Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States
Tao Jiang is a Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Rutgers University. He serves as Director of the Rutgers Center for Chinese Studies and co-chairs the Neo-Confucian Studies Seminar at Columbia University. His academic work bridges classical Chinese philosophy, Mahāyāna Buddhist thought, and cross-cultural analysis. Education: Ph.D. from Temple University Service: Former chair of the Religion Department (2010-2016, 2020-2023); co-founder of the Rutgers Workshop on Chinese Philosophy Research spans comparative philosophy , Buddhist psychology , and political thought . He explores intersections between Chinese and Western philosophy, focusing on concepts like subliminal mind and virtue ethics. His 15 most recent articles reflect trends in cross-cultural dialogue, particularly between Buddhist/Yogācāra traditions and Western philosophy (2012-2025). Topics range from Zhuangzi's freedom theories to Linji's Chan Buddhism and Nagārjuna's metaphysics. Awards include: Honorable Mention, Joseph Levenson Prize (2023) Active in academic leadership, Jiang serves on editorial boards of Dao , Journal of Buddhist Philosophy , and Neo-Confucian Studies . Contact: tjiang@rutgers.edu
Jimmy Yu is the Sheng Yen Associate Professor of Chinese Buddhism and Religion at Florida State University's Department of Religion (part of the College of Arts and Sciences). He holds a Ph.D. in Asian Religions from Princeton University (2008). His research focuses on Chinese Buddhist history (1100–1800), Chan/Zen studies, and bodily rituals in East Asian religions. He teaches courses on Chinese and Japanese religious traditions, including Buddhism, Daoism, and Shintō. Yu serves as Editor of the Journal of Chinese Buddhist Studies and Series Editor for the Sheng Yen Series in Chinese Buddhist Studies (Columbia University Press). He advises the Chung-Hwa Institute's Buddhist Studies fellowships for graduate students. His publications include Sanctity and Self-Inflicted Violence in Chinese Religions (1500–1700) (Oxford UP) and Reimagining Chan Buddhism (Routledge). He has presented globally at venues like the American Academy of Religion and Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies. Education: Princeton University (Ph.D. 2008), University of Kansas (MA 2002) Editorial Roles: Journal of Chinese Buddhist Studies, Journal of Religion and Violence Key Interests: Chan/Zen lineage formation, religious violence, and embodied religious practices Yu oversees graduate studies in East Asian Buddhist Studies and mentors students through the Dharma Drum tradition. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary Buddhist praxis, emphasizing Chan's doctrinal and ritual innovations.
Dr. Qingjun (Joan) Li is Professor of Asian Studies and Chinese in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences at Belmont University. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Middle Tennessee State University and specializes in Chinese American literature, comparative literature, Asian studies, and Chinese language pedagogy. Prior to joining Belmont, she was an Associate Professor of English at Zhengzhou University in China. Ph.D., English (American Literature), Middle Tennessee State University M.A., English, Belmont University B.A., English, Zhengzhou University, P.R. China Dr. Li’s research centers on the intersections between Chinese and American literary and philosophical traditions. Her work explores how Chinese thought, particularly Daoism and Confucianism, influenced American writers like Thoreau and Ezra Pound. She also investigates themes of cultural identity, gender, and diaspora in Chinese American literature, with a focus on Maxine Hong Kingston. Her scholarship extends to Chinese language pedagogy and the commodification of culture in China’s modern cultural industries. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in comparative philosophy and transnational literary analysis, particularly examining East-West dialogues in thought and expression. She frequently publishes on the reception of Chinese philosophy in American transcendentalism and modernist literature. Virginia M. Chaney Distinguished Professor (2014–2015) Faculty Award for Leadership in Christian Service (2017–2018) Advisor of the Year (2018–2019) Mellon Foundation ASIANetwork Faculty Enhancement Fellowship (2017) Selected for ASIANetwork Speakers Bureau (2015–2018) Dr. Li is a dedicated mentor and advisor who has guided numerous students to receive Chinese Government Scholarships, Fulbright awards, and Critical Language Scholarships. She co-directs Belmont’s study abroad programs in China and has led student research teams there. She also serves as advisor to the Chinese Cultural Association. Her academic leadership includes organizing collaborative teaching initiatives with Beijing Language and Culture University and presenting widely at national and international conferences on Asian studies and American literature. She is actively involved in academic programming, including keynote lectures, faculty workshops, and community outreach on Chinese culture and literature. Her work bridges academia, cultural diplomacy, and public education.
