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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.

• Classical Chinese Literature
• Early Traditional Chinese Fiction
• Chinese Historiography
• +8 more

Paize Keulemans is an Associate Professor of Chinese Literature at Princeton University's Department of East Asian Studies. His research focuses on the interplay between oral and written literary traditions in Chinese literature, particularly exploring acoustic dimensions in 19th-century martial arts fiction and the role of gossip and rumor in 17th-century texts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2004) and a B.A. from Leiden University (Netherlands). His work bridges literary analysis with cultural studies, examining topics like Dutch-Chinese interactions since the 17th century and the adaptation of classical texts like The Three Kingdoms into modern media such as video games. Education: Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature, Leiden University Research Interests: Acoustic imagination in printed novels Rumor dynamics in late-Ming literature Cultural exchanges between the Netherlands and China Modern adaptations of classical Chinese narratives Publications highlight his exploration of Ming-Qing transition narratives through Dutch tragic plays and the sonic dimensions of martial arts fiction. Current projects include analyzing video game adaptations of classical texts and the role of 'idleness' in literary production.

• Chinese Literature
• Oral Literature
• Written Literature
• +7 more

Paola Zamperini is an Associate Professor of Chinese Literature at Northwestern University, holding a Ph.D. in Chinese Literature and Women and Gender Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She joined Northwestern in 2013 as founding chair of the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, where she has focused on department-building, curriculum development, and mentoring students in pre-modern Chinese literature and gender/sexuality studies. Her research and pedagogy bridge Chinese literary studies with feminist and queer theory, evidenced by courses like 'Sexual Subjects: Introduction to Sexuality Studies' and 'Traditions of Feminist Thought.' She actively collaborates with the Sexuality Project at Northwestern (SPAN) as a Curricular Fellow (2020-2023) through the project 'Global Pornographies: A Transnational Approach.' Key research areas include representations of prostitution, female suicide, fashion theory, pornography, and spiritual resonance in Chinese literature. She is currently completing her manuscript Sinopornologies. Writing Sex in Late Imperial Fiction and developing works on gambling and gender, and fashion and desire in early modern literature. Key Awards: SPAN Curricular Fellow (2020-2023) Luce/ACLS China Studies Advisory Group (2020-present) Pre-modern China Book Review Editor, Journal of Asian Studies (2016-present) Her academic service includes roles in ACLS/Luce Fellowship programs since 2015 and leadership in graduate education initiatives at Northwestern.

• Chinese Literature
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Feminist and Queer Theory
• +5 more

Yiqun Zhou serves as Associate Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures and, by courtesy, of Classics at Stanford University. Holding dual appointments since 2013, Zhou is actively engaged in teaching and research within Stanford's Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the Department of Classics, with program affiliations at the Center for East Asian Studies. Research interests span Chinese and comparative women's history, early Chinese literature, Ming-Qing fiction, China-Greece comparative studies, and the reception of classical antiquity in modern China. Zhou's scholarly approach emphasizes cross-cultural analysis between ancient Chinese and Greek civilizations, particularly examining gender relations, literary traditions, and the modern Chinese reception of classical antiquity. Zhou's publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output with recent works appearing in 2024, focusing on imperial performance, gender dynamics, and intellectual history. The research trajectory reveals a sustained engagement with comparative methodologies, particularly examining intersections between Chinese and Greco-Roman civilizations across historical periods. Zhou actively mentors graduate students through multiple roles including Doctoral Dissertation Advisor for Xiaoyi Huang and Bingxiao Liu, Master's Program Advisor for Helen Bovi and Yuan Wei, and Doctoral Program advisor for ZiFan Yang. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Beginning Classical Chinese, Heroes and Heroism (co-listed with Classics), Proseminar in East Asian Humanities, and The Use of Classical Antiquity in Modern China. Academic background includes a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago (2004). Zhou maintains an active research agenda with publications spanning journal articles and book chapters, primarily focusing on comparative approaches to Chinese literature and history with Greco-Roman antiquity.

• Chinese and comparative women's history
• Early Chinese literature
• Ming-Qing fiction
• +2 more

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka is an Assistant Professor of Japanese and Asian Studies at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). He specializes in premodern Japanese literature and theater, with a focus on early modern popular fiction and kabuki/bunraku theater. His research also explores contemporary fan culture and its impact on performing and visual arts. He currently serves as Coordinator for the Asian Studies Program at CSUSB. Education: Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles: Department of Asian Languages and Cultures M.A., University of Southern California: Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures B.A., University of California Los Angeles: Department of Political Science Research Interests: Dr. Kanesaka’s work bridges premodern and contemporary studies, examining themes like marginalized communities in global media and fan-driven cultural production. His interdisciplinary approach integrates literary analysis with performance studies and digital humanities. Awards: Nominated by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for Choreography (2024). Advising & Grants: While no specific grants are noted, his roles as program coordinator and educator highlight his commitment to academic leadership. He advises students in Japanese literature and popular culture studies. Labs/Teams: Beyond academia, he is a trailblazer in traditional Japanese arts as the first non-Japanese kabuki actor (Nakamura Gankyō), a professional Japanese classical dancer (Bandō Hirohichirō), and a Kimekomi doll maker (Kyūkyōka Kanesaka).

