Prof. Dr. Barbara Mittler is Professor of Sinology at Heidelberg University and founding co-director of the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies (CATS) and the Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context.' Her research explores Chinese cultural policy, print media, musicology, visual culture, and transcultural studies. Mittler's scholarly contributions include groundbreaking work on Cultural Revolution culture, early Chinese print media (particularly women's magazines), and the transcultural flows of cultural production. Her current projects examine Mao as a global icon and comparative studies of Asian 'fathers of the nation.' Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on cultural transmission mechanisms, with recent research developing transcultural frameworks for understanding cultural exchange and historical analysis. Publications reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining visual analysis, media studies, and historical methodology. Mittler has received numerous honors including the Fairbank Prize, Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Prize, and memberships in the Leopoldina and Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. She leads major initiatives like the China-Schul-Akademie developing educational materials about China for German schools.
Ksana Blank is a Senior Lecturer at Princeton University’s Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. She coordinates the Russian Language Program and directs the Princeton-in-Petersburg Program, fostering academic exchange and interdisciplinary research. With a PhD in Russian Literature (Columbia University, 1997) and a BA in French Philology (St. Petersburg State University, 1979), her academic career spans over two decades at Princeton, preceded by teaching roles at Hunter College and Middlebury College Russian Summer School. Education: PhD, Russian Literature, Columbia University (1997) BA, French Philology, St. Petersburg State University (1979) Her research centers on Russian literature, emphasizing stylistic analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music, visual arts, folklore, and religious philosophy. Notable works include studies on Dostoevsky’s dialectics, Gogol’s The Nose , and the interplay between Russian modernism and Western art movements. She has authored multiple books and articles, many translated into Russian, and has published in academic journals across Russia, Europe, and China. Recent publications explore Dostoevsky’s paradoxes, Gogol’s linguistic innovation, and the intersection of Russian literature with music (Shostakovich), art (Malevich), and philosophy. Her 2023 book Парадоксы классики expands traditional interpretations of classic works through interdisciplinary lenses, while her 2021 The Nose guide deciphers Gogol’s wordplay and its narrative function. Earlier works address Tolstoy’s spiritual crisis and Bakhtinian dialogism in Russian literary theory. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to pedagogy include advanced Russian language courses and graduate-level Tolstoy studies. She currently works on Leo Tolstoy’s The Prisoner of the Caucasus and teaches courses on Russian literature, spirituality, and translation.
Daniel Medin serves as Professor at The American University of Paris within the Department of Comparative Literature and English History and Politics, joining the faculty in January 2010 after teaching positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Free University Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD, Washington University in St. Louis MA, Washington University in St. Louis BA, University of Connecticut Professor Medin's research centers on contemporary international fiction and the global reception of Franz Kafka , with significant contributions to Central European literary studies. His scholarly focus extends to autobiographical writing , editorial practices for translated fiction , and small prose forms , consistently examining cross-cultural literary exchange through interdisciplinary lenses that bridge literature, history, and translation theory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced trajectory toward edited volumes spotlighting global literary voices across European, Asian, and Latin American traditions. His work demonstrates sustained engagement with translation as cultural mediation and Kafka's enduring legacy in contemporary writing, frequently connecting literary analysis with musical composition through collaborations with composers and musicians. His distinguished recognition includes: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship As director of the Center for Writers and Translators and editor of the Cahiers Series, Professor Medin cultivates transnational literary networks through institutional leadership rather than traditional grant-funded research. His extensive involvement with literary prizes—including the International Booker Prize and European Union Prize for Literature—complements his editorial work at publications like Music & Literature and Schreibheft. He actively shapes contemporary discourse through the Center for Writers and Translators, organizing events that connect authors, translators, and scholars across linguistic boundaries. His recent festival appearances at Cheltenham, Bergen, and Dublin highlight ongoing commitment to examining Kafka's relevance and fostering dialogue about global literary trends.
Yi Ren is a Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on modern Chinese history, particularly the dynamics of Chinese Communist propaganda in rural areas during the Mao era (1949–1978). He examines grassroots propagandists like opera actors, rural activists, and child propagandists, highlighting their roles in shaping rural socio-political landscapes. His work integrates archival materials and oral histories to challenge conventional narratives of state control. Education: M.A. in American History (Sino-American Relations), Peking University, 2014 B.A. in History, Sichuan University, 2011 Research Interests: Yi Ren’s work spans modern China, Chinese propaganda mechanisms, and global historical contexts like China’s involvement in WWI. He explores how grassroots agency and localized interactions influenced national policies, emphasizing the interplay between state institutions and rural populations. Publications & Trends: While his early work centered on historical analysis, recent articles (2019–2025) pivot to mental health stigma in China, focusing on caregivers, healthcare providers, and rural communities. Studies emphasize contact-based interventions and systemic challenges in addressing mental health disparities. Awards: None explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Advising & Grants: No advising students or grants listed. His current project includes translating William H. McNeill’s The Global Condition for Peking University Press (expected 2022). Labs/Teams: No lab affiliations or team details provided.
