My research focuses on diasporic subjectivity within the fields of cultural studies, postcolonial literature and theory, and Asian North American and Canadian literature. My new book, Mass Capture: Chinese Head Tax and the Making of Non-Citizens in Canada is also available in a beautiful Open Access edition. Mass Capture is a SSHRC-funded project that focuses on Chinese Canadian head tax certificates known as "C.I. 9's." These certificates mark one of the first uses of identification photography in Canada. Drawing from this archive, my research explores the relationship between citizenship, photography, and anticipation as a mode of agency. Mass Capture received an Honourable Mention for the 2023 Photography Network Book Prize. It also won the Association for Asian American Studies 2023 Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Multidisciplinary Category. I have co-edited Human Rights and the Arts: Perspectives on Global Asia with Susan Henders (York, Political Science). This book rethinks the contexts and subjects of human rights by taking its lead from writers, artists, filmmakers, and dramatists in Asia and the Asian diaspora. My book, Eating Chinese: Culture on the Menu in Small Town Canada , examines the relationship between Chinese restaurants and Canadian culture. My current project, Asian Values: Fictions of Finance and Beautiful Money , explores diasporic movement and theories of value in postcolonial Asia.

• Outstanding Achievement, Multidisciplinary Category, Association for Asian American Studies Book Award - 2023
• Honourable Mention, Photography Network Annual Book Awards - 2022

My research focuses on diasporic subjectivity within the fields of cultural studies, postcolonial literature and theory, and Asian North American and Canadian literature. My new book, Mass Capture: Chinese Head Tax and the Making of Non-Citizens in Canada is also available in a beautiful Open Access edition. Mass Capture is a SSHRC-funded project that focuses on Chinese Canadian head tax certificates known as "C.I. 9's." These certificates mark one of the first uses of identification photography in Canada. Drawing from this archive, my research explores the relationship between citizenship, photography, and anticipation as a mode of agency. Mass Capture received an Honourable Mention for the 2023 Photography Network Book Prize. It also won the Association for Asian American Studies 2023 Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Multidisciplinary Category. I have co-edited Human Rights and the Arts: Perspectives on Global Asia with Susan Henders (York, Political Science). This book rethinks the contexts and subjects of human rights by taking its lead from writers, artists, filmmakers, and dramatists in Asia and the Asian diaspora. My book, Eating Chinese: Culture on the Menu in Small Town Canada , examines the relationship between Chinese restaurants and Canadian culture. My current project, Asian Values: Fictions of Finance and Beautiful Money , explores diasporic movement and theories of value in postcolonial Asia.

Degrees

Appointments

Awards

• Outstanding Achievement, Multidisciplinary Category, Association for Asian American Studies Book Award - 2023
• Honourable Mention, Photography Network Annual Book Awards - 2022