معرفی
Dr. Tim Thurston is Associate Professor in the Study of Contemporary China at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds, where he conducts interdisciplinary research on oral traditions, ethnicity, and cultural heritage in Western China, with a focus on Tibetan communities.
His research interests include:
- Chinese and Tibetan oral traditions
- Folkloristics and popular culture
- Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Ethnicity and language in contemporary China
- Digital and sustainable heritage methodologies
Dr. Thurston's scholarly work explores the evolution of Tibetan verbal arts, satire, and comedy in modernizing Amdo, as well as broader questions of cultural identity and state policy. As Principal Investigator of the Sustainable Heritage Initiative, he leads a research team developing community-driven and technology-enhanced approaches to preserving endangered traditions. Though current fellowship duties limit his formal teaching, he actively supervises postgraduate researchers.
His research outputs reflect strong engagement with folklore, ethnography, and East Asian studies, particularly through interdisciplinary lenses combining digital cultures, endangered languages, and indigenous knowledge systems.
Notable recognition includes:
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
Dr. Thurston advises PhD students and collaborates across research groups including East Asian Studies, Digital Cultures, and the Centre for Endangered Languages, Cultures and Ecosystems. He co-hosts the New Books in Folklore and New Books in East Asian Studies podcasts, contributing to public scholarship. His research projects include Heritage with and without the State and Laughter from the Grassland: Humour and Comedy in Amdo Tibet.
He leads the Sustainable Heritage Initiative, a collaborative effort employing digital tools and participatory research to assess and safeguard minoritized cultural traditions globally, with fieldwork focused on Western China.
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