He Chengzhou is a full Professor of English, Drama, and Comparative Literature, and currently serves as Dean of the School of Arts at Nanjing University. He holds a Doctor of Arts from Oslo University, following B.A. and M.A. degrees from Nanjing Normal University. His academic leadership roles include Chinese Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies (2013-2017), President of Jiangsu Comparative Literature Association (2016-present), and former Chairman of the International Ibsen Committee (2010-2012). Research focuses on Henrik Ibsen, Scandinavian literatures, intercultural theatre, and comparative drama. Key works include (2004) and (2009). He has been honored with the Ibsen Medal (2002) and the prestigious Changjiang Distinguished Professor title (2015). Professional contributions include directing the Chinese-Nordic Cultural Centre and European Studies Centre at Nanjing University. His academic trajectory spans over three decades, with influential publications in intercultural performance, gender studies, and environmental literary analysis.
Panpan Yang is a Lecturer in Arts and Visual Cultures of Modern China at the School of Arts, SOAS University of London. She joined SOAS in 2021 after completing her joint PhD at the University of Chicago under the direction of Wu Hung, Tom Gunning, W. J. T. Mitchell, Judith Zeitlin, and Dana Polan. Her interdisciplinary work bridges art history, screen studies, East Asian studies, and digital humanities, with a focus on innovative methodologies in art historical writing. Dr. Yang earned a dual BA from Peking University, double majoring in art and philosophy, followed by an MA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and a PhD from the University of Chicago. During her undergraduate studies, she served as president of the Society of Dream of the Red Chamber Studies, which informed her secondary academic interest in Redology and the visual material world of the novel Hong lou meng. Panpan Yang's research explores how minor discourses can deterritorialize the terrains of both art history and screen studies. Her work demonstrates a multimethodological approach attentive to archival research, material practices, close visual analysis, computer-aided vision, and cross-cultural theorization. She is particularly interested in Chinese animation history, calligraphic imagination in contemporary art, and the intersections between traditional Chinese art forms and new media. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on Chinese visual culture across multiple media forms, with particular attention to animation, film, and calligraphy. Yang's work demonstrates how traditional Chinese art forms engage with contemporary digital media, creating new hybrid forms that challenge disciplinary boundaries. Her research shows a trajectory from historical analysis of Chinese animation to contemporary explorations of calligraphy in digital contexts, revealing the ongoing relevance of traditional Chinese aesthetics in modern media. Dr. Yang has received several prestigious awards for her scholarly and creative work: China's National Young Screenwriter Award Domitor Essay Award Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award Nomination Honourable Mention from the Association for Chinese Animation Studies As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Yang leads the AHRC-funded research project "Stroke by Stroke: Calligraphic imagination in contemporary Chinese art and emergent media" (2023-25) with Shane McCausland. She was also a collaborating partner on the NEH-funded "Media Ecology Project." Her research has received additional support from the Getty Foundation and the Sino-British Fellowship Trust. At SOAS, she works closely with faculty and graduate students interested in Chinese arts and cultures, art theory, cinematic arts, and digital art history. Dr. Yang is currently developing innovative research at the intersection of traditional Chinese calligraphy and contemporary digital media through her AHRC-funded project. This work explores how calligraphic imagination manifests in contemporary art and emergent media contexts, creating new pathways for understanding Chinese cultural heritage in the digital age.
Sheldon Lu is a Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis. He holds affiliations with East Asian Studies, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, Film and Media Studies, Critical Theory, and Environmental Humanities. His academic career includes roles as Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature, Director of the Graduate Program in Comparative Literature, and Founding Co-Director of the Film Studies Program. Lu has taught at institutions including the University of Pittsburgh and Beijing Normal University, and served as a Fulbright scholar in Ukraine (2004-2005). Education: B.A. (1984) and Ph.D. (1990) in Comparative Literature from Indiana University and University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively. His research bridges literary studies, visual culture, film, and China studies. Key publications include Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Visual Culture (2021, BAFTSS Honorable Mention) and Chinese Modernity and Global Biopolitics (2007). He edited the Critical Interventions book series (2009-2019). Lu's work has appeared in journals like New Literary History , Journal of World Literature , and Cinema Journal . Awards include the 2005 Choice Award for Chinese-Language Film: Historiography, Poetics, Politics . He has organized special journal issues on topics ranging from ecocinema to transnational Chinese cinemas. Teaching focuses on Asian literature, film studies, critical theory, and urban culture. Notable courses include World Cinema and East-West Literary Relations .
