Winnie Wong is a Professor of Rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on art history, particularly exploring themes of fakes, forgeries, and authorship through interdisciplinary approaches. She examines the global artistic networks of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, challenging Western narratives of Chinese artistic practices. Wong holds a PhD from MIT's History, Theory + Criticism program and was a Harvard Society of Fellows Junior Fellow. Her major works include Van Gogh on Demand: China and the Readymade (2014, Joseph Levenson Prize winner), Learning from Shenzhen (2017), and a forthcoming book on Canton trade portraitists. She teaches courses like Theory of the Copy and Rhetoric of the Image , mentoring undergraduates through the Undergraduate Research Apprentices program and advising PhD students in art history and visual studies. Wong's research has been supported by grants from Mellon Foundation, ACLS, SSRC, and others. Her work has been translated into multiple languages and appears in journals like Current Anthropology and Law & Literature . She frequently discusses her work on podcasts and collaborates with museums including M+ and the Asian Art Museum.
Chi-Ming Yang is a Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, where she has established herself as a leading scholar in literary and visual culture studies with a focus on race, empire, and East-West cultural exchanges. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges British, American, Asian, and Latin American studies while examining historical periods from the early modern era through the 18th century to contemporary contexts. Educational Background: Ph.D. in English from Cornell University B.A. in Comparative Literature from Stanford University with emphases in Spanish, Chinese, and English Professor Yang's research interrogates the intersections of race, visual culture, and imperial histories through multiple disciplinary lenses. Her work explores how objects, images, and texts function within global networks of power and representation, with particular attention to transpacific and transatlantic connections. She has developed significant expertise in chinoiserie, material culture, and the visual dimensions of racial formation across historical periods. Her recent publications demonstrate a growing interest in ecological perspectives on race and empire, particularly evident in her 2021 article 'The Song of the Rice Bird,' which innovatively examines plantation slavery through avian migration patterns. Her scholarship consistently bridges historical analysis with contemporary concerns about representation, power, and cultural exchange. Professional Recognition: 2022 Best Advisor Award in English, Sponsored by the English Undergraduate Advisory Board Professor Yang maintains an active advising role, having chaired doctoral dissertations including Jacob Myers' 'Noxious Life: Figuring Vermin in the Natural Histories of the Anglophone Caribbean' (2025) and Cassidy Holahan's 'Dramatizing the Novel: Transmedial Exchange in the Long Eighteenth Century' (2023). She regularly participates in departmental workshops and events, including the 2024 conversation with Sharon Holland exploring Black feminist perspectives on animal life in relation to Octavia E. Butler's work. Her teaching portfolio reflects her interdisciplinary approach, with recent courses including 'Science Fictions of Octavia E. Butler,' 'Orientalisms,' '18th-Century British Poetry,' and 'Arts of Abolition and Liberation,' demonstrating her commitment to connecting historical scholarship with contemporary social justice concerns.
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.
Professor Mari Yoshihara is a bilingual scholar and writer affiliated with the University of Hawaii as a Core Faculty member. She serves as Editor of American Quarterly , the journal of the American Studies Association, and collaborates with international scholars. Her research focuses on U.S. cultural history, U.S.-Asian relations, Asian American studies, gender studies, and literary studies. She holds a BA from the University of Tokyo and a PhD from Brown University. Her work bridges academic and popular audiences, with notable publications including Embracing the East (2003), Musicians from a Different Shore (2007), and Dearest Lenny (2019). She also writes extensively in Japanese on topics ranging from graduate education to contemporary American culture. Her interdisciplinary approach combines historical analysis, ethnography, and personal narratives to explore cultural exchanges, identity, and music. Professor Yoshihara actively engages with classical music as an amateur pianist, participating in prestigious competitions like the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Her writings and fieldwork on music competitions highlight themes of civic engagement and cultural significance. Her blog and website further showcase her interests in U.S. affairs, classical music, and cross-cultural relationships.
