Abstract: Based on one of the central chapters of my book manuscript Yellow Peril Revisited: Mutations, Reactions, and Reinventions, this talk focuses on the experiences of the Chinese South African communities during apartheid presented in locally published memoirs. Situating these experiences in the long history of Chinese migration and localization in South Africa dating back to at least the mid-19th century, it organizes them into three analytical categories: everyday encounters of institutional racism, preservation of Chineseness, and associations with other non-white groups. I argue that contrary to the political and psychological struggles of postcolonial trauma that often characterize post-apartheid South African literature, Chinese South African life writing exhibits a kind of pragmatism, with which the material and emotional effects of […]

Abstract: Chinese scholars and students often find it difficult to break into Anglophone academia as the academic habits and writing styles can be vastly different from the paradigms they are used to. Similarly, scholars trained in Anglophone academia may find it difficult to navigate the academic job market in mainland China. Based on my own experience of publishing in English journals and working in different universities in the UK and China, I will share some tips on effective career building that would allow humanities scholars to flourish in particular local contexts and keep their transnational connections and international relevance. This sharing session will start with a summary of the major differences in modes of thinking and writing in Chinese and […]