The UBC Undergraduate Conference of Chinese Studies 3-Minute Thesis Competition 2025 (UCCS 3MT 2025) has come to a close, leaving behind an unforgettable experience filled with captivating presentations.
Co-facilitated by the UBC Chinese Language Program (CLP) and the UBC Student Association of Sinology (USAS), the conference drew an extensive audience of students from diverse disciplines united by a shared passion for Chinese literature. The event served as an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to share and discuss their research interests, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and bring together the academic community with their unique perspectives on the subject.
A Poster of UBC UCCS 3MT 2025
UBC UCCS 3MT 2025 was dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Emerita Florence Chiaying Yeh (1924-2024), recognizing her contributions as a world-renowned scholar of classical Chinese poetry and a cherished member of the UBC community. We were honored to invite Professor Laifong Leung, a former student of Professor Yeh and Professor Emerita of Chinese Literature at the University of Alberta, to deliver the Keynote Speech during the event.
Professor Emerita Florence Chia-ying Yeh
The theme of this year’s conference was Weaving Memories. We encouraged students of Chinese literature to pull apart the threads of Chinese literature and culture, to unravel its myths and texture, and to ponder the ways in which memory, tradition, and the act of reading shape one another.
A mosaic featuring the talented contestants in the UCCS 3MT 2025
The Conference comprised two stages of competition: the semi-finals and the final competition. This year, 22 talented contestants submitted their videotaped presentations for the semi-finals, which were then displayed on the Canvas site of the Conference. After a month of intense competition, the semi-finals attracted nearly 400 viewers and received a total of 110 anonymous votes. Having received the highest number of votes, 10 finalists were selected to proceed to the final competition.
Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh delivering opening remarks that kicked off the UCCS 3MT 2025 final competition
The final competition began with a remarkable opening speech by Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh, the Department Head of Asian Studies and Professor of Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture. Her insightful remarks shed light on the significance of hosting such an event at UBC and how it fosters inclusion, enthusiasm, and active participation in civic engagement. Dr. Orbaugh expressed her own excitement for the event, highlighting how a passionate environment can motivate individuals. Her inspiring words set the tone for the event and left everyone feeling energized to participate.
Professor Laifong Leung delivering the keynote speech
Professor Laifong Leung delivered a keynote speech in remembrance of the late Professor Emerita Chia-ying Yeh. The speech honoured and commemorated the immense contributions that Professor Yeh made over the past several decades to classical Chinese poetry and UBC Asian Studies. As we reflect on the past, we all feel the weight of history and memory. In the library of UBC Asian Studies, the first office in the corridor was once the workspace of Professor Yeh. For decades, she dedicated her youth here, leaving behind a priceless literary heritage of Chinese literature for the world.
The judges and audience are awaiting the intense final
The adjudication committee consisted of some of the most esteemed scholars from the Department of Asian Studies:
- Dr. Alison Bailey, Assistant Professor in Pre-modern Chinese Literature, Asian Studies, UBC
- Dr. Christopher Rea, Professor in Modern Chinese Literature, Asian Studies, UBC
- Dr. Renren Yang, Assistant Professor in Modern Chinese Popular Culture, Asian Studies, UBC
- Dr. Xiaoqiao Xu, Lecturer in Modern Chinese Literature and Cinema, Asian Studies, UBC
- Ms. Jing Liu, Chinese Studies Librarian, Asian Library, UBC
- Ms. Haoyue Li, Ph.D. Candidate, Asian Studies, UBC
- Ms. Siyun Pan, Ph.D. Student, Asian Studies, UBC
- Ms. Huizhi Wang, Ph.D. Student, Asian Studies, UBC
- Ms. Jiaqi Yao, Ph.D. Candidate, Asian Studies, UBC
Dingye Liang, one of the finalists, delivering a research presentation about a novel
During the final competition, 10 talented finalists took the stage and delivered awe-inspiring presentations that covered a wide range of topics from classical Chinese literature, modern Chinese literature, to contemporary Chinese films. The students explored a wide range of styles, genres, and approaches to their research, spanning different time periods in Chinese history. They compared characters, expressions, and contexts from their chosen media and research topics, engaging in lively discussions and sharing their journeys of exploration.
