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Xiaomei Chen is a Professor of Chinese Literature at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Comparative Literature, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, and CATS (Cinematic and Technological Studies) programs. Her research focuses on modern Chinese literature, theater, cultural studies, and performance studies, with a particular emphasis on revolutionary propaganda, postsocialist cultural reconfigurations, and diasporic narratives. Education: She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University, an M.A. in English Literature from Brigham Young University, and a B.A. in English (equivalent) from Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages. Research Interests : Modern Chinese literature and drama Revolutionary theater and propaganda Women’s literature and feminist critique Cross-cultural performance and comparative literature Postsocialist cultural studies Publications include seminal works such as Staging Chinese Revolution: Theater, Film and the Afterlives of Propaganda (2016), Occidentalism: A Theory of Counter-discourse in Post-Mao China (1995), and edited volumes on modern Chinese drama and cultural studies. Her articles critically examine themes like revolutionary narratives, diasporic identities, and the intersection of theater with political discourse. She has taught courses on modern Chinese literature, film, and drama in English translation, emphasizing cultural analysis and transnational perspectives. Her work bridges historical and contemporary studies, offering insights into China’s evolving cultural landscape.

• Modern Chinese Literature
• Theater Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +5 more

Lara C. W. Blanchard is the Luce Professor of East Asian Art and Lloyd Wright Professor in Conservative Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she has been a faculty member since 2001. She holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Michigan and specializes in Chinese pictorial arts from the Song dynasty to the present. Her interdisciplinary research integrates art history, gender studies, and literary analysis. Her education includes: Ph.D., Art History, University of Michigan (2001) M.A., Art History, University of Michigan (1992) B.A., Art History and Mathematics, College of William & Mary (1988) Her research focuses on gender in Chinese art, particularly women as artists and patrons, text-image relationships, and the construction of gendered subjectivity in painting and poetry. She examines how visual culture reflects and constructs ideals of femininity and masculinity, especially during the Song dynasty. Her work often bridges art historical analysis with literary and philosophical contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Her recent publications and lectures reveal a strong trend in analyzing emotional interiority, political allegory, and gendered representation in East Asian visual culture. She frequently explores how poetic themes are visualized in painting and how female subjectivity is constructed across historical periods. Her scientific awards include: 2020 Joseph Levenson Pre-1900 Book Prize (China) 2016 Franklin R. Buchanan Prize for Asia Curriculum Materials 2020 Faculty Prize for Scholarship, HWS Lloyd Wright Professorship in Conservative Studies (2018–) Lara Blanchard has been actively involved in mentoring through curriculum development, textbook authorship, and graduate advising. She has received multiple research grants from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and external foundations such as the Freeman Foundation. Her collaborative projects, such as the textbook Asian Art , demonstrate her commitment to pedagogy and accessible scholarship. She is affiliated with several academic organizations, including the Association for Asian Studies, College Art Association, and Cornell University’s East Asia Program as an Associate in Research. She has delivered lectures at institutions like Stanford, Princeton, and the University of Kansas, and has participated in panels and symposia on gender, Buddhism, and visual culture in Asia.

• Chinese Art History
• Gender and Art
• Song Dynasty Painting
• +7 more

Xun Liu is an Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University , specializing in the history of Daoism in Late Imperial and Modern China . Affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences , Liu's research explores the interplay between Daoist temples, local society, and state modernization efforts in Nanyang, central China, from the 17th century to the present. Research Focus: Liu's work bridges Chinese history , religious studies , and urban sociology . Key themes include: Daoist temples as cultural and social institutions Neidan (inner alchemy) practices in urban settings State-religion dynamics during modernization Material culture and female piety in Daoism Recent Publications: His scholarship analyzes Daoism's adaptation to Republican-era Shanghai print culture, Qing military collaborations in Nanyang, and 20th-century spiritual travel narratives. Articles appear in Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies , T’oung Pao , and Late Imperial China . Awards: Recognized with grants from the Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation , ACLS , and CNRS , Liu has held prestigious fellowships at Harvard University and UC Berkeley.

• Chinese History
• Daoism
• Religious History
• +4 more

Chloe Estep is an Assistant Professor of Modern Chinese and Sinophone Literatures at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, affiliated with East Asian Languages and Civilizations. She holds a PhD from Columbia University, an MA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and an AB from Princeton University. PhD, Columbia University MA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor AB, Princeton University Her research interrogates the intersections of classical/modern Chinese poetics, media theory, material culture, and gender/sexuality studies. She explores how traditional artistic forms are reinterpreted in modern contexts, with a particular focus on manuscript culture, calligraphic aesthetics, and translation practices. Recent publications examine scroll painting interpretation, Republican-era adaptations of classical poetry, and the politics of prosody. Her work appears in the Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture and Nan Nü: Men, Women, and Gender in China , with forthcoming contributions in Comparative Literature .

