My teaching is anchored on 3 values: big ideas, analytic rigor, and empathy. I hope to inspire students to be curious about big questions, to evaluate claims critically, and to care about the lived experiences of people in near and faraway places.
Courses
China and the World (JHU, Undergraduate)
Research Methods & Perspectives in China Studies (JHU, Graduate)
China’s Rising Global Role
State & Market in Contemporary China
The State and Innovation in Emerging Markets
PhD Seminar on Chinese Politics & Political Economy
Qualitative and Mixed-Methods
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By undergraduate students in my class, "China's Rising Global Role"
BLOGS
“The Power of a Flashback,” by Melanie Beal
Information is supposed to empower individuals to make their own educated decisions… Instead, more information has come to mean more manipulation.
“Bridging the Gap Between United States and China,” by Brett Bolog
One possible way to ease hostility between the US and China is to compete, not in every area, but based on comparative advantage.
“Pastrami, Wine, and the U.S.-China ‘Problem’,” by Madeleine Gannon
It’s funny, growing up a New Yorker –– You always think you know it all… But then, I started to talk to people. I happened across new faces, new languages, new experiences.
“Stepping into Discomfort,” by Andrew Gerace
As someone from rural Ohio, I was rarely able to meet people from China or with a Chinese background… I had two choices, step into vulnerability, or remain comfortable distancing myself from what was different from me.
“Local Organizing is a Global Remedy to COVID-19,” by Miryea Sturdivant
In a time where US-China tensions are rising, we should not forget that support, community and care are universal concepts that link humans together across the globe.
“COVID-19 and its impact on the world, as well as my Family,” by Xiaolei Wang
I grapple with the question, if US-China relations continue to sour, will it potentially drive a wedge in between Chinese immigrant communities, families and friends on a personal level?
“Bridging the U.S.-China Divide Through Humanization,” by Angie Zhang
I can clearly remember my parents discussing over the dinner table whether it was possible to love China as a country without loving the CCP, which they came to conclude was not possible.
“What is it Like to be a Chinese student in the US during COVID-19?” by Jiaqi Zhang
The U.S. is kicking me out, while getting home to China is so tough. I feel that students like me are being abandoned and thrown around by authorities from all sides.
FACT CHECKERS
“Chinese Coercion and Censorship of Overseas Chinese,” by Rachel Leung
It is important to examine whether or not this claim has merit because its veracity can have severe consequences. If this claim has support, the intimidation and silencing of American citizens constitutes… a violation of free speech… being done by a foreign government. However, if this claim is unfounded, it is spreading dangerous misinformation which could be… provoking discrimination against Asian Americans.
“Does China Cheat?,” by Matthew Person
A more thorough analysis of the situation surrounding this simplified statement reveals that, while Chinese companies do offer illegal subsidies, they only do so to certain companies in certain industries. Other Chinese companies succeed due to free market ingenuity.
ONLINE MODULES
“Studying the US-China Military Climate,” by Douglas Hanna
US-China military relations is a topic that holds vast importance in world affairs and the average American may be surprised to find how much tension has already taken place, especially in the past several years.
“Made in China 2025,” by Alayna Nugent
Not only is the initiative controversial for the United States and other foreign firms, but there is also difficulty in carrying it out right in China.
teaching award
Tronstein Award for Outstanding Teaching, University of Michigan (2022)
One of the most wonderful and challenging things about what we teach is that many of our students come in with strong opinions about the topics of our courses. This year’s winner of the Tronstein Award confronts this regularly in her classes. Throughout, she challenges her students to question their assumptions, offers new historical context, and provides local perspectives to encourage rigorous and respectful dialogue.
She has been nominated multiple years and for multiple classes about China and its role in the world. Consistently, her students say that she engages them deeply in "every single one of her lectures." Others remark, “the quality of instruction in this course was phenomenal.” They appreciate how hard she works to humanize her topics and provide an unbiased perspective on the subject matter. Another student says about this challenging 300-level class “I’m only in the first semester of my freshman year, but this class confirms that I will be pursuing a degree in political science.”