Yvon Wang is an Associate Professor at the Department of History , University of Toronto (St. George Campus), specializing in East Asian history with a focus on gender, sexuality, and everyday life. He coordinates the Chinese History Grad Group and directs the Faculty & Postdoc Writing Workshop . His research spans imperial to modern China, including material culture, suicide studies, and Cold War socio-political dynamics. PhD and MA from Stanford University AB from Princeton University Current projects include SSHRC-funded studies on suicide in Chinese history and global responses to the Sinosphere during the Great Leap Forward . His publications examine topics like pornography in modern China, masculinities in early People's Republic media, and legal constructions of sexuality in Beijing. Recent articles include: Gray Markets in the Great Leap (2022) exploring economic deviance in 1950s Shandong Everyday Lives in China's Cold War Military-Industrial Complex (2022) analyzing worker experiences in Shanghai Reinventing Licentiousness (2021) tracing pornography's historical trajectory Scientific honors include SSHRC-funded research projects . He maintains affiliations with the Department of East Asian Studies and teaches courses covering Chinese history from prehistory to the 21st century.
Li Chen is Associate Professor of History and Global Asia Studies in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies (UTSC) at the University of Toronto, with cross-appointments to the Graduate Department of History and the Faculty of Law. He served as Chair of the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies (2016–2019) and as President of the International Society for Chinese Law and History (2014–2017). His scholarship focuses on late-imperial and modern Chinese legal history, Sino-Western relations, and comparative legal cultures. Education J.D., University of Illinois, magna cum laude Ph.D., Chinese History, Columbia University Research Interests Chen’s work interrogates the intersection of law, empire, and culture in China from the 15th to the 20th centuries. He explores how legal knowledge was produced and circulated among private specialists in the Qing juridical field, how international law shaped Sino-Western encounters, and how colonial discourses constructed images of Chinese law and sovereignty. His current SSHRC-funded monograph, Invisible Power and Technocratic Governance , offers the first comprehensive study of Confucian-literati-turned-legal-advisors who quietly administered Qing local justice. Publications & Impact Chen’s 2016 monograph Chinese Law in Imperial Eyes received the Joseph Levenson Book Prize (pre-1900 China) and honorable mention for the Peter Gonville Stein Book Award. His articles in Law & History Review , Journal of the History of International Law , and Late Imperial China have been translated into Chinese and Korean, influencing scholarship across East Asia and North America. Awards & Honors Joseph Levenson Book Prize, Association for Asian Studies (2018) Peter Gonville Stein Book Award – Honorable Mention, American Society for Legal History (2017) Law and Society Association Article Prize – Honorable Mention (2011) Grants & Projects He is principal investigator on a multi-year SSHRC Insight Grant supporting archival research in China, Taiwan, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France for his forthcoming book on Qing legal specialists and their role in shaping imperial governance and legal culture.
Darren Byler is an Assistant Professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University's School for International Studies. His research focuses on surveillance capitalism, stateless populations, and infrastructural colonialism in China, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Washington, an M.A. in East Asian Studies from Columbia University, and a B.A. in History & Visual Journalism from Kent State University. Byler's work examines how Chinese state and technological systems implement 'terror capitalism' through mass surveillance, internment camps, and labor systems targeting Uyghur populations. His monograph Terror Capitalism (2022) received major anthropological awards. Current projects include studying Chinese digital infrastructure's global expansion and Malaysia's 'safe city' systems. He co-leads the Xinjiang Documentation Project, amplifying Uyghur voices through testimonies and archival work, and publishes in public outlets like The Guardian and Noema Magazine . Teaching focuses include surveillance capitalism, Chinese international politics, and global development. His research has informed policy papers for institutions like the Wilson Center and Australian Parliament, addressing atrocity prevention and tech governance. Byler's transdisciplinary approach bridges academic ethnography with public advocacy against state violence.
André Laliberté is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa's School of Political Studies , focusing on the intersection of religion and politics in East Asian societies. His work spans comparative politics, Chinese and Taiwanese politics, social policy, and political anthropology. Ph.D. (1999) and M.A. (1992) from the University of British Columbia , B.A. (1991) from Université du Québec à Montréal . His research explores Buddhist philanthropy , secularism , and welfare regimes , with fieldwork in Shanghai, Beijing, Taiwan, and Hong Kong . Recent publications analyze religion-state dynamics in China's pandemic response, filial piety's legal revival , and geopolitical challenges in Buddhist internationalism . He has supervised students across these themes and collaborated with institutions like the Groupe Sociétés, Religions et Laïcités (Paris) and Center on Religion and Chinese Society (Purdue University) .
