During my fellowship, I will conduct research for a book that explores the history of photography in China. Since its introduction in the 1840s, photography has become a complex, culturally inflected medium, used for a variety of public and private purposes, and is today a powerful and pervasive form of visuality in China. While many books have been written about photography and China, there is no historical overview of photography in China from the 1840s to the present focusing on the work of Chinese and non-Chinese photographers. Research will focus on important archival collections in the US and China, many of them hitherto neglected by researchers.
 
The research partner should have a background in art history, history, or a related discipline and the ability to read Chinese. Tasks will include sourcing and discussing Chinese and English research materials (visual and textual), meeting with curators, librarians, and archivists, and creating and maintaining a database of research images. Benefits to the student include an introduction to the rich photographic collections held at Harvard University, the Peabody Essex Museum, and other museums and libraries in America and the opportunity to contribute to a wide-ranging Chinese visual culture research project. I would welcome a research partner with an active interest in Chinese visual culture who has initiative and the ability to work independently when required.