Prof. Rossella Ferrari holds a professorship in Chinese Studies at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Vienna. Her research explores performance cultures across the Chinese-speaking world, with a focus on avant-garde theatre, transnational networks, and postsocialist transformations. Key contributions include the concept of 'pop avant-garde' and 'Xiqu 2.0,' examining how classical performance interacts with digital media. She co-edited Asian City Crossings (2021) and authored Transnational Chinese Theatres (2020). Current projects investigate 'performing postsocialism' and intercultural collaborations. Her work bridges disciplines like architecture, visual arts, and film, emphasizing methodologies rooted in Asian perspectives to challenge Eurocentric paradigms. Recent studies analyze pandemic impacts on transnational theatre networks and the role of cities as analytical frameworks. Collaborations with groups like Hong Kong's Zuni Icosahedron highlight her focus on boundary-crossing performance practices. Publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles addressing topics such as Brechtian influences in China, intertextuality in global performance, and avant-garde adaptations of classical works like Mudan Ting . Her research underscores the socio-political dimensions of artistic expression in East Asia, particularly in contested historical contexts.
Paize Keulemans is an Associate Professor of Chinese Literature at Princeton University's Department of East Asian Studies. His research focuses on the interplay between oral and written literary traditions in Chinese literature, particularly exploring acoustic dimensions in 19th-century martial arts fiction and the role of gossip and rumor in 17th-century texts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2004) and a B.A. from Leiden University (Netherlands). His work bridges literary analysis with cultural studies, examining topics like Dutch-Chinese interactions since the 17th century and the adaptation of classical texts like The Three Kingdoms into modern media such as video games. Education: Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature, Leiden University Research Interests: Acoustic imagination in printed novels Rumor dynamics in late-Ming literature Cultural exchanges between the Netherlands and China Modern adaptations of classical Chinese narratives Publications highlight his exploration of Ming-Qing transition narratives through Dutch tragic plays and the sonic dimensions of martial arts fiction. Current projects include analyzing video game adaptations of classical texts and the role of 'idleness' in literary production.
S. Louisa Wei is a Professor of Cinematic Art at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong, where she has taught since 2001. With a PhD in Film Studies from the University of Alberta and an MA in Comparative Literature from Carleton University, she has taught over 4,000 students in both theoretical and production courses including Documentary 1, Documentary 2, Visual Storytelling, Visualizing Literature, and Chinese Cinema. Her educational background includes: PhD in Film Studies, University of Alberta, Canada MA in Comparative Literature, Carleton University, Canada Wei's research focuses on Sinophone cinema with particular emphasis on women filmmakers across historical periods, Chinese film history, and documentary practice. Her work often explores the intersections of gender, politics, and cultural identity in Chinese cinema, with special attention to neglected historical figures and transnational connections. She approaches film history through both scholarly research and documentary filmmaking, creating a unique methodology that bridges academic and creative practices. Her research has significantly contributed to recovering the histories of early Chinese women filmmakers and documenting politically sensitive historical narratives in Chinese literary and film history. Her recent scholarly and creative output shows a consistent focus on biographical documentary work centered on Chinese intellectuals and artists, women's contributions to cinema history, and politically significant moments in Chinese cultural history. Her publications and films often work in dialogue with each other, with documentary projects frequently informing scholarly books and vice versa, creating a rich interdisciplinary approach to her subject matter. Her notable awards include: Hong Kong Book Award 2017 for Esther Eng: Ocean-crossing Film and Women Pioneers Distinguished Publishing Prize in the Literature and Fiction Category of The First Hong Kong Biennial Publishing Prize for Wang Shiwei: A Reform in Thinking As an educator, Wei has advised hundreds of student projects, many of which have won awards in international and local film festivals. She is not currently accepting PhD students but has been instrumental in mentoring emerging filmmakers through her teaching. Her documentary work has gained international recognition from both academic circles and film festivals, attracting media attention from Hollywood trade magazines to major newspapers in Hong Kong and mainland China. She has served as a professional jury member for the Hong Kong Film Awards and became a member of the Hong Kong Director's Guild in 2018. While she doesn't appear to lead a formal research lab, her work involves extensive collaboration with historians, archivists, and fellow filmmakers across multiple countries, creating an informal network of scholars and practitioners focused on recovering marginalized histories in Chinese cinema and literature.