Shayne Clarke is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Religious Studies, McMaster University. His work focuses on Indian Buddhist monastic law codes (Vinaya) preserved in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, and Chinese, with additional interests in humor in religious texts, manuscript studies, and East Asian religions. Primary research: Indian Buddhist monasticism, Vinaya textual analysis Key languages: Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Pali Recent projects: Survey of Tibetan Dunhuang manuscripts, edition of Vinayakārikā texts Research interests include family dynamics in monastic Buddhism, gender and ordination practices, and legal narratives in Vinaya texts. His publications examine topics like: Pregnant nuns and monastic motherhood Humor in Indian Buddhist legal codes Comparative analysis of Pārājika penance Monastic expulsion vs. local community exclusion Teaching includes graduate courses on Indian Buddhist texts (RELIGST 715, 714) and undergraduate courses like What is Buddhism? (SCAR 2K03) and Sex and the City in Buddhism (RELIGST 2BN3).
David Wurfel (1929–2012) was a renowned political scientist specializing in Philippine and Southeast Asian politics. He served as Professor of Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Windsor (1972–1993), later becoming Professor Emeritus. His academic career spanned multiple institutions, including International Christian University (Tokyo), University of Missouri, and visiting roles at the University of Singapore, University of Michigan, and others. He held research fellowships from Ford Foundation, Cornell University, and SSHRC grants. His work focused on agrarian reform, democratization, and foreign policy dynamics in Southeast Asia. Education : B.A. Political Science (San Diego State College, 1950) M.A. Political Science (University of California, Berkeley, 1953) Ph.D. Government and Asian Studies (Cornell University, 1960) Professional Roles : Professor Emeritus at University of Windsor Visiting Professorships at institutions across Asia and North America Senior Research Associate at York Centre for Asian Research His research interests centered on Philippine politics, agrarian policy, and democratization processes. Notable works include Filipino Politics: Development and Decay (1988) and studies on East Timor’s state formation. He engaged in volunteer work on peace, homelessness, and ethical investment in the Middle East. Awards include fellowships from Ford Foundation and Cornell University. His articles analyzed postcolonial political systems, foreign policy strategies, and the socio-economic impacts of agrarian reforms. Grants supported his research on Japan-Philippines relations and Vietnamese renovation policies.
Jia Xue is an Associate Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, with a joint appointment in the Faculty of Information. She joined U of T in 2018 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted in 2025. Her research focuses on computational approaches to social justice issues, including intimate partner violence, rape myth culture, and AI ethics. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from Tsinghua University, and postdoctoral training at Harvard University. Her research lab, the Artificial Intelligence for Justice (AIJ) Lab, develops AI tools to study social ills like image-based sexual abuse and school bullying. Key projects include AI-powered chatbots for sexual violence victims and analyzing biases in algorithmic systems. Funded by grants from Connaught, SSHRC, and CIHR, her work bridges social work, computer science, and policy analysis. Jia has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Journal of Interpersonal Violence and Child Abuse & Neglect . Awards include the Ontario Early Researcher Award (2025) and Deborah K. Padgett Early Career Achievement Award (2025). She leads initiatives at the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, focusing on tech’s societal impacts. Teaching emphasizes ethical big data use in social justice contexts. Recent work includes pandemic-related social media analysis and developing interventions for marginalized populations. Her interdisciplinary approach combines machine learning, policy analysis, and qualitative research to address systemic inequities.
Andre Laliberte is a Professor at the University of Ottawa , affiliated with the School of Political Studies . His research focuses on religion and politics in East Asia , particularly state-Buddhist interactions and secular governance in societies with Chinese cultural heritage. His work examines how Chinese and East Asian states negotiate religious legitimacy through welfare regimes, policy frameworks, and historical institutionalism. Recent publications analyze religious responses to public health crises in Taiwan, secularism measurement , and Buddhist geopolitical dynamics . He has edited volumes on multiple secularities , Buddhist revival post-Mao , and methodological approaches to Chinese religions . Key trends in his 20+ publications include interdisciplinary analysis of state-religious symbiosis , filial piety in law , and authoritarian regime resilience . His research bridges political science , religious studies , and comparative social policy .