• Modern Chinese Literature
• Sinophone Literatures
• Poetry Studies
• +4 more

Małgorzata K. Citko-DuPlantis is an Assistant Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture at the University of Tennessee’s Department of World Languages and Cultures, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, alongside M.A. and B.A. degrees from Polish institutions (Collegium Civitas and University of Warsaw). Her research interrogates the instability of premodern knowledge systems, focusing on the Man’yōshū’s evolving cultural significance across medieval and modern eras. She challenges the canonical fixation on a single manuscript of this foundational poetry collection, arguing its role as a malleable cultural construct. Her work spans interdisciplinary areas including digital humanities, medieval Japanese poetry reception, and contemporary pop-media depictions of premodern Japan. Citko-DuPlantis has authored/co-authored monographs and peer-reviewed articles in English, Polish, and Japanese, with notable works like Clashes of Dragons and Dragonflies (2012) and her forthcoming monograph Embracing Instability: Imagining “Man’yoshū” in Medieval and Modern Japan . She has been awarded grants from the Japan Foundation, Fulbright, and MEXT, and has presented at major conferences such as the Association for Asian Studies and MLA. Her research awards reflect sustained scholarly impact, complemented by multilingual competence in languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Citko-DuPlantis actively engages with both academic and public spheres, bridging historical textual analysis with modern cultural phenomena.

• Japanese Literature and Culture
• Premodern Cultural Studies
• Digital Humanities
• +4 more

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)

• Transnational and Global History
• Refugees and Migrant Diasporas
• History of the Habsburg Empire
• +3 more

Donald S. Lopez Jr. is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist & Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia (1982). His research focuses on Indian Mahayana Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and the European intellectual encounter with Buddhism. He is affiliated with multiple centers, including the Center for Chinese Studies, Center for South Asian Studies, and the Nam Center for Korean Studies. His work bridges historical scholarship and contemporary debates, such as the compatibility of Buddhism with modern science. Recent projects include translations of Tibetan and Jesuit texts, studies of the Lotus Sutra's influence, and collaborative research on medieval Christian-Buddhist narratives like Barlaam and Josaphat . Recipient of distinguished professorships, Lopez advises graduate students in Tibetan Buddhist studies and has authored seminal works such as The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography (2011) and Buddhism and Science: A Guide for the Perplexed (2008). His interdisciplinary approach reflects engagement with global religious history and textual analysis.

• Buddhism
• Tibetan Buddhism
• Indian Mahayana Buddhism
• +4 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

Liansu Meng is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, specializing in Chinese literary studies with a focus on modern and contemporary cultural production. Her academic profile integrates literary analysis with gender theory, transnational frameworks, and digital methodologies to examine Chinese cultural dynamics. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2010) Dr. Meng's research traverses interdisciplinary terrain, investigating how gender politics manifests in Chinese literary traditions while exploring feminist discourse evolution within cultural contexts. She examines Daoist philosophical principles through eco-poetic lenses, analyzes transnational circulation of Chinese literary works, and applies digital humanities tools to comparative poetic analysis. Her scholarship bridges classical Chinese thought with contemporary sociopolitical issues, particularly regarding feminist movements and ecological consciousness in literary expression. Information regarding scientific awards, student advising, grant funding, laboratory affiliations, or team leadership was not documented in the source material.

• Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature and Culture
• Chinese Poetry
• Gender Politics and Literature
• +5 more

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.

• Comparative Philosophy
• Chinese Philosophy
• Daoism
• +13 more

James A. Millward is a Professor of Inter-societal History at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of History. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Stanford University (1993), an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London, 1985), and a BA in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard (1983). Millward specializes in Qing imperial history, the Silk Road, Xinjiang studies, and cross-cultural musical exchanges across Eurasia. Research Interests: His work critically examines Sinicization narratives, the Qing tribute system, and the impact of colonial historiography on contemporary China's ethnic policies. He also explores musical instrument diffusion along the Silk Road, comparing lutes like the pipa and oud. Publications: Notable works include Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang (2007, 2021), The Silk Road: A Very Short Introduction (2013), and chapters in edited volumes analyzing Qing multiculturalism and cultural assimilation frameworks. Academic Leadership: As former president of the Central Eurasian Studies Society (2010) and contributor to the International Studies Association award-winning Culture and Order in World Politics (2019), Millward bridges historical analysis with modern political discourse. Media Engagement: A frequent contributor to The New York Times , Washington Post , and international media, he provides expert commentary on Xinjiang, Uyghur issues, and China-West relations. His current projects include a study of lute cultural exchange and the book Decolonizing History in China , challenging exceptionalist narratives in mainland historiography.

