Loreta POŠKAITĖ

Loreta Poškaitė is an Associate Professor and senior research fellow at the Lithuanian Culture Research Institute (LCRI) and the Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies at Vilnius University. She has held these dual appointments since 2000, establishing herself as a leading scholar in Chinese philosophy and cross-cultural studies within the Baltic academic community. Her work bridges classical Eastern thought with contemporary Western cultural phenomena, with particular emphasis on aesthetic theory and self-cultivation practices.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Lithuanian Academy of Music (1990): Specialized in music performance of the traditional Lithuanian instrument kanklės
• Lithuanian Culture Research Institute (2000): Earned Ph.D. in Philosophy with dissertation on 'The problem of Individual's Aesthetic being in classical Confucianism and Daoism'

Professor Poškaitė's research explores the dynamic interplay between Chinese traditional aesthetics and global everyday aesthetics, examining how classical Daoist and Confucian concepts inform contemporary life. She investigates the reception of Chinese self-cultivation practices in Western contexts, with special attention to Lithuania as a case study for cultural adaptation. Her work on the human body in Chinese culture reveals how psychosomatic practices like qigong are transformed when transplanted into Western frameworks, challenging conventional mind-body dualisms. This research program demonstrates remarkable continuity from her early focus on classical texts to current investigations of globalization's impact on aesthetic experience.

With over 70 academic publications including one monograph, Professor Poškaitė maintains a robust scholarly output that spans international and Lithuanian academic venues. Her publication trajectory shows increasing engagement with contemporary issues—particularly the globalization of Chinese cultural practices and the emergence of everyday aesthetics as a field—while maintaining deep roots in classical Chinese philosophy. This dual focus creates unique opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, as evidenced by her work appearing in both Western philosophical journals and Chinese studies publications.

Her notable research fellowships include:

• Research Fellowship at Xiamen University (2000-2001)
• Research Fellowship at Beijing University (2002-2003)

Professor Poškaitė actively mentors graduate students at Vilnius University, guiding research that connects classical Chinese philosophy with contemporary cultural analysis. Her international lecturing engagements—including positions at University of Iceland, Tartu University, and Granada University—demonstrate strong collaborative networks across Europe. These connections provide students with exceptional opportunities for cross-border research and academic exchange. While specific current grants aren't detailed, her sustained publication record and editorial board positions indicate successful research funding and academic leadership.

Though no dedicated laboratory is maintained, Professor Poškaitė's research thrives within the collaborative environments of LCRI's Department of Comparative Culturology and Vilnius University's Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies. These institutional homes provide rich interdisciplinary contexts for exploring East-West philosophical dialogues, particularly regarding aesthetics, embodiment, and cultural reception. Students and collaborators benefit from her extensive network of international scholars and her commitment to rigorous comparative methodology that avoids cultural essentialism.