Dr. Peter A. Newman is a Full Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and holds affiliations with the Joint Centre for Bioethics. He has held significant roles including the Canada Research Chair in Health and Social Justice (2007–2018) and RBC Chair in Applied Social Work Research (2006–2008). His research focuses on LGBTIQ inclusion, HIV prevention, vaccine access, and global health disparities. Dr. Newman has secured over $11 million in research funding and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, with over 190 publications and 15,000 citations. Education: PhD in Social Work & Social Psychology from the University of Michigan (1998), MSW from Hunter College (1994), Postdoctoral training at UCLA (1999–2001). He leads major initiatives like the MFARR-Asia partnership ($SSHRC-funded project) and co-founded the VOICES-Thailand Foundation. His work emphasizes community-based research with marginalized populations in Asia, Africa, and North America. Research Interests: Global health equity, structural determinants of health, LGBTIQ rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, and vaccine hesitancy among marginalized groups. He has pioneered studies on resilience among LGBTQ+ youth, digital storytelling for health advocacy, and pandemic preparedness for sexual minorities. Grants & Leadership: Current grants include SSHRC, CIHR, and CFI funding. He is Editor-in-Chief of Sexuality and Gender in Social Services and serves on editorial boards of PLOS Global Public Health and Culture, Health & Sexuality . Awards: Early Researcher Award (2007–2011), CSWE SOGIE Scholarship (2012), Inaugural Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research. Shortlisted for the 2024 SSHRC Impact Award for work on LGBTQ+ inclusion and SDGs. Labs & Partnerships: Directs the MFARR-Asia partnership with 26 community organizations across Asia. Leads the VOICES initiative addressing HIV and vaccine hesitancy. Collaborates on projects like the #SafeHandsSafeHearts pandemic response.
Simon Kow is a Professor of Humanities and Director of the Early Modern Studies Program at the University of King’s College. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Calgary, and MA and PhD in Political Science (specializing in political theory) from the University of Toronto (1996 and 2001 respectively). His research focuses on early modern political thought, western perceptions of East Asia, and the cultural and political implications of early modern piracy and maritime activity. Education: BA (Political Science, Calgary), MA (Political Theory, Toronto), PhD (Political Theory, Toronto) Key research interests include cross-cultural exchanges in Enlightenment political thought, particularly regarding China, and the interplay between political theology and cultural narratives. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary theoretical frameworks, examining figures like Bayle, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Hobbes. Recent publications explore ethical nominalism in Enlightenment discourse on China (2021), intertextuality in literary-political analysis (2019), and comparative studies of political theology across European and Asian contexts. His book China in Early Enlightenment Political Thought (2017) remains a landmark study in the field. Teaching focuses on early modern political theology, cultural dialogues between Asia and the West, and the historical significance of piracy. Courses include 'Ideas of the Sea and Seafaring' (2025/26) and 'Asia and the West: Centuries of Dialogue' (2023/24).
David Howes is a Professor of Anthropology at Concordia University and an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law at McGill University, Montreal. His work focuses on the cultural life of the senses, sensory design, and the intersection of law and sensory regulation. He leads projects like 'Explorations in Sensory Design' and collaborates with artists to create multisensory artworks. His publications include Ways of Sensing and the forthcoming Sensory Studies Manifesto . He is also the Managing Editor of The Senses and Society journal. His research spans sensory ethnography, material culture, and interdisciplinary sensory studies. Education: Not explicitly stated in the provided text. Affiliations: Concordia University (Anthropology), McGill University (Law), The Senses and Society journal. Research interests include the sensory dimensions of cultural practices, the role of senses in legal frameworks, and the application of sensory design in contemporary art. His work bridges anthropology, sociology, and art to explore how sensory experiences shape human interaction with environments and institutions. Publications reflect a focus on sensory studies across disciplines, including law, art, archaeology, and social theory. Collaborations with new media artists like Christopher Salter highlight his commitment to interdisciplinary innovation. No specific grants or awards are listed, though his editorial role underscores his influence in the field. Labs/Teams: Involved with sensory design projects and artistic collaborations but no specific lab names mentioned.
Christina Laffin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. Her research focuses on medieval Japanese women's literature, education, and cultural practices. Affiliation : Faculty of Arts, Department of Asian Studies Academic Rank : Associate Professor Research Interests : Dr. Laffin specializes in medieval travel diaries , women's education before 1600 , and poetic practices in waka culture . Her work engages with gender theory , autobiographical writing , and noh theatre , using comparative frameworks to analyze medieval literature across cultural boundaries. Publication Trends : Her scholarship combines analysis of classical Japanese texts like The Diary of the Sixteenth Night with comparative studies of European medieval literature. She contributes to ecocriticism in Japanese studies and examines textual transmission in female-authored works, including translations and critical editions of premodern sources. Academic Contributions : Dr. Laffin has organized international workshops on waka culture and Komonjo manuscripts , co-edited volumes on noh theatre , and served as managing editor for Gender and Japanese History . She has presented at conferences in Japan, Europe, and North America on topics ranging from female courtly advice to poetic capitals and journeys .