• Premodern Japanese Literature
• Kabuki/Bunraku Theater
• Early Modern Popular Fiction
• +3 more

Paul Michael Johnson is an Associate Research Professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, and specializes in the cultural history of early modern Spain through interdisciplinary frameworks including emotion studies, sensory history, and performance theory. His research examines representations of the body, emotions, and cultural encounters in Spanish literary texts, particularly the works of Cervantes. Current projects investigate how soundscapes and voice mediate imperial violence in Mediterranean contexts, the transcultural adaptations of Spanish classics, and theoretical developments in Iberian studies. Publications demonstrate expertise in Cervantes scholarship while engaging critically with contemporary debates on race, gender, and translation. Recent works explore the aural dimensions of imperial power, back-translation practices in global contexts, and the religious dimensions of Cervantes' late romance. Dr. Johnson serves on the editorial board of LSU Press's New Hispanisms series and the advisory board of the Ibero-American Society for the History of Emotions. He has previously served on the executive council of the Cervantes Society of America.

• Early Modern Spanish Literature
• History of Emotions
• Sensory Studies
• +2 more

Mengxiao Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from Yale University, an M.A. in Classical Chinese Literature and Philology from Beijing Normal University, and a B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature from the same institution. She completed postdoctoral training as a Sheng Yen Postdoctoral Fellow in Chinese Buddhism at the University of California, Berkeley (2019-2021). B.A., Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing Normal University M.A., Classical Chinese Literature and Philology, Beijing Normal University Ph.D., East Asian Languages and Literatures, Yale University Postdoctoral Training: Sheng Yen Postdoctoral Fellow in Chinese Buddhism, University of California, Berkeley (2019-2021) Wang specializes in traditional Chinese literature and culture with a primary focus on the interplay between literary production and religious practice, particularly examining how Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian traditions intersect with theatrical performance and literary creation in late imperial China. Her research reveals how religious practices shaped theatrical forms and how literary works served as vehicles for religious expression, with particular attention to gender dynamics within religious contexts. Her current book project, Buddhism and Theatricality in Early Modern China, investigates how monastics and the laity reshaped theater as a form of religious endeavor during the 16th and 17th centuries. Analysis of Wang's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory exploring the intersections of Chinese literature, religious practice, and theatrical performance across multiple dynastic periods. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in Buddhist influences on Chinese drama, with recurring investigations of specific texts like the Buddhist play Guiyuanjing. She has established a distinctive research niche examining gender representations within religious theatrical contexts and the complex relationships between monastic communities and literary production. Her scholarship spans multiple disciplines including literary history, religious studies, theater studies, and gender studies, with particular strength in textual analysis of primary sources from late imperial China. Wang has taught courses including Introduction to Chinese Culture, Art and Literature; Cultural Topics in East Asian Literature; Classical Chinese I; Chinese Fiction; and specialized seminars on China. Her teaching reflects her research interests in Chinese literature, religion, and cultural history.

• Chinese literature
• Buddhism
• Late Imperial China
• +4 more

Jack Chen is a Professor of Chinese Literature and Department Chair at the University of Virginia's Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures and Cultures, with additional affiliation to the Institute of the Humanities and Global Cultures. His office is located in Wilson Hall, where he holds weekly office hours. Previously, he taught at UCLA and Wellesley College. Education BA in Literature, Yale University MA in Comparative Literature, University of Michigan PhD in Comparative Literature, Harvard University Research Focus Chen specializes in classical and medieval Chinese literature (100-900 CE), particularly the Tang Dynasty. His interdisciplinary work bridges traditional literary analysis with computational methods, exploring: The history of information management in imperial China Gossip and anecdote as cultural artifacts Digital humanities approaches to East Asian texts Ghost poetry and supernatural narratives Current projects include developing computational tools for classical Chinese corpora and studying early medieval anecdotal collections. Publication Trends Recent articles (2022-2024) demonstrate three key themes: 1) Integration of digital humanities with classical Chinese textual analysis, 2) Re-examination of literary history through spatial/temporal frameworks, and 3) Genre studies of Tang Dynasty narratives like Chuanqi tales. Computational methods feature prominently across publications. Professional Activities No awards, grants, or supervised students are mentioned in available sources. His departmental leadership includes curriculum development for Chinese Language & Literature and East Asian Studies programs.

