Henry Yu

Henry Yu is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. He serves as Principal of St. John's Graduate College, UBC's international graduate college since 2011, and as Director of the Initiative for Student Teaching and Research in Chinese Canadian Studies (INSTRCC). His academic work focuses on migration, race, colonialism, and public history, with particular emphasis on Asian Canadian history and the concept of "Pacific Canada" that reimagines historical relationships between migrants from Asia, Europe, First Nations peoples, and other parts of the Americas.

Professor Yu received his Ph.D. and MA from Princeton University in 1995 and 1992 respectively, and his BA in History (Honours) in 1989. His academic journey has been marked by a commitment to community-engaged scholarship that bridges academic research with public history and community organizations.

Dr. Yu's research centers on trans-Pacific migration, Asian Canadian and Asian American history, race and immigration, and public history. He has developed the concept of "Pacific Canada" to reframe how we understand Canadian history through transnational connections across the Pacific Ocean. His work explores how migrants from Asia engaged with European settlers and First Nations peoples historically, challenging conventional narratives of Canadian history. He is particularly interested in the cultural and historical legacies of colonialism and how to undo these legacies through community collaboration and public history initiatives. His research often involves digital humanities approaches, as seen in projects like the Chinese Head Tax Digitization Project.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on anti-Asian racism, historical reconciliation, and the reimagining of Canadian history through transnational and diasporic perspectives. The articles reveal a consistent thread of examining how migration, race, and colonialism have shaped Canadian society, with increasing attention to contemporary issues of racism and discrimination. His work bridges historical scholarship with public engagement, often resulting in community-based projects, exhibitions, and policy recommendations.

• Outstanding Achievement in Exhibitions Award, Canadian Museums Association (2022)
• Public History Prize, Canadian Historical Association (2021)
• City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Merit (2019)
• "Trailblazer" recognition by Georgia Straight (2019)
• Multiculturalism Prize, Province of British Columbia (2015)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• "Unsung Hero" Community Service Award (2007)
• Vancouver's "Bright Lights" (2007)
• History News Network, "Top Young Historians" (2005)

Professor Yu has supervised numerous graduate students across various departments including ISGP, SCARP, Geography, Sociology, and Education. His community-engaged approach extends to significant grant-funded projects, including a $1.17 million "Chinese Canadian Stories" project that gathered ignored histories of Chinese Canadians using new media technologies. He has led multiple collaborative initiatives with community organizations, museums, and government bodies, including serving as Co-Chair of the National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism and as Co-Lead for the Centre for Asian Canadian Research Engagement (ACRE).

Professor Yu co-founded several important organizations including the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC (2004), Vancouver Chinatown Foundation (2011), PCHC-MoM (2013), and the Chinese Canadian Museum of BC (2020). His INSTRCC program has facilitated numerous student field courses across Asia and North America, creating transformative learning experiences that connect academic study with community engagement. His work with the City of Vancouver on the Cultural Heritage Asset Management Plan for Chinatown demonstrates his commitment to preserving and reimagining urban cultural heritage landscapes.