Teaching in WGS
The Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies course never fails to bring delightful surprises. Introducing feminist ideas and gender concepts to students with diverse backgrounds and varying presumptions often prompts exhilarating "aha" moments when we first donned the WGS lens to scrutinize ourselves and the world, akin to the discovery of a new realm. The allure of WGS lies in its intimate connection to each individual's daily lives, while simultaneously challenging our perceptions of ourselves, society, and the world. I am also delighted to hear from students who have shared with me that the WGS classroom provides them a safe and inclusive environment to freely express themselves, allowing their voices that may be difficult to articulate or be heard in other settings to be heard and valued.
The interdisciplinary nature of WMNS 101, coupled with its inclusive and diverse topics, creates an environment where students from various backgrounds can truly shine. Students are invited to delve into topics spanning gender, class, race, nationality, politics, culture, history, social movements, welfare policies, law and crime, intimate relationships, reproductive justice, the division of labor within households, and many more. Through exploring various beliefs, practices, debates, and political struggles that directly impact our daily lives, not only do students equip themselves with a fresh perspective to contemplate of these issues that are relevant to both themselves and society, but also the capacity of leading a conscientious life and constructing a more just community.
Research in WGS
As an interdisciplinary feminist scholar, I work primarily at the intersections of transnational feminisms, gender, and new media. Adopting a transnational perspective, I seek to explore the power and potential of feminisms and gender analysis to challenge the foundations of social inequalities and injustices. Through research methods including interviews, archival studies, participant observation, and textual analysis, I investigate how feminist ideas and gender and sexuality concepts are used by different actors in evolving contexts, and relatedly, how activist groups, broadly defined, work within changing sociopolitical conditions to advance their agendas. Underlying all my research is the intellectual commitment to transnational and interdisciplinary perspectives.
WGS Courses
- WMNS-101 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
- WMNS-210 Activism and Feminist Community
Selected Publications
“Women’s Movement in China and East Asia.” With Yan Long, in The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social & Political Movements (2nd edition), edited by David A., Snow, Donatella della Porta, Doug McAdam, and Bert Klandermans. Wiley-Blackwell. 2022.
Awards/Accomplishments
Barbara C. Gray Outstanding Teaching Award