Prof. Nicola Jürgensen is a distinguished German clarinetist and Professor of Clarinet at Faculty 1 of Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany. She also serves as Dean of Faculty 1 and is a Confidential Lecturer for the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. Her career seamlessly integrates performance, education, and artistic leadership. She is the Artistic Director of WDR 3 Campus Concerts and a board member of the Folkwang University Foundation. Professor of Clarinet, Folkwang University of the Arts (2018–present) Dean, Faculty 1 Artistic Director, WDR 3 Campus Concerts Board of Directors, Folkwang University Foundation Principal Clarinet (former), WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (2001–2018) Regular coach, German National Youth Orchestra (2020–present) Nicola Jürgensen's research and artistic interests center on clarinet performance, chamber music, and contemporary repertoire. She is deeply committed to historical performance practice, evidenced by her recordings on basset clarinet, and to expanding the global reach of classical music through international masterclasses and festivals. Her work bridges traditional European repertoire and modern experimental works, including performances in avant-garde operatic productions. She has collaborated with leading orchestras and ensembles worldwide, from Berlin and Leipzig to New York, Bangkok, and Auckland. Her recent artistic output reveals a strong focus on rediscovered works (e.g., Wilms' concerto), contemporary compositions (e.g., Kancheli, Zwilich), and cross-cultural collaborations (e.g., German Masters Music Festival in Thailand). She emphasizes pedagogical innovation and performance excellence, mentoring students who now hold principal roles in Germany’s top orchestras. Her recordings and performances consistently highlight expressive depth, technical mastery, and scholarly engagement with historical instruments and arrangements. Scientific and Artistic Awards: Mozart Prize, Wiesbaden Mozart Society German Music Competition Soloists' Prize (1999) Germany Radio Promotion Prize (2002) Nicola Jürgensen has been instrumental in guiding numerous students into prestigious orchestral positions and leads the ensemble 'Folkwang Clarinets' with her students. She holds multiple leadership roles in academic and artistic institutions and continues to perform as a guest principal clarinetist with major orchestras like the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. Her involvement in grants and funding appears indirect through institutional roles and festival organization. She is actively involved with several artistic initiatives, including the 'Spannungen' festival, WDR 3 Campus Concerts, and international masterclass programs. Her ensemble collaborations and educational outreach reflect a sustained commitment to excellence, innovation, and accessibility in classical music.
Wing Chung Ng is Professor and Department Chair in the History Department at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. A cultural and social historian specializing in Chinese migration and traditional Chinese opera, he teaches courses on Chinese and Japanese history as well as the Chinese diaspora. Dr. Ng's research focuses on Modern China, East Asia, and Migration History, with particular expertise in Chinese diaspora communities and Cantonese opera preservation. His scholarly work examines how Chinese communities maintain cultural identity while adapting to new environments across the Pacific, analyzing the interplay between traditional cultural practices and modern social transformations. His publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining Chinese cultural transmission across borders. Recent works include analyses of Kunqu opera in the 21st century and historical soundscapes of Sino-Western encounters, building on his foundational research on Cantonese opera and Chinese communities in North America. His interdisciplinary approach spans cultural history, migration studies, and Asian American studies. Dr. Ng has received significant scholarly recognition: Fulbright Scholar (2012) from the United States Department of State Faculty Research Award (2004) from the National Endowment for the Humanities National Humanities Center Fellow (1996) His research has been supported by substantial grants including $5,000 for 'Connecting Worlds: Master Wong Toa's Trans-Pacific Life and Career 1914-2015' (2020-2021) and $40,000 for 'Local Theater, Transnational Arena: A New Social History of Cantonese Opera, 1860-1945' (2004-2005). He was previously a Commonwealth Scholar at UBC and has received support from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation and NEH. Most recently, he served as a Fulbright Scholar at Hong Kong Baptist University. Currently, Dr. Ng is working on a centennial biography of Master Wong Toa (1914-2015) to study his life and music across early 20th century South China, Cold War Hong Kong, post-exclusion era Chinatown Vancouver, multicultural Canada, and the age of China's rise.
