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Anup Grewal is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) within the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies and affiliated with the Tri-Campus Graduate Department of History at the University of Toronto. She teaches courses in History, Women’s Studies, and Global Asia Studies, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives into her pedagogy and research. Education: PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago (2012) MA in History, Trent University BA in History, McGill University Her research focuses on modern Chinese cultural history, gender studies, and transnational leftist movements. She explores intersections of literature, film, and political activism, particularly examining Chinese women's roles in leftist movements of the 1920s-30s. Additional projects include comparative analyses of socialism in Indian and Chinese literature, and studies of minority films in contemporary China. Prior to her current position, she held roles as a Lecturer in Chinese and Comparative Literature at King’s College London (2013–15) and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Leiden University (2012–13).

• Cultural and Intellectual East Asia
• Empire, Colonialism and Indigeneity
• Gender, Sex and Sexualities
• +7 more

Professor Stephen Chan is a faculty member at SOAS University of London in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POL) . With a focus on African political thought and international relations, his work critically examines postcolonialism, decoloniality, and global governance. Key research themes include: Decolonizing international relations theory Sino-African political dynamics Election observation and democratic processes Non-Western cosmopolitanism Comparative diplomatic practices His recent publications analyze the ideological ambiguity of decoloniality (2023), pluralist visions for global security (2017), and the legacy of African liberation movements (2021). He has advised multiple theses on topics ranging from parliamentary governance in Kenya/Zimbabwe to China-Africa media interactions. Notably: Critiqued the misuse of 'decoloniality' as ideological rhetoric (2023) Authored a poetic autobiography of political engagement (2022) Traced Africa's intellectual history of freedom (2021) Examined Zimbabwean elections (2017) Explored non-Western modernity (2018)

• African Political Thought
• International Relations
• Decoloniality
• +4 more

Emily Butterworth is a Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at King’s College London, within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. She holds a prestigious position in Early Modern French literature studies, focusing on speech practices, women’s writing, and cultural analysis. Her career includes roles at the University of Sheffield (2002–2006) before joining King’s, where she has been a core faculty member since 2006. Education: Emily studied French at University College London (UCL) and the University of Cambridge, establishing her foundation in French literary and cultural studies. Research Interests : Her work centers on early modern literature and thought, particularly deviant speech, gossip, and the role of scandal in French Renaissance texts. Key focuses include: Analysis of Marguerite de Navarre’s Heptameron and its cultural context Montaigne’s exploration of ethics and skepticism Gendered discourse in early modern women’s writing The intersection of print culture, censorship, and obscenity Projects & Engagement : Co-Investigator on the AHRC-funded Gossip and Nonsense in the French Renaissance (2012–2015), she collaborated on artistic projects such as Spinning Stories and Chinese Whispers . She has contributed to BBC programs like Radio 4’s Something Understood and Radio 3’s Free Thinking , discussing gossip’s cultural significance and early modern news. Publications : Her scholarship includes monographs like The Unbridled Tongue (2016) and Marguerite de Navarre: A Critical Companion (2022). Her articles span topics from Renaissance book history to the ethics of speech in Montaigne’s essays. Affiliations : She is part of King’s Centre for Early Modern Studies and contributes to research groups on textual representation and visual culture.

• Early Modern Literature
• Renaissance Studies
• French Literature
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Hsiu-Chuang Deppman is a Professor of Chinese and Cinema and Media at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds positions in both the East Asian Studies and Cinema and Media departments. Currently on leave for the 2024-25 academic year, her research focuses on film adaptation, Chinese cinema history, and comparative literature. She has published extensively, including books like Close-ups and Long Shots in Modern Chinese Cinemas (2021) and Adapted for the Screen (2010). Deppman earned her PhD (1999) and MA (1993) in Chinese Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BA (1990) from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. Her research interests span: Adaptation Studies History of Chinese Cinema Documentary and Media Studies Contemporary Chinese Fiction Comparative Literature Awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching Award, she has also received grants and fellowships including the Fulbright Research Grant, Taiwan National Science Council Grant, and Freeman Foundation Grant for Asian Studies, among others. In addition to her research, Deppman teaches courses such as Contemporary East Asian Cinema and Intermediate Chinese I . Her work has been supported by the GLCA/Mellon New Directions Initiative and the Chiu Scholarly Exchange Program for Taiwan Studies. Her current project involves writing a book on Jia Zhangke’s cinema of reflection, reflecting her ongoing engagement with modern Chinese cinematic narratives.