Professor Yuria Mori is a distinguished scholar at Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, specializing in Chinese religious philosophy with particular expertise in Daoism. She holds a Doctor of Literature degree from Waseda University (2020) and has served as Professor since 2004 after progressing through academic ranks from Assistant (1992) to Lecturer (1995) to Associate Professor (2000). Her research focuses on Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, and Daoism , with specific interests in Dragon-gate Lineage (Longmen pai), Quanzhen Daoism (Complete Perfection), the immortals (transcendents), and Chinese modern religious thought. Professor Mori's scholarly work demonstrates consistent engagement with Daoist textual traditions, ritual practices, and historical development across the Ming-Qing transition period. Her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on spirit-writing culture, orthodox lineage construction, and internal alchemy practices within Daoist traditions. The pattern shows increasing specialization in Dragon-gate Lineage studies, particularly examining how figures like Min Yide and Wang Changyue constructed religious authority through textual production and ritual innovation. Her methodological approach combines close textual analysis with historical contextualization. Japan Taoism Society Award (2003.11) Professor Mori actively contributes to multiple research projects, including the ongoing Japan Society for the Promotion of Science grant "Interdisciplinary research on the innovative role of spirit-writing culture in the history of local Daoism in China" (2021-2025). She maintains strong international scholarly connections through memberships in the American Academy of Religion and The Association for Asian Studies. Her academic leadership extends to teaching numerous courses including Introduction to Daoism, Reading Chinese Classics, and various seminars on Asian Philosophy and Chinese Thought at both undergraduate and graduate levels through Waseda University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Graduate School of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Jung Lee serves as Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Undergraduate Program Director for Religious Studies within the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities, where his work bridges religious ethics, comparative ethics, East Asian religions, and philosophical inquiry. His academic foundation includes: B.A. from Amherst College Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Brown University Research centers on cross-cultural ethical frameworks with emphasis on Daoist moral philosophy , comparative religious ethics methodology , and normative sources in early Chinese thought . Current projects analyze rhetorical strategies in early Daoism and ethical resistance in marginalized communities, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary analysis of religion's role in social structures. Publication trends reveal deep engagement with East Asian philosophical traditions and global justice issues, particularly through 2015's study of Dalit women in Nepal and 2014's explorations of Zhuangzi's ethics. This body of work consistently interrogates how religious traditions conceptualize morality across cultural contexts.
Bo Mou is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at San José State University, specializing in Chinese philosophy, comparative studies, and metaphysics. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Rochester (1997). His research explores cross-cultural philosophical dialogue, ancient Chinese thought systems (Yijing, Laozi, Confucius), and contemporary analytic philosophy. Key contributions include comparative analyses between Eastern and Western ethical frameworks and foundational inquiries into truth and language. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, University of Rochester, 1997 Research Interests: Mou’s work focuses on: (1) Comparative philosophy between Chinese and Western traditions, (2) Metaphysical systems in Chinese classics like Yijing, (3) Moral theory comparisons (Dewey/Laozi), (4) Analytic philosophy of language (Tarski/Quine), and (5) Deflationary theories of truth. Publications Trends: His 2000s work emphasizes cross-cultural comparisons (e.g., Confucius’ golden rule analysis, Dewey-Laozi moral contrasts), while earlier writings address formal logic (Tarski’s truth definitions) and meta-philosophical questions. His 2001 Yijing analysis highlights complementary metaphysics, and Dao-De-Jing re-examinations explore language and ultimate concerns. Awards: No specific awards listed in provided materials. Advising & Grants: No student advisees or grant details mentioned in current data. His academic contributions focus on research and publication. Labs/Teams: No specific research groups or laboratories associated with his profile.
Dr. Germaine A. Hoston is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego, specializing in East Asian political philosophy, comparative revolutions, and liberation theology. She holds a PhD from Harvard University and previously taught at Johns Hopkins University, where she was the first woman to earn tenure in Political Science. Her research focuses on the intersection of political thought, modernity, and development in China and Japan, with notable works including Marxism and the Crisis of Development in Prewar Japan (1986) and The State, Identity, and the National Question in China and Japan (1994). She actively mentors students through UCSD's Faculty Mentor Program and integrates her scholarship with advocacy for social justice through non-profits like Lotus Outreach International. Education: PhD in Government (Harvard), MA in Government (Harvard), BA in Politics & East Asian Studies (Princeton, summa cum laude). Research: Explores Marxism, comparative revolutions, and the role of religion in political movements. Current projects include studies on liberation theology and civil society in East Asia. Non-Profit Leadership: Board member of Lotus Outreach International, former roles in Episcopal Church social justice initiatives, and leadership in organizations like the East-West Institute.
