Stephanie Balkwill

Stephanie Balkwill is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian Languages & Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her academic focus centers on the intersection of Buddhism, gender, and political power in early medieval China, specifically examining the period between the 4th and 6th centuries.

Dr. Balkwill's research investigates whether Buddhist affiliation provided new social and educational opportunities for women during this historical period and argues that women were influential in the early spread of Buddhist traditions throughout East Asia. She is currently pursuing two major research projects: the first examines the political lives of Buddhist women in the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534 CE), identifying it as the earliest known case study of women, Buddhism, and political power in medieval East Asia; the second studies female-to-male sex transformation narratives in Mahāyāna Buddhist texts within the context of gendered Buddhist practice. Her work challenges traditional narratives about women's roles in religious history and highlights the complex interplay between gender, religion, and power in premodern East Asia.

Dr. Balkwill's scholarly contributions span Buddhist studies, gender studies, and Chinese history, with numerous publications focusing on Buddhist women, textual analysis, and the intersection of religion and political power. Her research demonstrates how Buddhist women navigated religious institutions and political structures in early medieval China, revealing their significant contributions to both religious development and political affairs. She is actively engaged in public scholarship, contributing to broader conversations about Buddhism's relevance to contemporary issues through various media and platforms.

As co-Director of the Buddhist Bodies Collective, Dr. Balkwill curates and publishes new Open Access, body-centered resources for teaching Buddhism at the introductory level and across the humanities. Her commitment to open access scholarship is evident in her numerous publications through this medium, making her research accessible to a wider audience beyond academic circles. She is also working on a book-length study of Northern Wei Empress Dowager Ling titled 'Numinous Under Heaven: The Rise and Fall of a Female, Buddhist Regent in 6th Century Luoyang,' scheduled for Open Access publication.