• Adaptation Studies
• History of Chinese Cinema
• Chinese and Taiwanese Documentary
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Hiroto Yoshihara is a Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, School of Culture, Media and Society, specializing in Japanese intellectual history, Buddhist studies, and Sino-Japanese comparative literature. With a Master of Arts from Waseda University, he has conducted extensive research on ancient and medieval Japanese literature, religious history, and cultural exchange between Japan and China. Yoshihara's research interests focus on Japanese intellectual history, ancient and medieval history, Japanese and Chinese literature, Buddhist studies, and Shinto studies. His work particularly examines the intersection of religious thought and literary expression in premodern Japan, with special attention to figures like Prince Shotoku and Sugawara no Michizane (deified as Tenjin). His comparative approach reveals the complex cultural flows between Japan and continental Asia. His scholarly output shows a consistent focus on religious narratives, particularly Buddhist traditions, and their literary expressions. A significant portion of his recent work analyzes the reception and adaptation of Chinese literary and religious traditions in Japan, especially during the Heian period. His research demonstrates how Japanese intellectuals engaged with continental models while developing distinctive local traditions. Yoshihara received the Kubota Utsuho Award in 1987 for his contributions to Japanese literary studies. His research has been supported by numerous grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, including projects on East Asian cultural exchange and religious thought during Japan's regency and Insei periods. He has directed significant research projects, including the Institute for Japanese Religions and Cultural History at Waseda University (2021-2025). His international collaborations, particularly with Chinese academic institutions, reflect his commitment to cross-cultural scholarship and the global dimensions of Japanese religious and literary history.

• Japanese literature
• Japanese history
• History of thought
• +8 more

Stephen F. Teiser is the D.T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies and Professor of Religion at Princeton University. He holds the Old Dominion Research Professor title in the Humanities Council (2022-2023). His work focuses on Buddhist rituals, Chinese religious history, and the intersection of Indian and Chinese religious traditions. Teiser delivered lectures at Fudan University, shaping his research into broader scholarly discourse. His book Ritual and the Study of Buddhism (2022) explores Buddhist rituals in Chinese contexts, emphasizing cross-cultural and methodological insights. His research bridges medieval Chinese religious practices with modern academic frameworks, addressing topics like funerary rituals, lay communities, and textual interpretation. His academic contributions span Buddhist historiography, ritual studies, and East Asian religious history. Notable works include analyses of the Ghost Festival, Dunhuang liturgies, and comparative religious texts. Teiser’s interdisciplinary approach highlights the adaptation of Buddhism in Chinese culture and its global scholarly relevance. Awards: Old Dominion Research Professor (2022-2023) Teiser’s research also engages with collaborative international projects, such as co-editing volumes on divination and East Asian manuscripts. His work emphasizes the importance of language and cultural context in interpreting religious practices, making his scholarship foundational for understanding Buddhism’s evolution in China.