Paul R. Goldin is a Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on Warring States China (5th-3rd centuries BCE), integrating intellectual and cultural history with archaeology, art history, literature, philosophy, and religion. He is known for interdisciplinary scholarship emphasizing the complexity of early Chinese thought and its contextualization within broader historical frameworks. Goldin’s work critiques reductive narratives about Chinese philosophy, challenging modern assumptions through rigorous textual analysis. He has contributed significantly to debates on looted artifacts in Chinese studies and the ethical responsibilities of scholars. His publications span edited volumes, monographs, and critical reviews, demonstrating expertise in classical texts such as the Shangshu , Xunzi , and Shiji . His research trends highlight the intersection of language, power, and ideology in early Chinese texts. Recent articles address linguistic analysis of philosophical keywords, the historiography of imperial annals, and comparative philosophical readings (e.g., Epictetus). Goldin’s writings often emphasize textual fidelity and cultural specificity, resisting anachronistic interpretations. Awards and honors are not listed here, but his academic leadership includes mentoring graduate students in the EALC program, as evidenced by departmental updates. He is affiliated with the Penn East Asian Languages and Civilizations Department, contributing to its mission of interdisciplinary training for academia and industry.
Ray Qu is a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Virginia, specializing in medical and cultural anthropology. His work focuses on marginalized groups in rural China, including peasants, migrant workers, and aging populations, blending ethnographic fieldwork with theoretical advancements in the anthropology of hope, healing, and religious practices. His research examines: Medical Anthropology: Health inequities, chronic illness, and disability in rural China. Anthropology of Religion: Folk healing (incense seeing), Daoism, and affective therapeutics. Aging Studies: Experiences of rural elders under the hukou system and zero-COVID policies. Recent publications explore ‘sickening landscapes’ in healthcare access and the cultural politics of religious temples. His work is supported by grants from the Templeton Religion Trust, YuRun Foundation, and Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. Scientific awards include: All-University Graduate Teaching Award (2023) Best Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia (2021) Multiple Conference Travel Awards (2022, 2021) Ray’s projects, including his upcoming book Sweet Apples, Bitter Lives , aim to amplify the voices of rural Chinese peasants and contribute to global discourses on care ethics and structural violence.
Stephen Field is a Professor of Chinese and East Asian Studies at Trinity University, where he founded the Chinese program in 1990. He holds a Ph.D. and B.A. in English Romanticism from the University of Texas at Austin, with a focus on nature poetry that later informed his transition to Chinese studies through Daoist philosophy. His academic work bridges pre-Qin Chinese literature and environmental cosmology, particularly through fengshui studies. Director, EAST Program Faculty Adviser, Chinese Culture Club Affiliated with Comparative Literature and International Studies programs Research highlights: Specialist in early Chinese cosmology and divination texts Author of The Duke of Zhou Changes (2015), a major Zhou Yi translation Founder of FengshuiGate.com for popular essays and translations His teaching includes: Modern Standard Chinese Chinese Civilization The Folk Ecology of Fengshui Being Young in Asia (First-Year Experience course) Active in the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies and Association for Asian Studies, he has directed the EAST Program and advised the Chinese Culture Club while securing Critical Language Scholarships for students in 2021.
Nataša Kostić is an Assistant Professor of Sinology at Singidunum University since December 2024, specializing in Chinese philosophy and cosmology. She holds a doctoral degree from Beijing Pedagogical University (2012) and has contributed extensively to research on the Yi Jing (Book of Change). Doctoral Studies: Beijing Pedagogical University, Chinese Philosophy (2009-2012) Master's Studies: Beijing Pedagogical University, Chinese Contemporary Literature (2005-2008) Basic Studies: Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, Chinese Language and Literature (1996-2001) Her research focuses on the philosophical cosmology of the Yi Jing, the three properties of the cosmos (heaven, earth, and humanity), Taiji theory, and Daoist metaphysics. She has published extensively on these topics in journals like Social Informatics Journal and Matica Srpska for Social Sciences , emphasizing the holistic worldview of ancient Chinese thought. Recent publications include analyses of temporal concepts in the Yi Jing (2024), Taiji symbolism (2014), and celestial cosmology (2009). Her work bridges classical Chinese philosophy with contemporary interdisciplinary studies. Nataša also serves as a permanent court translator for Chinese at the Ministry of Justice since 2024 and maintains a personal website ( www.nana-china.com ) dedicated to Chinese culture and philosophy.