Amitav Acharya is UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance and Distinguished Professor at American University's School of International Service. He holds honorary positions at Rhodes University, University of Pretoria, and Nankai University, with previous appointments at Harvard, Oxford, and Tsinghua University. Research focuses on: Global international relations and world order transitions US-China relations and Asian regionalism Non-Western international relations theory United Nations and global governance Publications demonstrate extensive contributions to IR theory with works translated into multiple languages. Honors include: Three-time ISA Distinguished Scholar Award recipient American University Scholar-Teacher of the Year (2020) First non-Western President of International Studies Association (2014-2015)
Kuiyi Shen is Professor of Asian Art History, Theory, and Criticism at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he also serves as Vice Chair and Director of the PhD Program in the Department of Visual Arts. He is affiliated with the Division of Arts and Humanities and maintains an active research, teaching, and curatorial practice focused on Chinese and Japanese art, particularly modern and contemporary Chinese art and Sino-Japanese artistic exchanges. BA in Fine Arts, Shanghai Normal University MA and PhD in Art History, The Ohio State University Shen's research centers on the evolution of Chinese art in the modern era, with emphasis on ink art, unofficial art movements, and the interplay between tradition and modernity. His work explores how political, social, and transnational forces have shaped artistic expression in China, particularly during transformative periods such as the late Qing, Republican era, and post-Cultural Revolution decades. He is deeply engaged in the study of literati painting, Buddhist art, and mass visual culture, including posters and illustrated magazines. The 15 most recent publications and exhibition catalogs reflect a consistent focus on modern and contemporary Chinese ink art, unofficial art practices, and cross-cultural dialogues. Key themes include the reinvention of tradition, the role of Japan in modern Chinese art, and the emergence of independent artistic voices during politically repressive periods. His scholarly output spans academic monographs, co-edited volumes, and curatorial projects that bridge East and West. Notable scientific achievement: 2013 ICAS Book Prize in Humanities for Arts of Modern China Shen has advised numerous exhibition projects and served on international juries, including the Guggenheim Museum and the International Awards for Art Criticism. He has held academic positions at Ohio University, SUNY Buffalo, Rice University, and the University of Oregon before joining UCSD. He is Managing Editor of Brill’s Modern Asian Art and Visual Culture book series, underscoring his leadership in the global academic community. His teaching includes courses on Chinese and Japanese art, landscape painting, and contemporary art and mass culture. Shen has curated or consulted on over 20 major exhibitions worldwide, including A Century in Crisis (Guggenheim), Blooming in the Shadows (China Institute), and Light before Dawn (Asia Society), demonstrating his dual expertise in scholarship and curatorial practice.
Melissa McCormick, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Japanese Art and Culture at Harvard University, holds a Ph.D. in Japanese Art History from Princeton University (2000) and a B.A. in art history and Japanese from the University of Michigan (1990). She has taught at Columbia University as the Atsumi Assistant Professor of Japanese Art (2000-05) and at Harvard since 2005, where she was promoted to Professor with tenure in 2009. She has held visiting professorships at the University of Zurich and Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil. Education : University of Michigan (B.A.), Princeton University (Ph.D.), Gakushūin University (1996-98) Affiliations : Harvard Art Museums, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NHK Documentaries, Getty Foundation Her research explores the interplay of text and image in Japanese art, focusing on emaki (narrative scrolls), The Tale of Genji , and Buddhist themes. Her 2018 monograph The Tale of Genji: A Visual Companion and 2009 book Tosa Mitsunobu and the Small Scroll in Medieval Japan established new frameworks for analyzing scroll format and narrative. Current projects examine Buddhist nun-artist Ōtagaki Rengetsu and bridal manuscript traditions. Selected articles highlight her work on Hakubyō (ink-line painting), medieval Genji genealogies, and the poetics of chigo (novice) tales. She has contributed to exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dartmouth College’s Hood Museum. Scientific Awards : Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities (1990) At Harvard, McCormick teaches courses ranging from introductory surveys ( Arts of Japan ) to advanced seminars on gender, tea culture, and museum research. She co-curated the 2019 Tale of Genji exhibition at the Met, which received critical acclaim, and developed an edX course with over 20,000 enrollments. Her consultancy work extends to opera and dance companies, including Japan Society and Asia Society of Texas.
Patricia Sieber is a Professor of Chinese Literature in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at The Ohio State University. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Chinese literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on print culture, performance culture, and transcultural studies, with emphasis on traditional Chinese drama's global afterlives. She directs the Translation and Interpreting Program and leads the Chinese Theater Collaborative project funded by OSU's Arts and Humanities Grant. Notable works include Theaters of Desire (2003) and editorial work on How To Read Chinese Drama (2022). Awards include the 2023 Ratner Teaching Award. She has held fellowships at the Library of Congress, Princeton Library, and Taipei's National Central Library. Active in scholarly societies, she serves on editorial boards for journals like Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture . Her teaching spans traditional Chinese literature, translation theory, and interdisciplinary courses. She pioneered experiential learning initiatives including a drama translation residency with Amy Ng. Her research has been supported by NEH, ACLS, Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation, and DAAD grants. Public outreach includes collaborations with the Royal Shakespeare Company and media appearances (BBC, New York Times).
