Jessica (she/her) is a MA student whose primary interests lie in gender and everyday space in late-imperial and modern China. Her current research explores the significance of gardens in the Republican period (1911-1949) as a social space crucial to women’s lived experience. Potentially, she wishes to link the cultural implications of garden to the diasporic experiences of early Chinese immigrants, through which to understand their attachment to “roots” and (re) imaginings of heritage.

She also has broader interests in contemporary Asian cultures, often finding pleasure in exploring historical fandom, queer culture, and everyday politics within cyberspace. She is especially interested in the affective experience between fans and historical figures, how it provides space not only for community bonding but also alternative readings of history.

She completed her B.A. in History at McGill University, now working under the guidance of Dr. Alison Bailey.