evolution and Power of Japanese Girls’ Magazine Fiction* (2019) and has contributed to numerous edited volumes and refereed journals. Her work spans topics like child abuse depictions in manga, sex education in historical fiction, and queer reinterpretations of classic narratives. She co-edited *Women’s Voices in Manga* (2024) and *Manga!: Visual Pop-Culture in ARTS Education* (2020). Her research bridges literary analysis with cultural studies, emphasizing the intersection of gender, media, and education. Dr. Dollase has been featured in media discussions about Japanese literary icons like Nobuko Yoshiya. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Asian Studies, Media Studies, and Women’s, Feminist, and Queer Studies at Vassar.
Heather A. Haveman is a Professor of Sociology and Business at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a B.A. in History (University of Toronto, 1982), an M.B.A. (University of Toronto, 1985), and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations (University of California, Berkeley, 1990). She has served at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (1990-1994), Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management (1994-1999), and Columbia University's Graduate School of Business (1998-2007) before joining UC Berkeley in 2006. Her research explores organizational evolution, industry dynamics, and career mobility. Key projects include studies of American tech firms, Chinese listed firms, and historical analyses of U.S. collegiate women's sports and 19th-century American magazines. She employs mixed methods, including NLP for literature reviews and corporate culture mapping. Recent publications span topics like organizational change and economic inequality (2025) computational literature reviews (2024) gender equality in corporate practices (2023) institutional logics in organizational behavior (2023) coevolution of capitalism and enterprise (2022) She has received prestigious awards including the 2016 ASA Best Book Award for Magazines and the Making of America 2017 Barrington Moore Book Award Her teaching portfolio includes graduate courses in organizational sociology and undergraduate classes on entrepreneurship and evidence evaluation. She actively mentors PhD students and provides detailed research design guidance via her personal website.
Hsiu-Chuang Deppman is a Professor of Chinese and Cinema and Media at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds positions in both the East Asian Studies and Cinema and Media departments. Currently on leave for the 2024-25 academic year, her research focuses on film adaptation, Chinese cinema history, and comparative literature. She has published extensively, including books like Close-ups and Long Shots in Modern Chinese Cinemas (2021) and Adapted for the Screen (2010). Deppman earned her PhD (1999) and MA (1993) in Chinese Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BA (1990) from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. Her research interests span: Adaptation Studies History of Chinese Cinema Documentary and Media Studies Contemporary Chinese Fiction Comparative Literature Awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching Award, she has also received grants and fellowships including the Fulbright Research Grant, Taiwan National Science Council Grant, and Freeman Foundation Grant for Asian Studies, among others. In addition to her research, Deppman teaches courses such as Contemporary East Asian Cinema and Intermediate Chinese I . Her work has been supported by the GLCA/Mellon New Directions Initiative and the Chiu Scholarly Exchange Program for Taiwan Studies. Her current project involves writing a book on Jia Zhangke’s cinema of reflection, reflecting her ongoing engagement with modern Chinese cinematic narratives.
Stephen F. Teiser is the D.T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies and Professor of Religion at Princeton University. He holds the Old Dominion Research Professor title in the Humanities Council (2022-2023). His work focuses on Buddhist rituals, Chinese religious history, and the intersection of Indian and Chinese religious traditions. Teiser delivered lectures at Fudan University, shaping his research into broader scholarly discourse. His book Ritual and the Study of Buddhism (2022) explores Buddhist rituals in Chinese contexts, emphasizing cross-cultural and methodological insights. His research bridges medieval Chinese religious practices with modern academic frameworks, addressing topics like funerary rituals, lay communities, and textual interpretation. His academic contributions span Buddhist historiography, ritual studies, and East Asian religious history. Notable works include analyses of the Ghost Festival, Dunhuang liturgies, and comparative religious texts. Teiser’s interdisciplinary approach highlights the adaptation of Buddhism in Chinese culture and its global scholarly relevance. Awards: Old Dominion Research Professor (2022-2023) Teiser’s research also engages with collaborative international projects, such as co-editing volumes on divination and East Asian manuscripts. His work emphasizes the importance of language and cultural context in interpreting religious practices, making his scholarship foundational for understanding Buddhism’s evolution in China.