• Qing Empire
• Silk Road
• Eurasian Lutes and Music
• +6 more

Lucas Klein is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University within the School of International Letters and Cultures . His research focuses on Chinese literature, translation studies, and the intersection of classical and modern poetics. He holds a PhD from Yale University (2010) and a BA from Middlebury College (2000). Research Interests: Modern/prehistorical Chinese literature, poetry translation theory, meta-sinology, labor/environmental writing, and kung-fu cinema. Active in editorial roles for the Hsu-Tang Library of Classical Chinese Literature , Bloomsbury Handbook of Modern Chinese Literature in Translation , and Cha: An Asian Literary Journal . Awards: 2019 PEN/Heim Grant, 2013 Lucien Stryk Prize, and 2013 Best Translated Book Award shortlist. His work emphasizes translational poetics and the global positioning of Chinese literature. Teaching: Offers courses on Chinese literature, translation theory, and cultural studies, including East Asian Humanities and Modern Poetry Translation . Supervises graduate research across disciplines. Publications: Authored The Organization of Distance (2018), co-edited volumes on Chinese poetry translation, and translated works by Mang Ke, Li Shangyin, and Xi Chuan. Maintains active research on transnational literary networks and Sinophone studies.

• Chinese Literature
• Translation Studies
• Poetry Translation
• +7 more

Jiayan Sun serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Chair for Performance Activities at Smith College. A highly acclaimed pianist, he has performed with prestigious orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, and the Chinese National Symphony Orchestra. His research interests focus on classical music performance, particularly piano repertoire from the Classical and Romantic periods. Sun specializes in the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schubert, as evidenced by his extensive performance series including 'A Beethoven Cycle,' 'Schubertiade,' and 'The Timeless Genius of Chopin.' His approach integrates historical performance practice with modern interpretive techniques, particularly in his exploration of early keyboard instruments. Sun's performance catalog reveals a strong focus on complete cycles of major composers' works, demonstrating both technical mastery and deep musical understanding. His repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary works, with particular emphasis on German and Austrian classical traditions as well as Romantic-era compositions. Third prize at Leeds International Piano Competition Second prize at Dublin International Piano Competition Fourth prize and audience prize at Cleveland International Piano Competition First prize at CCC Toronto International Piano Competition Sun maintains an active performance schedule both as a soloist and chamber musician, frequently collaborating with other faculty members. His work extends beyond performance to include educational initiatives, such as his presentation of Beethoven's complete piano sonatas in chronological order at Smith College. He has also demonstrated commitment to community engagement through benefit concerts, including one supporting people fighting the coronavirus in Hubei Province, China.

• Classical Music Performance
• Piano Performance
• Historical Performance Practice
• +3 more

Peter Zarrow is a Professor at the University of Connecticut specializing in Modern China, heritage studies, and conceptual history and global circulation of ideas. His academic career spans multiple continents, having taught at Vanderbilt University, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and served as a research fellow and deputy director at the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan from 2001 to 2013. Zarrow earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in Chinese history after completing undergraduate studies that included time at UConn and a year in Taiwan. Before pursuing academia, he worked as a newspaper reporter in Willimantic and in the early computer publishing industry in San Francisco and New York. Professor Zarrow's research focuses on modern Chinese intellectual and cultural history, with particular attention to the global circulation of ideas and conceptual transformations. His current projects explore national heritage in China and Japan, focusing on the Forbidden City and Meiji Shrine, as well as collaborating with Prof.-Dr. Thomas Fröhlich of Hamburg University on 'key texts' of modern Chinese political thought. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary theoretical frameworks to understand how concepts travel across cultural boundaries and transform in new contexts. He has made significant contributions to understanding the intellectual foundations of modern China, particularly regarding political thought, educational reform, and cultural transformation during the late Qing and Republican periods. Zarrow's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intellectual foundations of modern China, with particular attention to political thought, educational reform, and cultural transformation during the late Qing and Republican periods. His publications reveal an interdisciplinary approach that combines intellectual history, cultural studies, and political theory to examine how China engaged with global ideas while developing its own modern identity. His recent work has increasingly focused on utopian thought, heritage studies, and the conceptual transformation of the Chinese state. Among his notable recognitions are: Dr. Hu Shih Memorial Chair, Academia Sinica University of Sydney China Distinguished Fellowship Fellowship at the Humanities Institute at UConn He has also held visiting positions at prestigious institutions worldwide including École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris, East China Normal University in Shanghai, International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto, British Academy and London School of Economics, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Throughout his career, Zarrow has maintained an active research agenda supported by various fellowships and institutional affiliations. His international collaborations reflect the global significance of his work on Chinese intellectual history and its connections to broader theoretical questions about modernity, heritage, and conceptual change. His current research on national heritage sites demonstrates his ability to connect historical scholarship with contemporary cultural and political issues.

• Modern Chinese History
• Heritage Studies
• Conceptual History
• +5 more

Wing Shan Ho is an Assistant Professor of Chinese and Coordinator of the Asian Languages and Cultures Major at Montclair State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She specializes in Chinese film and media, gender studies, and cultural analysis, with a focus on post-1989 China. Research Interests include: Chinese cinema and television criticism Negotiation of state control in media Gender and family dynamics in popular culture Political ideology in Chinese blockbusters Selected Publications span analyses of Chinese reality TV, affective labor in media, and intersections of politics and gender. Her book Screening Post-1989 China examines representational control in Chinese media.

• Chinese Film and Media
• Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature
• Gender Studies
• +3 more