Travis Zadeh is a Professor and Chair of Religious Studies at Yale University, and Chair of the Council on Middle East Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard University, following an A.M. and B.A. from Middlebury College. His research bridges early Mediterranean/West Asian religions and Islamic studies, focusing on the interplay between science, magic, law, and religion. Key interests include encyclopedism, cosmography, Arabic/Persian intellectual cultures, and the history of the book. Zadeh’s work examines how translation, geography, and textual interpretation shaped medieval Islamic empires. His landmark publications include Mapping Frontiers across Medieval Islam (2011), The Vernacular Qurʾan (2012), and Wonders and Rarities (2023). He has been awarded Fulbright grants, a Mellon Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Research Themes : Qur’anic Studies, Occult Sciences, Medieval Intellectual History, Sacred Geography, Translation Theories Recent Focus : Marvelous natural histories, pre-modern cosmographies, and the socio-political role of textual transmission Zadeh’s scholarship emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending textual analysis with material culture studies. His current projects explore the codicological dimensions of medieval Arabic/Persian manuscripts and the digital humanities’ impact on Islamic studies.
Mátyás Mervay is a Research Fellow at New York University's Center for European and Mediterranean Studies. He holds a PhD in East Asian and Modern European History (2024) from NYU, an MA in Modern and Contemporary Chinese History (2017) from Nankai University, and a BA in History and East Asian Cultures (2012) from Eötvös Loránd University. His research bridges Habsburg Central Europe and China, focusing on Transnational and Global History Refugee and Migrant Diasporas History of the Habsburg Empire in East Asia European Imperialism and Colonialism in China Republican-Era Chinese History Recent publications analyze Austro-Hungarian refugee soldiers in China (2018) Shanghai’s Hungarian Jewish rescuer Paul Komor (2023) Interwar Shanghai migrant communities (2024) with upcoming work on the Oxford Handbook of Global Habsburg History (2025). Scientific awards include R. John Rath Prize (2025) University of Vienna GLORE Fellowship (2023) Jewish Culture Fellowship Grant (2023)
Annetta Alexandridis is an Associate Professor in the Department of History of Art and Visual Studies at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for European Studies. She earned her Ph.D. from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, where her dissertation won the Munich University Association's Förderpreis and a German Archaeological Institute travel scholarship. Her research spans Roman sculpture, Greek mythological iconography, and intersections of gender/animal studies with archaeology. She examines how media like plaster casts and photographs shape archaeological knowledge, particularly through colonialist and Enlightenment discourses. Her current work investigates human-animal boundaries in antiquity and co-directs the Harvard-Cornell Sardis excavation funerary culture survey. Key publications include Destroy the Copy – Plaster Cast Collections in the 19th and 20th Centuries (2022) Mensch und Tier in der Antike (2008) Archäologie der Photographie (2004) Die Frauen des römischen Kaiserhauses (2004) Scientific honors include: 2015–16 Cornell Society for the Humanities Fellow 2005–06 Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies Junior Fellow 1997–98 German Archaeological Institute travel scholarship Munich University Association Förderpreis for dissertation She co-curates Cornell's plaster cast collection with Verity Platt, advises cross-departmental dissertations, and co-ordinates graduate exchange with Freiburg University. Her teaching integrates material analysis with theoretical approaches to antiquity.
Daniel L. Schlafly is a Professor in the Department of History at Saint Louis University 's College of Arts and Sciences . His career spans decades of research in Russian and East European history, with a focus on cross-cultural exchanges between Russia and Western Europe. Education : Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1972), M.A. in Russian Studies (Columbia, 1965), Certificate from the Russian Institute (Columbia, 1965), A.B. (Georgetown University, 1961), and M.B.A. (Saint Louis University, 1998). Research interests include cross-cultural history, Jesuit educational institutions in Russia and America, religious minorities in post-Soviet Russia, and East-West encounters during the Enlightenment. His work emphasizes primary source analysis in original languages like Russian, French, and Italian. Publication trends highlight comparative studies of Jesuit schools, diplomatic records, and religious identity formation. His articles span 1970-2008 , with a focus on Russia's engagement with Catholicism and Western institutions. Scientific awards and grants include: Mellon grants for international research (1991-1996) Adenauer Scholarship for German studies (1961-62) Conference funding from 2002-2014 Grants for translating Marek Inglot's Jesuit history (2008-2013) He has taught courses on the origins of the modern world , history of Eastern Europe , Russian history , and nationalism studies .