• Chinese Literature
• Classical Chinese Literature
• Medieval Chinese Literature
• +5 more

Eileen J. Cheng is a Professor of Chinese and Coordinator of the Chinese Section at Pomona College since 2003. She teaches courses in Chinese language, modern Chinese literature, and gender studies. Research Interests: Her scholarship focuses on Lu Xun studies, gender and nationalism in modern China, translation theory, and world literature traditions. She explores how Lu Xun's artistic vision intersects with political narratives and cultural trauma. Publications: Recent works include analyses of Lu Xun's philosophical writings, annotated bibliographies, and translations of his essays. Her research reveals connections between Chinese modernism and Western critical theory, particularly Adorno's reflections on mechanical reproduction. Education: Ph.D., East Asian Languages and Cultures (Modern Chinese Literatures), University of California, Los Angeles M.A., East Asian Languages and Cultures (Modern Chinese Literatures), University of California, Los Angeles B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (summa cum laude)

• Chinese Literature
• Lu Xun Studies
• Gender Studies
• +3 more

William Fleming is an Assistant Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He specializes in early modern Japanese literature, with a focus on 18th- and 19th-century fiction, popular theater, book history, and cultural exchange between Japan, China, and the West. Fleming holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and has held visiting research positions at Kyoto University, Waseda University, and the National Institute of Japanese Literature in Tokyo. Before joining UCSB, he taught at Yale University’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and the Theater Studies Program. His research explores the circulation of Chinese fiction in early modern Japan and its adaptation in Japanese literary works. He has authored a monograph and numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from Kabuki theater to Japan’s cultural interactions with overseas influences. Fleming also contributes to pedagogical innovation, advocating for problem-based learning in humanities education. Education: Ph.D., Harvard University Undergraduate studies, Harvard University Research Interests: Fleming’s work centers on the interplay between Japanese literature and broader cultural contexts. Key themes include literary adaptation, transnational cultural flows, and the role of performance and print media in shaping cultural narratives. His monograph Strange Tales from Edo: Rewriting Chinese Fiction in Early Modern Japan (2023) examines the reception and transformation of Chinese stories in Japanese literary traditions. He also investigates how popular theater forms like Kabuki engaged with ideas of national identity and foreign cultures. Professional Contributions: Fleming has published commentaries on rare books in the Gerhard Pulverer Collection and contributed reviews to journals like Japan Forum and Asian Theatre Journal . His teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning strategies, as detailed in his 2017 article on problem sets in humanities education.

• Early Modern Japanese Literature
• 18th- and 19th-Century Fiction
• Popular Theater
• +4 more

Alexander Beecroft is the Jessie Chapman Alcorn Memorial Professor of Foreign Languages at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. His academic career spans roles including Secretary-Treasurer of the American Comparative Literature Association (2011–2019) and Director of the Program in Comparative Literature (2010–2016). Education: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Harvard University (2003) B.A. (Honours) in Classics, University of Alberta, Canada (1995) Research Interests: Beecroft specializes in cross-cultural literary studies, focusing on ancient Greek and Roman literature, pre-Tang Chinese literature, and world literature. His work interrogates global literary systems, comparative methodologies, and the intersection of oral traditions with textual canons. Key themes include the role of premodern texts in world literature, the ecology of literary systems, and the dynamics of authorship across cultures. Awards and Honors: Charles A. Ryskamp Research Fellowship (ACLS, 2011–12) Morse Junior Faculty Fellowship (Yale University, 2006–07) University of South Carolina Educational Foundation Research Prize (2015) Teaching and Leadership: Beecroft teaches courses on classical mythology, literary theory, and world literature. He has organized international conferences and panels, including keynotes on global literary history and comparative studies. His administrative roles include committee leadership on research grants and academic policy at the university level. Publications: Beecroft’s monographs include *An Ecology of World Literature* (2015) and *Authorship and Cultural Identity in Early Greece and China* (2010). He contributes to journals such as *Orbis Litterarum*, *Comparative Literature Studies*, and *Journal of World Literature*, with a focus on cross-cultural comparisons and global literary frameworks.

• World Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Ancient Greek and Roman Literature
• +3 more

Carla Nappi is the Andrew W. Mellon Chair in the Department of History at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. She specializes in the early modern histories of science, health, and translation with a focus on China and Central Eurasia. Her work bridges historical scholarship and creative writing, producing innovative texts like Uninvited: Talking Back to Plato (2020) and Illegible Cities (2021). She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (2006) and has held prestigious roles including Canada Research Chair in Historical Pataphysics and fellowships at the National Humanities Center and Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. Her research emphasizes experimental approaches to historiography, blending fiction, poetry, and nonfiction to explore themes like translation's role in shaping knowledge systems. She actively advises graduate students in early modern Chinese studies, historical methodology, and interdisciplinary humanities projects. Nappi has received numerous awards, including the Zhu Kezhen Junior Award and NSF CAREER Grant, and contributes to academic discourse through podcasting (e.g., New Books in East Asian Studies ) and collaborative workshops like the Translating Vitalities Lab series.