The audience had the opportunity to witness the outstanding achievements of 10 finalists, each of whom was welcomed to the stage to receive recognition and claim prizes for their inspiring research.
First Place Award Presented by Dr. Christopher Rea
First Place Award
梁鼎业 / Dingye Liang
研究课题：《尹县长》与《班主任》有关文革书写的差异分析
Research Topic: “A Comparative Analysis of Cultural Revolution Narratives in County Magistrate Yin and The Class Teacher“
Second Place Award Presented by Dr. Alison Bailey
Second Place Award
雷若冰 / Ruobing Lei
研究课题：以童心破镜——从道家思想视角解读侯孝贤《童年往事》中的电影美学
Research Topic: “Breaking the Mirror with a Child’s Heart: An Interpretation of the Film Aesthetics in Hou Hsiao-hsien’s A Time to Live, A Time to Die from the Perspective of Daoist Philosophy”
张璧涵 / Bihan Zhang
研究课题：未完成的落地——《野猪渡河》主要人物艾米莉摇摆不定的身份认同
Research Topic: “Unfinished Landing: The Unstable Identity of Emily, the Protagonist in Crossing the Wild Boar River“
Third Place Award Presented by Dr. Renren Yang
Third Place Award
沈翰墨 / Philip Shen
研究课题：论《诗经》对中庸思想的深远影响
Research Topic: “On the Profound Influence of The Book of Songs on the Doctrine of the Mean”
王贺加 / Hejia Wang, 黄青源 / Qingyuan Huang, 俞宁 / Ning Yu
研究课题：《长恨歌》中“恨”的解读
Research Topic: “An Interpretation of ‘Sorrow’ in The Song of Everlasting Sorrow“
杨紫媛 / Ziyuan Yang
研究课题：语言的镜像——《血观音》中方言的文化力量与身份建构
Research Topic: “The Mirror of Translated Language: The Cultural Power and Identity Construction of Dialects in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful“
People’s Choice Award Presented by Dr. Xiaoqiao Xu
People’s Choice Award
黄吟葭 / Yinjia Huang
研究课题：君虽死去——从《树犹如此》中的树和花看白先勇的创伤与治愈
Research Topic: “Though You Are Gone: Bai Xianyong’s Trauma and Healing Through Trees and Flowers in The Trees Still Grow“
申屠诗坦 / Sylvia Shentu
研究课题：试论李白《梦游天姥吟留别》中对《庄子》的化用
Research Topic: “An Analysis of Li Bo’s Adaptation of Zhuangzi in A Farewell Song of Dreaming of Mount Tianmu“
谢奕如 / Yiru Xie
研究课题：蜀道之难，难于上青天——从人的异化角度看电影《宇宙探索编辑部》
Research Topic: “The Difficulty of the Shu Road, Harder Than Climbing to the Sky: An Analysis of the Film Journey to the West from the Perspective of Human Alienation”
张镭译 / Leiyi Zhang
研究课题：论薛涛作品中女性意识的觉醒与情感悲歌——以《谒巫山庙》与《牡丹》为例
Research Topic: “Awakening of Female Consciousness and Emotional Elegy in Xue Tao’s Works: A Study of Visiting the Wushan Temple and The Peony“
All ten finalists in the UCCS 3MT 2025
The UCCS sincerely thanks all the contestants for their hard work and commitment, and the judges for their thoughtful assessments.
Huge thanks to the incredible UCCS 3MT organizing team and volunteers for their passion and hard work
The UCCS extends its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the conference, including students, featured speakers, presenters, instructors, Work Learn assistants, participants, sponsors, and the dedicated behind-the-scenes team. This event was designed to foster interdisciplinary research, critical thinking, and academic excellence among undergraduate students at UBC. The UCCS remains committed to these goals and looks forward to continuing the 3MT competition in future conferences. We look forward to welcoming you back next time, where fresh perspectives will be shared and innovative ideas will continue to flourish.