• Buddhist Studies
• Chinese Religion
• Medieval Chinese History
• +3 more

Michele Matteini serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Art History at New York University's College of Arts and Science, specializing in Late Imperial Chinese painting and material culture (ca. 1400-1800) with focus on Qing dynasty antiquarianism, collecting practices, and eighteenth-century transnational artistic exchanges. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. (2012) in History of Art from the Institute of Fine Arts M.A. (2004) in History of Art from New York University B.A. (2000) summa cum laude from the University of Venice, Ca’ Foscari Research interests encompass Late Imperial Chinese painting, antiquarianism, collecting culture, Qing history, urban culture, inter-Asian artistic exchanges, eighteenth-century globalism, craft traditions, embodied knowledge, and art historical methodology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, religious studies, and art history to examine material culture across East Asia. Recent publications reveal consistent thematic focus on eighteenth-century material practices, analyzing antiquarian objects, historical figure cults, and cross-cultural artistic production. Works integrate art historical analysis with anthropological perspectives on topics like rock collecting, filial piety, and sacred materiality, demonstrating how objects functioned within social and global contexts. His scholarly recognition includes: The Andrew Mellon Foundation Fellowship for Assistant Professors, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2013-2014) Ittleson Fellowship, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art (2007-2009) Panofsky Distinguished Fellowship, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University (2002-2007) Matteini's research has been supported by major fellowships from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and National Gallery of Art. While current advising activities and grant projects beyond these fellowships are not detailed in available sources, his extensive publication record indicates sustained scholarly productivity focused on East Asian material culture.

• Late Imperial Chinese painting and material culture
• antiquarianism and collecting culture
• Qing history
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Bruce Rusk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia (Faculty of Arts) and serves as the Graduate Advisor. He previously taught at Cornell University for six years before joining UBC in 2012. During the 2012–13 academic year, he was on leave at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the National Humanities Center in North Carolina. Additionally, he is the webmaster and past president of the Society for Ming Studies, a scholarly organization focused on Ming history and culture. Bruce holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where his dissertation, The Rogue Classicist: Feng Fang (1493–1566) and his Forgeries , examined sixteenth-century classical text forgeries. Following his Ph.D., he was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University from 2004 to 2006. He also earned his B.A. (History Honours) from UBC, which inspired his return to Vancouver to join the scholarly community here. His research focuses on the cultural history of pre-modern and early modern China, particularly the Ming and Qing dynasties. Key interests include authenticity and forgery in textual and material culture, transmission of knowledge, history of philology, writing systems in East Asia, and digital humanities. He collaborates globally on the SSHRC-funded FROGBEAR project, developing an open access repository for East Asian religious studies. Current work explores authentication practices surrounding artifacts like Xuande incense burners and silver ingots, reflecting his broader study of how authenticity and deception were negotiated in late imperial China. Recent publications address intersections between forgery, material culture, and digital methodologies, including co-editing Literary Information in China: A History (2021) and analyzing Ming-Qing literary practices. His work highlights the cultural significance of textual preservation and the sociocultural dynamics of early modern Chinese scholarship. As a leader in academic organizations, Bruce has contributed to the Society for Ming Studies, advancing research in Ming culture through his roles as webmaster and past president. His advising and grants include mentoring UBC graduate students and contributing to the FROGBEAR initiative. His career bridges historical research with digital innovation, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to Asian studies.

• Chinese Cultural History
• Material Culture
• Textual Studies
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Dr. Apala Das is a Research Fellow at Bilkent University, specializing in 20th-century global anglophone literatures, modernist poetry and poetics, and postsecularism studies. Her academic work bridges postcolonial theory, South Asian literatures, and political theology within transnational frameworks. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto, completed in 2024. Dr. Das's research centers on modernist asceticism as a critical lens for examining literary experiments by figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Hilda Doolittle, Aurobindo Ghose, and May Sinclair. She investigates how these writers negotiated ascetical ideals within colonial and postcolonial contexts, connecting literary form to biopolitics, secular citizenship, and ethno-nationalist ideologies. Her approach synthesizes postcolonial ethics, comparative literature, and political theology to analyze transnational modernist aesthetics. Her publications from 2018-2024 reveal consistent engagement with mobility, hybridity, and spiritual dimensions across literary traditions. Early work analyzed mobility in ethnography and Romantic-era travel, evolving toward contemporary meta-minimalist fiction and systematic studies of asceticism in global modernism. Dr. Das has received significant recognition for her scholarship: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (awarded twice) Chancellor Jackman Junior Fellowship from the Jackman Humanities Institute, University of Toronto Khashu Award for Tagore Studies from the Institute for South Asia Studies, UC Berkeley As a recent PhD graduate, she has not yet taken on formal graduate advising roles. Her research has been supported by competitive doctoral grants including the Ontario Graduate Scholarships and Chancellor Jackman Junior Fellowship, with current work funded through the Bilkent University/British Institute at Ankara Joint Fellowship. Dr. Das is actively developing her book manuscript "Modernist Asceticisms: Discipline, Form, and the Postsecular in the Transnational Twentieth Century" while participating in academic initiatives like the 2024 book launch for "Mind and Embodiment in Late Victorian Literature".