• History of China
• History of Central Eurasia
• Translation History
• +4 more

Angelica Duran is a Professor of English, Comparative Literature, and Religious Studies at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Critical Disability Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2000), an M.A. (1988) and B.A. (1987) from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research spans 16th–21st century comparative literature, focusing on English and Spanish traditions, religious studies, disability studies, and translation theory. She has published extensively on Milton, including monographs and edited volumes exploring his global reception, visual adaptations, and pedagogical applications. Her recent publications examine Milton’s transnational influence, the role of prosthetic sign systems in literary interpretation, and intersections of disability, movement, and theological discourse. She bridges early modern and contemporary analyses, addressing issues of translation, cultural adaptation, and digital humanities. Duran has received two Irene Samuel Memorial Awards for her edited volumes Milton in Translation (2017) and Milton Across Borders and Media (2023). She serves on editorial boards and academic committees, including the Renaissance Society of America's Conference Chair (2022–27). As a comparative literature scholar, she connects European, American, and global traditions, emphasizing religious, diasporic, and pedagogical dimensions. Her work explores how texts traverse ideological, physical, and disciplinary boundaries.

• Comparative Literature
• Disability Studies
• Religious Studies
• +3 more

Sookja Cho is an Associate Professor of Korean and Comparative Literature at Arizona State University (ASU), affiliated with the School of International Letters and Cultures and the Center for Asian Research. Her academic career includes roles such as Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Chinese and Comparative Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and master’s and doctoral degrees in Chinese Language and Literature from Seoul National University. Professor Cho’s research focuses on East Asian comparative literature, particularly Sino-Korean literature (hanmunhak), women and gender studies, premodern Korean literature, and diaspora. Her notable publications include Transforming Gender and Emotion: The Butterfly Lovers Story in China and Korea (2018) and The Tale of Cho Ung (2018). Current projects include organizing workshops on Sino-Korean literary exchange and diaspora studies. She has received prestigious awards and fellowships from institutions such as the Harvard-Yenching Institute, the Korea Foundation, and the Academy of Korean Studies. Her teaching spans courses like Women of Korea and PreModern Korea in a Global Context , emphasizing comparative and world literature frameworks. Grants & Fellowships: James P. Geiss & Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation, Korea Institute at Harvard University. Recent Invited Talks: Stanford University (2023), Harvard University (2021), Seoul National University (2019). Current Projects: International workshop on Sinocentric Involution and Oscillation in Choson Korea . Her research bridges premodern and contemporary themes, exploring cultural exchange, gender dynamics, and transnational narratives in East Asian literature.

• East Asian Comparative Literature
• Women and Gender Studies
• Premodern Korean Literature
• +3 more

Thomas P. Kelly is an Assistant Professor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, where he holds a position in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He earned his PhD from the University of Chicago (2017) and BA from the University of Oxford (2009). Previously, he served as a Junior Fellow in the Society of Fellows at the University of Michigan. As President of the Society for Ming Studies, he actively contributes to scholarly networks in early modern Chinese studies. His research focuses on Chinese literature, material culture, and pre-modern media studies, particularly exploring the interplay between writing and material objects in the Ming and Qing periods. His monograph The Inscription of Things: Writing and Materiality in Early Modern China (2023) examines how writers engaged with materiality through inscriptions on objects. Current projects include The Unfinished Book , analyzing manuscript culture during the Ming-Qing transition, and a study of performance theory via Pan Zhiheng’s essays. His work spans late imperial drama, fiction, poetry, and prose. Key research themes include the materiality of literature, rituals in performance, and the poetics of incompletion. His publications investigate topics such as mourning rituals in early Qing theater, the cultural significance of seal carvers’ biographies, and the role of objects in Ming-Qing literary imagination. He frequently critiques the relationship between textual production and social dynamics, emphasizing how material forms shape literary meaning. His articles demonstrate a focus on interdisciplinary approaches, blending literary analysis with art history, anthropology, and cultural studies. Notable works include explorations of Hong Sheng’s Palace of Lasting Life , Su Shi’s ink-making practices, and Fang Yongbin’s calligraphic materiality. His 2024 article ' The Crying Statue in Early Qing Drama ' delves into contested staging practices of theatrical mourning rituals. Though no formal grants or labs are listed, his academic leadership (e.g., Society for Ming Studies presidency) underscores his role in fostering collaborative research. His work bridges textual analysis with broader cultural histories, positioning material objects as central to understanding Chinese literary and intellectual traditions.

• Chinese Literature
• History of Writing
• Material Culture
• +4 more