Juliette Bourdin

Juliette Bourdin is a lecturer in American civilization at Université Paris 8. She specializes in the history of the American West (Oregon/California trails, Gold Rush, Western genre) and Sino-American relations, including the Chinese diaspora in the U.S. Her research bridges historical analysis with cultural studies, focusing on representation, mobility, and diplomatic dynamics.

Research Interests: Her work examines social organization on overland trails, the role of the American West in national reconciliation after the Civil War, and evolving Sino-American relations since the 19th century. She also analyzes geopolitical tensions, such as the 'New Cold War' framing of US-China relations. Her interdisciplinary approach incorporates primary sources (e.g., emigrant letters, political speeches) and engages with historical narratives through edited works and critical editions.

Key Contributions: Her 2013 book Between Open Door and 'Closed Door' won the Louis Marin Prize. She has authored acclaimed translations of Barack Obama's speeches and edited critical editions like George McKinley Murrell's Letters. Recent articles in Revue historique and International Issues reflect her focus on trust mechanisms among pioneers and modern geopolitical shifts. She frequently lectures on topics like the Donner Party, Chinese exclusion policies, and contemporary US-China dynamics.

Awards: The Louis Marin Prize (2013) from the Academy of Overseas Sciences for her book on US-China policy history.

Grants & Labs: Involved in projects like the Anthropology of Mobility and the TransCrit research unit. Her collaborations include the University of Southern California and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.