Eun G. Park is an Associate Professor at McGill University's School of Information Studies. She holds a PhD in Information Studies from UCLA, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, an MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, and a BA in English Literature from Pusan National University. Her research focuses on cloud computing trust, enterprise content management (ECM), ontology modeling, and organizational trust dynamics. She has advised four graduate students and contributes to interdisciplinary projects in digital humanities and cultural heritage preservation. Her research explores the intersection of technology and trust in organizational and governmental contexts, with notable work on open government data analytics and privacy-preserving cloud solutions. She has collaborated on data rescue initiatives for historical climate records and developed ontology models for cultural heritage collections. Park teaches courses in ECM systems, digital preservation, and electronic records management. Her work bridges technical and policy domains, addressing challenges in legal compliance for sensitive data protection and ICT-driven trust enhancement. She participates in international conferences on digital preservation (InterPARES Trust) and contributes to research labs including the Accessible Computing Technology Research Group and Data Mining & Security Lab. Notable collaborations include the DRAW project (historical climate data digitization) and SafePath (privacy-preserving transportation data publishing). Her research has been applied to policy evaluation in Ghana's e-government initiatives and economic impact analyses of digital repositories.
Dora M.Y. Tam is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, with a distinguished career spanning multiple research areas and strategic university initiatives. She is currently on leave from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, but remains actively engaged in research and teaching. Her office is located in MacKimmie Tower MT 404, and she can be reached at dtam@ucalgary.ca or by phone at +1-403-210-8812. Dr. Tam's educational background includes a B.S.W. from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1991), an M.S.W. from the University of Manitoba (2000), and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Calgary (2004). She has taught courses such as SOWK645 Issues in Social Work Research, SOWK 602 Research & Philosophy in Advanced Social Work, and SOWK 625 Practices with Individuals, Families and Groups. Dr. Tam's research focuses on Intimate Partner Violence, Youth Mental Health, Use of Digital Technology in Social Work Practice, and Challenges among Racial Minority Communities . She has been actively involved in several university strategic initiatives including Brain and Mental Health (2015-2021), Child Health and Wellness (2020-2025), Engineering Solutions for Health (2015-2021), Human Dynamics in a Changing World (2015-2021), and One Health (2020-2025). Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing social issues through interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Her publications span diverse topics including youth justice, mental health, disability studies, and immigrant experiences. The research consistently demonstrates a focus on cultural competence, social equity, and evidence-based practice in social work. Dr. Tam's work particularly emphasizes the experiences of Chinese communities and other racial minority groups in Canada. Dr. Tam has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to social work education and research: Faculty of Social Work Research Impact Award (2024) Teaching Award for Educational Leadership (2020) Faculty of Social Work Educational Leadership Teaching Excellence Award (2019) Publication Award (2018) Nomination for Graduate Students' Association Teaching Excellence (2018) Volunteer Service Award - Five Year Award (2015) Her research projects include "Promising Practices for Children and Youth: A Model of Canada-China Collaboration" and "An educational technology solution for upstream mental health in school-aged children." These projects reflect her commitment to international collaboration and innovative approaches to mental health services. Dr. Tam's work bridges academic research and practical applications, with a particular emphasis on improving services for vulnerable populations through culturally responsive approaches.
Renée Worringer is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of Guelph. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2001), she previously served as a Junior Lecturer at the University of Queensland (2003-2007), Woodrow Wilson Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota (2002-2003), and held visiting roles at Princeton, Lake Forest College, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Education: Ph.D. (2001) and M.A. (1992) from the University of Chicago; B.A. (1986) from St. Olaf College. Her research interests span 19th-20th century Ottoman Empire, nationalism in the Arab and Turkish world, Pan-Asianism, Orientalism, and human-animal relationships in historical contexts. She specializes in Islamic history and Middle Eastern studies with a focus on non-Western modernity. Her publications analyze Ottoman-Egyptian-Japanese interactions, Russo-Japanese War impacts on Turkish nationalism, and wolf symbolism in identity formation. Articles frequently explore intra-Asian intellectual exchange, colonial comparisons, and cross-civilizational modernization frameworks. Academic Leadership: Editor of The Islamic Middle East And Japan (2007), contributing to transnational historical discourse. She supervises graduate work in Islamic history and Middle Eastern studies, with affiliations across multiple institutions including Princeton University's Near Eastern Studies department. Office located at 1004 MacKinnon Extension, University of Guelph.
