معرفی
Paul McBain is an Assistant Professor at Thammasat University, specializing in religious studies with a focus on Southeast Asian Buddhism and its intersections with literature, film, and landscape. His academic journey spans institutions including the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London), the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his PhD in Religious Studies.
Education:
- BA in Japanese, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
- MA in Divinity, University of Chicago
- PhD in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
His research explores the aesthetics of Buddhism in poetry, narrative, and film, particularly in Thai and Japanese contexts. He is interested in Buddhist modernism, phenomenological approaches to religion, and the interplay between modernity and religious understanding. A central theme in his work is the inscription of Buddhist narratives into physical and cultural landscapes, especially in early Bangkok.
The available publication reflects a strong interdisciplinary approach combining religious studies, literary analysis, and cultural geography, focusing on the 19th-century Thai poet Sunthorn Phu. The work investigates how Buddhist themes are embedded in local landscapes through poetic expression.
Scientific Awards:
Paul McBain has advised no publicly listed students and has not received any named scientific awards in the provided text. He has been involved in education-based NGO work in Southeast Asia and has produced short films on Buddhism, indicating an applied and public-facing dimension to his scholarship. His time at the University of Pennsylvania included training in literary theory and filmmaking, supporting his multimedia research approach.
Labs, Teams, and Collaborative Work: While no formal lab or research team is mentioned, his interdisciplinary background and filmmaking suggest collaborative and field-based research practices, particularly in Thailand where he currently resides.