Prof. Dr. Florian Freitag is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) since 2019, specializing in Transnational American Studies, Canadian Studies, and Theme Park Studies. His academic journey includes a PhD in North American literatures from the University of Constance (Germany) in 2011, followed by postdoctoral research at the Obama Institute, JGU Mainz. His educational background includes: 1998-2005: Student of English and French, University of Konstanz, Germany 2002-2003: Exchange student, Department of American Studies, Yale University 2006-2011: Doctoral Student, Department of Literature, University of Konstanz 2009: Visiting Scholar, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada 2015-2016: Visiting Scholar, CityTech (CUNY), New York, USA Freitag's research interests span Transnational American Studies, Canadian Studies, Popular Culture, Theme Park Studies, Periodical Studies, Performance Studies, and Hurricane Katrina studies. His work explores the intersections of cultural representation, spatial theory, and transnational flows, with particular attention to how American culture travels and transforms in global contexts. He has made significant contributions to understanding theme parks as cultural spaces that negotiate national identity, transnational influences, and historical narratives through spatial design, narrative construction, and visitor experience. His publications reveal a strong focus on how themed spaces mediate cultural understanding across national boundaries. His scholarship demonstrates how popular culture forms like theme parks serve as important arenas for cultural work that often goes unrecognized in more traditional academic contexts. His work examines the political dimensions of themed environments, the adaptation of classical mythology in global theme parks, and how cities like New Orleans are represented across different media forms. Among his notable scientific contributions are his books The Farm Novel in North America: Genre and Nation in the United States, English Canada, and French Canada, 1845-1945 (Camden House 2013), Popular New Orleans: The Crescent City in Periodicals, Theme Parks, and Opera, 1875-2015 (Routledge 2021), and Key Concepts in Theme Park Studies: Understanding Tourism and Leisure Spaces (Springer 2023), which established him as a leading scholar in interdisciplinary theme park studies. Freitag has also been active in academic service, including co-editing special issues and volumes on intersectionality, Chinese theme parks, and transnational approaches to North American regionalism. His work demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that bridge literary studies, cultural geography, and media studies, with significant contributions to understanding cultural representation in themed environments.
Yuhang Li is an Associate Professor of Chinese Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Art History. She serves as Affiliate of the Religious Studies Program, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, and Center for East Asian Studies, and holds the role of Faculty Director of Material Culture at the Center for Design and Material Culture. Her education includes a B.A. from Central Academy of Fine Arts (Beijing, 1991), M.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001), and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2011). Her research focuses on gender and material practice in late imperial China, particularly Buddhist women’s artistic devotions, Chinese textiles and costume, opera’s role in visual culture, and Qing court art. Her book Becoming Guanyin (2020) won major academic awards. She co-edited Performing Images: Opera in Chinese Visual Culture (2014) and contributed to special issues on Empress Dowager Cixi. Teaching includes courses on Asian art surveys, Chinese art history, material culture, and gender studies. Her work bridges art history with religious studies, exploring how material practices reflect gendered identities and religious belief. Awards include the 2021 Religion and the Arts Book Award and the 2024 Geiss-Hsu Book Prize. Her research frequently examines the intersection of ephemeral mediums (e.g., paper, hair embroidery) with enduring cultural and religious themes.
Liang Luo is a Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Kentucky’s Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures department within the College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University’s East Asian Languages and Civilizations program, preceded by MA and BA degrees in Chinese literature and comparative literature from Beijing Normal University. Luo’s research focuses on intersections of performance, politics, and popular culture in modern China, Japan, and the international avant-garde. His work explores Sino-Japanese cultural relations, gender politics, and folklore, particularly through the lens of the White Snake legend. Education: Ph.D., East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University M.A., Comparative Literature, Beijing Normal University B.A., Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing Normal University Research Interests: Performance studies, propaganda, and avant-garde movements Cultural politics of gender and intersectionality Multimedia adaptations of classical legends East Asian comparative literature and film Awards and Recognition: Harvard-Yenching Doctoral Fellowship Reischauer Institute Fellowship NEH Summer Stipend (Stanford University) Harvard’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching Professional Affiliations: International Studies Chinese Studies Folklore & Mythology Gender and Women’s Studies Global Asias Luo’s publications include The Global White Snake (2021) and The Avant-Garde and the Popular in Modern China (2014), analyzing intersections of cultural politics and performance. His work bridges classical and modern studies, with recent projects exploring digital activism through folklore and transnational cultural narratives.
