Royston Lin 林進勇

Royston Lin 林進勇 serves as an Academic Assistant (Researcher) at the Department of History, Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany, concurrently pursuing his Doctoral studies in Modern History since August 2021. His doctoral research investigates the introduction of Catholic saints' veneration by Jesuit missionaries in China from the 16th to 18th centuries, analyzing five key dimensions including religious landscape, doctrinal communication, and Chinese reception.

His educational background includes:

• Doctoral Candidate in Modern History, Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg (2021–present)
• MA in History (Early Modern Period), Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg (2017–2019)
• Exchange Semester, Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg (2011)
• BA (Honours) in History, National University of Singapore (2009–2013)

Lin's research critically examines how Jesuit missionaries navigated Chinese religious frameworks to introduce saint veneration, emphasizing cross-cultural negotiation of Christian virtues and devotional practices within late imperial Chinese society. His work bridges religious history, cultural anthropology, and East Asian studies to explore identity adaptation in colonial contexts.

His recent publications demonstrate a cohesive focus on Sino-Western religious exchange, particularly Catholic missions in China, with interdisciplinary engagement across global history, ritual studies, and Qing governance. The 2024 journal article on Giulio Aleni and 2023 book reviews reflect methodological rigor in analyzing primary texts and historical policies.

Scientific awards and fellowships:

• Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship Program for Foreign Students (2017–2019)
• NUS Study Abroad Exchange Scholarship (2011–2012)

As a doctoral candidate, Lin has not supervised students. His research is supported by competitive fellowships, reflecting academic merit in East Asian religious history. He contributes to the Professorship for East Asian History under Prof. Dr. Sabine Dabringhaus, participating in colloquia like the Balzan-FRIAS Masterclass in Global History (2023) and Rome-based seminars on religious archives (2022), fostering collaborative scholarship in global Catholicism.