Gregory Ruf

Gregory Ruf is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Asian & Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University, with a joint appointment in Anthropology. He holds roles including inaugural Undergraduate Director in AAS, Faculty Director for a Community Service Learning minor, and Director of China Studies. His research bridges anthropology and history, focusing on rural development, ecology, and social organization in China.

Education:

• B.A. in Political Science (SUNY Cortland)
• PhD in Anthropology (Columbia University)

Research & Teaching: Specializes in China’s rural sociology, environmental history, and cultural diversity. Authored Cadres and Kin: Making a Socialist Village in West China, 1921-1991, and conducts fieldwork on Mekong watershed management. Teaches courses like Society and Civilization in China, Environmental History, and the AAS Proseminar.

Awards:

• SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
• College of Arts & Sciences Godfrey Teaching Excellence Award

Advising & Outreach: Advises Honors students, directs summer study tours in China, and participates in Freshman Seminars. Served as Graduate Program Director in AAS and led interdisciplinary initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in long-term fieldwork collaborations in Yunnan and Sichuan, supported by a Fulbright Research Scholar grant at Yunnan University.