Xiaofei Tian is Professor of Chinese Literature in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She joined Harvard in 2000 after teaching positions at Colgate University and Cornell University. Her research centers on Chinese literature and cultural history from the Middle Period (1st–13th century CE), with expertise in manuscript culture, courtly literary production, and Buddhism's influence on poetic traditions. She also investigates late imperial/modern Chinese literature, travel writing, and Cultural Revolution trauma narratives. Professor Tian's scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition: Patrick D. Hanan Book Prize for Translation (2016) for The World of a Tiny Insect Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2006 for Tao Yuanming and Manuscript Culture Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2018 for The Oxford Handbook of Classical Chinese Literature She mentors graduate students while teaching courses including Art and Violence in the Cultural Revolution , and currently serves as Editor of Early Medieval China and founding co-editor of The Nanyang Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture .
Zhiqiang Yu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature at Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, City University of New York. With over two decades of teaching experience, he has established himself as a dedicated educator specializing in Chinese language, cinema, and civilization courses. Education: Ph.D. in Chinese, University of Washington M.A. in Asian Civilization, University of Iowa B.A. in Chinese Literature, Fudan University (Shanghai) Professor Yu's research focuses on innovative approaches to Chinese language pedagogy, with particular interest in applying economic principles and artificial intelligence to language teaching. His work bridges traditional linguistic scholarship with modern educational technology, examining how efficiency, resource allocation, and technological advancements can enhance language learning outcomes. His research spans Chinese linguistics, dialectology, cinema studies, and cultural elements in language teaching. His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory toward optimizing language instruction through systematic analysis. Recent work increasingly focuses on AI applications in language education and the economic framework of pedagogical efficiency. His scholarship demonstrates a progression from traditional linguistic analysis toward innovative teaching methodologies that incorporate modern technological and theoretical frameworks. Scientific Awards: Award of Excellent Academic Research Reviewer from Journal of International Chinese Education (2016) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Washington (1993) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Iowa (1989) Graduate Research Fellowship from University of Iowa (1988) Student Excellency Award from Fudan University (1984) Professor Yu has served extensively on departmental committees including as Department Assessment Coordinator and Secretary of the Asian and Asian-American Studies Committee. He has organized numerous academic events featuring prominent Chinese cultural figures and has contributed to developing Chinese language curriculum resources including online placement tests. His professional service extends to editorial work for CUNY publications and Chinese language training for the New York Police Academy. He maintains active involvement with multiple professional organizations including the American Name Society, American Oriental Society, American Society of Geolinguistics, Association for Asian Studies, and Chinese Language Teachers Association, frequently presenting at international conferences on Chinese language pedagogy.
Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures, specializing in archaeology and art history with a focus on cultural heritage and transnational trade routes. She holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and has served in prestigious roles including Board Chair of The New York Historical Society and Co-chair of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Objects Conservation Committee. Her academic contributions span UNESCO missions, international film collaborations, and co-founding institutions like the Tang Center for Early China and Silk Road Studies. Education: BA (Bryn Mawr College, Classical Languages & English Literature), MA (University of Pennsylvania, East Asian & Middle Eastern Studies), PhD (University of Pennsylvania, 2004). Research interests include early Chinese cartography, Silk Road cultural exchanges, and the intersection of art history with imperial geography. Her work bridges archaeology, art, and policy, addressing illicit cultural trafficking and heritage preservation. She has produced award-winning documentaries and serves on global arts and museum boards. Her publications explore topics such as ancient mapping techniques and Silk Road heritage. Awards recognize her academic and leadership roles in cultural preservation. She co-founded the Tang Centers and Hsu-Tang Library, advocating for interdisciplinary scholarship and global cultural dialogue.