Thomas B. Gold is a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, and has held multiple leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP), a consortium managing advanced Chinese language programs at Tsinghua University. He has also served as Associate Dean of International and Area Studies, Founding Director of the Berkeley China Initiative, and Chair of the Center for Chinese Studies. Gold’s research examines the emergence of individual autonomy and civil society in East Asian contexts, particularly mainland China and Taiwan, focusing on topics like guanxi, entrepreneurship, popular culture, and non-governmental organizations. Gold earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Oberlin College, followed by a Master’s in Regional Studies-East Asia and a PhD in Sociology from Harvard University. His early academic work included being among the first American exchange students to study in China at Fudan University in Shanghai (1979-1980). He has taught courses on Development and Globalization, Contemporary Chinese Society, and special topics like North Korean Society and non-profits in education. His advocacy for public sociology led to roles on boards of organizations such as the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the East Bay College Fund, alongside editorial board positions in scholarly journals. Gold’s research trends emphasize civil society development, post-authoritarian societal change, and cross-strait dynamics between China and Taiwan. His work bridges traditional cultural frameworks with modern political and economic transformations, particularly in analyzing how individual agency evolves within authoritarian systems. Awards include the 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award and the 2010 Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement. As an advisor, he supports international student groups like Strait Talk and the East-West Coalition, and advises programs in Japan and Singapore. His civic engagement and academic leadership highlight a commitment to both scholarly rigor and practical societal impact. Labs/Teams: Gold is affiliated with the Institute of East Asian Studies (IUP program), the Center for Chinese Studies, and collaborates with academic consortia and civic organizations globally.
Academic Overview: Todd Lewis is a Distinguished Professor of Arts and Humanities at the College of the Holy Cross, holding the Monsignor Edward G. Murray Professorship. He specializes in Newar Buddhism, Himalayan religions, and the intersections of ecology and religion. Lewis earned his Ph.D. in Religion from Columbia University and has conducted extensive fieldwork in Nepal. Education: Ph.D. in Religion, Columbia University Research Interests: Lewis focuses on Buddhist narratives, ritual practices, and the role of merchants in religious history. His work explores Newar Buddhism, Himalayan cultural history, and the application of religious frameworks to contemporary issues like ecology. Grants & Leadership: Lewis directed six NEH summer institutes for educators, emphasizing Himalayan studies and Buddhist traditions. He has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and others. Labs/Teams: Active in Holy Cross' Asian Studies and Environmental Studies programs. Co-founded the Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association and serves on editorial boards for Journal of Buddhist Ethics and Religions .
Ronnie Littlejohn is Professor of Philosophy and Director of Asian Studies at Belmont University, within the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Baylor University with a specialization in Comparative Philosophy, Chinese thought, Ethics, and Early Modern Thought. His academic work bridges Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, with a particular focus on Daoism, Confucianism, and moral philosophy. Education: Ph.D., Baylor University Post-doctoral Studies: University of Chicago, University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, Harvard University, Notre Dame, Pennsylvania State University Dr. Littlejohn’s research interests include comparative philosophy, Chinese philosophy, ethics, and the philosophy of language. He has conducted extensive field research on Zhengyi Daoist lineages in China and has been deeply involved in promoting Asian studies in the U.S. through leadership roles in ASIANetwork and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. His scholarship emphasizes the relevance of classical Chinese thought to contemporary ethical and philosophical debates. His recent publications span topics such as Daoist sacred sites, moral education, philosophical dialogue in Chinese thought, and the reinterpretation of classical texts like the Daodejing and Zhuangzi . The articles reflect a strong thematic engagement with Daoism, Confucian ethics, comparative hermeneutics, and the application of wu-wei to Western moral philosophy. His work consistently bridges historical analysis with contemporary philosophical inquiry. Scientific Awards and Honors: Tennessee Professor of the Year, 2015 Virginia M. Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, 2013 Distinguished Service Award, ASIANetwork, 2021 International Talent Cooperation Programme Award, Henan Province, China, 2016 Distinguished Service Award, International East-West Center Alumni Association, 2006 Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, 2003 Dr. Littlejohn has served as a grant director and co-director for multiple educational initiatives, including the Tennessee National Consortium for Teaching about Asia and the National Consortium for Teaching about East Asia. He has directed Belmont University’s student travel programs in China and Hawaii and has led numerous faculty development workshops. He is also an active contributor to academic journals and encyclopedias, including the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the International Encyclopedia of Ethics . He has directed several symposia on Asian studies at Belmont and has been a keynote speaker at international conferences in China and the U.S. His work in media includes television programs on Daoism and contributions to National Geographic ’s Sacred Journeys series.