• 20th-century global anglophone literatures
• modernist poetry and poetics
• postsecularism studies
• +4 more

Professor Mary Augusta Brazelton is a Professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of History and Philosophy of Science and a Fellow of Jesus College. She serves as Director of Studies in Natural Sciences (History and Philosophy of Science) at Jesus College (on leave 2024-2025). Her academic work focuses on the history of science and medicine in modern China, with particular attention to global health, transportation technologies, and the intersection of science and state power. Education: BA (Harvard), MPhil and PhD (Yale). Awards include the 2020 Student-led Teaching Award and the 2019 Zhu Kezhen Senior Award. She is also a Trustee and Research Fellow of the Needham Research Institute and a Council member of the American Association for the History of Medicine. Her research explores topics such as mass vaccination policies in 20th-century China, Sino-French scientific collaborations, and the history of penicillin development. Current projects include studies on the Sino-French Institute in Lyon and transnational histories of civil aviation. Publications include Mass Vaccination: Citizens' Bodies and State Power in Modern China (2019) and China in Global Health: Past and Present (2023). She actively contributes to academic discussions through media engagements and international conferences.

• History of public/global health
• Global studies of science, technology, and medicine
• Modern Chinese history
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Prof. Ann Heylen is a Professor at the Department of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature (TCLL) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), Taipei, Taiwan since 2008. She also serves as Executive Director of the International Taiwan Studies Center at NTNU. Holding a Ph.D. in Chinese Studies (Sinology) from Catholic University Leuven (KULeuven), her research focuses on Taiwan’s historical narration, colonial periods (Dutch and Japanese), sociolinguistics, and digital humanities. Education: Ph.D. in Chinese Studies (Sinology), Catholic University Leuven (KULeuven), Belgium Research Interests: Prof. Heylen explores Taiwan’s historical discourse through digital newspaper corpora and language planning. Her work applies Einar Haugen’s sociolinguistic matrix model to analyze Taiwanese language standardization. She also investigates 17th-century European presence in East Asia, particularly Dutch-Taiwan relations, and uses ego-documents (diaries, oral histories) to study Taiwanese national identity. Publications: Her work bridges historical analysis and modern methodologies, with recent focus on digital humanities and colonial historiography. Affiliations: Founding board member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS) Editor-in-Chief of the East Asian Journal of Popular Culture (Intellect Books) Current Projects: Monograph on Formosa media narratives in Benelux newspapers (19th-20th centuries) and 400-year Dutch-Taiwan relations commemoration studies.

• Taiwan History
• Colonial Studies
• Digital Humanities
• +3 more

Xiaofei Tian is Professor of Chinese Literature in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She joined Harvard in 2000 after teaching positions at Colgate University and Cornell University. Her research centers on Chinese literature and cultural history from the Middle Period (1st–13th century CE), with expertise in manuscript culture, courtly literary production, and Buddhism's influence on poetic traditions. She also investigates late imperial/modern Chinese literature, travel writing, and Cultural Revolution trauma narratives. Professor Tian's scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition: Patrick D. Hanan Book Prize for Translation (2016) for The World of a Tiny Insect Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2006 for Tao Yuanming and Manuscript Culture Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2018 for The Oxford Handbook of Classical Chinese Literature She mentors graduate students while teaching courses including Art and Violence in the Cultural Revolution , and currently serves as Editor of Early Medieval China and founding co-editor of The Nanyang Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture .

• Medieval Chinese Literature
• Chinese Cultural History
• Manuscript Culture
• +8 more

Yingjin Zhang is a Distinguished Professor of Modern Chinese Literature at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the School of Arts and Humanities. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Stanford University (1992). His research focuses on Chinese literature, comparative literature, cinema studies, visual culture, cultural history, and urban studies. Previously, he taught at Indiana University and served as President of the American Association of Chinese Comparative Literature. He has held prestigious fellowships including the Fulbright China Research Fellowship (2003-04) and has been a visiting professor at institutions like the University of Chicago and Nanjing University. Education: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Stanford University (1992) M.A., University of Iowa (1987) Research Interests: Zhang’s work interrogates intersections between literature, cinema, and urbanization in modern China. He analyzes how cultural forms like documentary film and urban narratives reflect societal transformations, translocal identities, and global cultural flows. Notable themes include post-disaster epistemologies in Chinese reportage, the politics of space in Jia Zhangke’s films, and the reconfiguration of Shanghai’s cinematic legacy. His scholarship bridges comparative literature methodologies with empirical film and literary analysis. Awards & Fellowships: Fulbright China Research Fellowship (2003-04) National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Fellowship (1999) Outstanding Junior Faculty Award (Indiana University, 1996) Advising & Editorial Roles: Doctoral advisor for scholars now at institutions like Peking University and Texas A&M Editorial board member for journals including Journal of Chinese Cinemas and Prism: Theory and Modern Chinese Literature His transnational research collaborations and editorial work position him as a key figure in global Sinophone studies and Chinese cinema scholarship.

• Chinese Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Cinema and Media Studies
• +3 more

He Chengzhou is a full Professor of English, Drama, and Comparative Literature, and currently serves as Dean of the School of Arts at Nanjing University. He holds a Doctor of Arts from Oslo University, following B.A. and M.A. degrees from Nanjing Normal University. His academic leadership roles include Chinese Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies (2013-2017), President of Jiangsu Comparative Literature Association (2016-present), and former Chairman of the International Ibsen Committee (2010-2012). Research focuses on Henrik Ibsen, Scandinavian literatures, intercultural theatre, and comparative drama. Key works include (2004) and (2009). He has been honored with the Ibsen Medal (2002) and the prestigious Changjiang Distinguished Professor title (2015). Professional contributions include directing the Chinese-Nordic Cultural Centre and European Studies Centre at Nanjing University. His academic trajectory spans over three decades, with influential publications in intercultural performance, gender studies, and environmental literary analysis.

• Scandinavian Literatures
• Comparative Literature
• European and American Drama
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O.J. (Oliver) Moore is a Professor and Chair of Chinese Language & Culture at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts. His expertise spans Art History of China, early/modern Chinese history, archaeology, and material culture. He holds a PhD from Cambridge University and has held roles at Leiden University, the British Museum, and Kyoto University. His research integrates historical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of Chinese art and culture, with a focus on photography, printing systems, and classical texts. Education: Studied Chinese at London University (SOAS) and Fudan University (Shanghai), PhD at Cambridge on Tang Dynasty civil service recruitment rituals. Teaching includes modern Chinese language, East Asian art/media, and thesis writing. He supervises PhD projects on Chinese art collecting in the Netherlands and collaborates internationally on courses like 'Chinese Gardens in Europe.' Key publications: Photography in China: Science, Commerce and Communication (2022), translations of Tang-era texts, and studies on Tang art and archaeology. Research emphasizes demystifying Chinese culture through translation and cross-disciplinary approaches. Past roles include Curator at the Netherlands Museum of Ethnology and Visiting Professor at Kyoto University.

• Art History of China
• Early and Modern Chinese History
• Archaeology of China/East Asia
• +6 more