William H. Nienhauser, Jr. is the Halls-Bascom Professor of Classical Chinese Literature in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, College of Letters and Science. He is a leading authority on early Chinese literature, historiography, and poetry, with a particular focus on Sima Qian’s Shiji and the poetry of Du Fu. He has held visiting and research positions in China, Japan, Germany, and Taiwan, and remains academically active, including a 2018 appointment as Visiting Professor at Nankai University. His research interests include early traditional Chinese fiction, historiography, chuanqi and zhiguai tales, and the application of modern Western critical theories to Chinese literary texts. He is deeply engaged in the translation and annotation of classical works, especially the Shiji , often in collaboration with graduate students. His scholarship bridges philology, literary theory, and historical contextualization, contributing significantly to the global understanding of pre-modern Chinese literature. Nienhauser’s publications reveal a sustained focus on textual analysis, narrative structure, and the interplay between history and literature. His work spans from early Shijing poetry to Tang dynasty fiction, with a strong emphasis on Sima Qian’s historiographical methods and legacy. He has also contributed foundational reference works and critical editions, shaping the field of Chinese literary studies. His scientific awards reflect the international recognition of his scholarship: Woodrow Wilson Fellowship ACLS Fellowship NEH Fellowship Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship Japan Foundation Fellowship German Research Foundation Fellowship Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship Humboldt Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (2003) Nienhauser has advised numerous graduate students in collaborative research projects, particularly on the Shiji and Du Fu. He has secured major fellowships and grants from prestigious organizations including the NEH, ACLS, Fulbright-Hayes, and the Humboldt Foundation, enabling extended research and translation work. His editorial roles, especially as a founding editor of Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews (CLEAR), have been instrumental in advancing the field. While no formal lab or research center is mentioned, Nienhauser leads a major international collaborative translation project on the Shiji , involving scholars and students across institutions. His seminars and graduate courses foster a close-knit research community focused on classical Chinese texts.
Sheldon Lu is a Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis. He holds affiliations with East Asian Studies, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, Film and Media Studies, Critical Theory, and Environmental Humanities. His academic career includes roles as Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature, Director of the Graduate Program in Comparative Literature, and Founding Co-Director of the Film Studies Program. Lu has taught at institutions including the University of Pittsburgh and Beijing Normal University, and served as a Fulbright scholar in Ukraine (2004-2005). Education: B.A. (1984) and Ph.D. (1990) in Comparative Literature from Indiana University and University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively. His research bridges literary studies, visual culture, film, and China studies. Key publications include Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Visual Culture (2021, BAFTSS Honorable Mention) and Chinese Modernity and Global Biopolitics (2007). He edited the Critical Interventions book series (2009-2019). Lu's work has appeared in journals like New Literary History , Journal of World Literature , and Cinema Journal . Awards include the 2005 Choice Award for Chinese-Language Film: Historiography, Poetics, Politics . He has organized special journal issues on topics ranging from ecocinema to transnational Chinese cinemas. Teaching focuses on Asian literature, film studies, critical theory, and urban culture. Notable courses include World Cinema and East-West Literary Relations .
Anne Behnke Kinney is a Professor of Chinese at the University of Virginia, specializing in early Chinese literature, thought, and social history. Her work focuses on the history of childhood and women in premodern China, combining traditional texts with archaeological materials. Early Chinese literature History of childhood in China History of women in premodern China Her research explores cultural connotations of childhood and gender in Han Dynasty historical texts, linking them to cosmology, medicine, law, and statecraft. She has produced critical translations of foundational works like the Lienu Zhuan and Qianfulun , highlighting their societal and philosophical implications. Recent publications include Essays of a Recluse (2025) and Exemplary Women of Early China (2014). Her scholarship traces themes in Han-era narratives, emphasizing vulnerabilities of high-status children and parental authority.
Xiaomei Chen is a Professor of Chinese Literature at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Comparative Literature, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, and CATS (Cinematic and Technological Studies) programs. Her research focuses on modern Chinese literature, theater, cultural studies, and performance studies, with a particular emphasis on revolutionary propaganda, postsocialist cultural reconfigurations, and diasporic narratives. Education: She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University, an M.A. in English Literature from Brigham Young University, and a B.A. in English (equivalent) from Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages. Research Interests : Modern Chinese literature and drama Revolutionary theater and propaganda Women’s literature and feminist critique Cross-cultural performance and comparative literature Postsocialist cultural studies Publications include seminal works such as Staging Chinese Revolution: Theater, Film and the Afterlives of Propaganda (2016), Occidentalism: A Theory of Counter-discourse in Post-Mao China (1995), and edited volumes on modern Chinese drama and cultural studies. Her articles critically examine themes like revolutionary narratives, diasporic identities, and the intersection of theater with political discourse. She has taught courses on modern Chinese literature, film, and drama in English translation, emphasizing cultural analysis and transnational perspectives. Her work bridges historical and contemporary studies, offering insights into China’s evolving cultural landscape.