Brook A. Ziporyn serves as Professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, specializing in ancient and medieval Chinese religion and philosophy. His prior academic appointments include faculty positions at the University of Michigan (Department of East Asian Literature and Cultures), Northwestern University (Departments of Religion and Philosophy), Harvard University (Department of East Asian Literature and Civilization), and the National University of Singapore (Department of Philosophy). He earned a BA in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago followed by a PhD from the University of Michigan. Professor Ziporyn's research centers on Chinese philosophical and religious traditions, particularly Tiantai Buddhism and Neo-Taoism. His work explores conceptual tensions between holism and individuality, the nature of li (coherence), and paradoxes of value through close readings of classical texts. This comparative approach bridges Eastern and Western philosophical frameworks, examining how concepts like emptiness, omnipresence, and ambiguity operate across cultural contexts. His publications demonstrate a progressive deepening of engagement with primary Chinese sources, evolving from focused studies on Tiantai Buddhist thought toward broader investigations of coherence in early Chinese philosophy and its Buddhist reinterpretations. The consistent thread across his work is rigorous textual analysis combined with innovative cross-cultural conceptual mapping, particularly regarding the interplay between metaphysical frameworks and ethical implications in Daoist and Buddhist traditions.
Dr. Wei Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Emory University. Her research focuses on Chinese Buddhism, religious transmission, religion and gender, and interactions between Buddhism and Daoism. She is preparing a book manuscript analyzing the indigenization of Tibetan Buddhism in 20th-century China, emphasizing cross-cultural religious dynamics. Education: PhD in Religion, Princeton University, 2017 MA in Religion, The University of Hong Kong, 2009 BA in Religion, Peking University, 2005 Research Interests: Dr. Wu explores religious transmission mechanisms, particularly how Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist interactions shaped modern China's religious landscape. Her work also examines religion's role in gender and ecological contexts. She teaches courses on East Asian Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Chinese indigenous religions. Publications: Her 2024 Columbia University Press book Esoteric Buddhism in China analyzes early 20th-century Buddhist exchanges. Concurrently, she contributed to adversarial robustness research in computer science through graph convolutional networks. Affiliations: Office located at S202 Callaway Memorial Center, Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
Xiaoqiao Xu is a Lecturer in Modern Chinese Literature and Cinema at the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia . Holding a Ph.D. in Comparative Literary & Cultural Studies from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. in Early Modern Studies from University College London, she specializes in gender, sexuality, and religious studies within Chinese literature and cinema. Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Comparative Literary & Cultural Studies M.A., University College London, Early Modern Studies B.A., Sichuan University, English Language and Literature Her research examines women's literary and theatrical productions across imperial and modern China, with a focus on how gender politics, female gazes, and religious engagement (Buddhism, Daoism) shaped societal roles. She also explores intersectionality in cultural narratives, challenging traditional-modern dichotomies. Recent publications address topics such as yellowface performance in Asian American contexts and portrait-reading practices in Ming-Qing literature. Her 2022 article on Kangxi-era calendric astronomy highlights science as political tool. Awards : Emerging Scholar Award (Association for Asian Performance), Teaching Excellence (University of Connecticut) Teaching : Courses in Modern Chinese Literature and Cinema, Asian Religions, and Cultural Foundations
Anning Jing is a Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at Michigan State University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Letters. He holds a Ph.D. in Chinese Art from Princeton University (1994) and has taught at MSU since 1995. His research focuses on Daoist art, popular culture artworks, Shanxi murals, Yuan Buddhist art, cross-cultural artistic connections, and Chinese landscape painting. Education: Ph.D. in Chinese Art, Princeton University, 1994 Research Interests: Daoist temple architecture and iconography Regional mural studies in Shanxi Yuan Dynasty Buddhist art Cultural exchanges in East Asian art Historical landscape painting analysis Publications include seminal works on Daoist monasteries, Yuan Dynasty murals, and Sino-Tibetan Buddhist art. Current projects involve a book on Buddhist art. His work bridges art history with religious studies and cultural anthropology.
