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Stochastic Volatility X DKU: Conversation with Three Top Female Podcasters

In celebration of 2025 DKU Library Book Fair, the Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Library, in collaboration with Gender Studies Lab of the Humanities Research Center (HRC), the Environmental Research Center (ERC), and the Cultures and Movements Major, presents a feature event titled “Stochastic Volatility X DKU | A Conversation with Three Top Female Podcasters.”

We are delighted to welcome the three hosts of Stochastic Volatility (随机波动)—Zhiqi Zhang, Shiye Fu, and Jianguo Leng—for an in-depth conversation. Described by TIME as “the largest feminist-themed podcast in China”, Stochastic Volatility has captivated over three million subscribers across various platforms since its inception in 2020.

This time, the hosts come with their new book series, “Stochastic Library” (Gender: Female, Praise Without Silence), which delves not only into the challenges faced by women but also into broader social realities. During this dynamic conversation, the trio of esteemed female media professionals will reveal exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of the new publications, discuss the remarkable rise of their podcast. Anchored by unique gender and environmental narratives, the discussion will also explore the multifaceted spectrum of contemporary gender issues and their interaction with the environment.

Time: April 22, Tuesday, 4:00-5:15pm

Venue: LIB 2001

Registration: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DlKmjjqMZEkmfY

Or scan here to register:

Language: The session will be delivered in Chinese and simultaneous interpretation into English will be provided.

Moderators

Dr. Binbin Li

Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Duke Kunshan University

Dr. Binbin Li is the Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the Environmental Research Center at Duke Kunshan University. She holds a secondary appointment with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She got her PhD in Environment from Duke University and focuses on the synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development under climate change.

Mengjie Zou

Interim University Librarian at Duke Kunshan University

Mengjie Zou is the current Interim University Librarian and Research and Instruction Librarian at Duke Kunshan University. She joined Duke Kunshan University in 2014 and received her Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.

 

Speakers

From left to right: Jianguo Leng, Zhiqi Zhang, Shiye Fu


Zhiqi Zhang

Host of Stochastic Volatility

Media professional and podcast producer. She received her Master’s degree in Anthropology from Columbia University, and her Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Tsinghua University. Former journalist at Jiemian Culture.

Shiye Fu

Host of Stochastic Volatility

Media professional and podcast producer. She received her Master’s degree in Anthropology from Columbia University and Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wuhan University. Former journalist at The Paper and Jiemian Culture.

Jianguo Leng

Host of Stochastic Volatility

Media professional. She received her degree from the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University.

About Stochastic Volatility

Stochastic Volatility (随机波动) was founded in March 2020 by Zhiqi Zhang, Shiye Fu, and Jianguo Leng, and has amassed over 3 million subscribers across all platforms. More than just a Chinese-language culture podcast, Stochastic Volatility is a multifaceted content platform featuring collaborative writing, visual projects, an interactive mailbox, and more.

In 2024, their publication Grid (格) was released and was shortlisted for the Tokyo TDC Annual Design Awards. Their upcoming book series, Stochastic Library, is set to launch in April 2025.

New Publications

Title: Gender: Female (Stochastic Library 01)

Author: Stochastic Volatility

Publisher: New Star Press

Year of Publication: 2025

Overview:

Have you ever felt like you’re not “new” enough?

Does learning feminist theory make a real difference in our daily lives?

How do newly awakened women navigate a world that still feels stagnant?

This is the first installment of the Stochastic Library series. As women who are both old and new, how do we confront the specific challenges of life? Gender: Female delves into gender identity and the emotions it brings—confusion, anger, disappointment, and inspiration. Topics include gender-based violence, sex education, mother-daughter relationships, cyborg feminism, women in creative fields, and more. Featured guests include Liu Wenli (researcher in children’s sex education), Yan Yi & Yan Yue (stand-up comedians), and writers Zhang Yueran, Dan Bao, and Ni Zhanju, among others. Together, they explore women’s experiences, creative expressions, and the possibilities of gender equality—past, present, and future.

Title: Praise Without Silence (Stochastic Library 02)

Author: Stochastic Volatility

Publisher: New Star Press

Year of Publication: 2025

Overview:

In an age of uncertainty, how do we find our bearings?

How can we move beyond binary oppositions to understand the world in context?

When meaning feels lost, do we still have a civic or intellectual responsibility?

This second installment of the Stochastic Library series features in-depth conversations on the research and writings of scholars such as Huang Xincun, Wang Min’an, Wu Hong, Chen Danqing, Wang Dewei, and Wang Yan. The book also addresses contemporary concerns, including discussions with Luo Xin on history’s relevance to the present and societal shifts before and after the pandemic, and with Sun Ge on insights following Japan’s nuclear wastewater crisis. These dialogues reveal enduring intellectual threads and offer pathways from theory to real-world impact.

We look forward to meeting you in the resonance of soundwaves and words.

Event Report – Women’s Literature and Representation: A Roundtable Discussion

Reported by Yuting Zeng, Class of 2026. 

On the evening of March 24, 2025, a roundtable discussion was held under the theme of “Women’s Literature and Representation,” co-hosted by Yuqing Wang and Yuting Zeng. The event featured three invited speakers: Professor Wenting Ji, Professor Zairong Xiang, and Professor Don Snow, each contributing insights from their research on tanci fiction, mythological retellings, and regional songbooks respectively. The discussion drew over twenty attendees, including students and faculty, and created a space for critical thinking across disciplines.

The event opened with brief introductions to the panelists and the texts under discussion: Destiny of Rebirth 再生缘, The Legend of the White Snake 白蛇传, and Chaozhou Gece 潮州歌册. These works, though differing in form and origin, all center on women’s voices—whether through authorial agency, regional oral storytelling, or symbolic mythology.

Structured in three parts—contextual framing, gender and power, and narrative technique—the discussion touched on diverse issues: the preservation of women’s stories in oral traditions, cross-dressing and gender performance in female-authored fiction, and the metaphorical richness of The Legend of the White Snake across its multiple versions.

Professor Snow generously shared precious archival materials from Chaozhou Gece, offering participants a rare glimpse into the manuscript culture and oral storytelling traditions of southern China. He explained how these narrative songs—often composed and circulated by women—were preserved through oral performance and later published by local shufang (书坊, bookshops or print houses), providing an alternative, regional archive for women’s voices.

Professor Ji explored how cross-dressing in Destiny of Rebirth operates not just as a plot device, but as a lens for negotiating gender identity and social constraints. Her analysis emphasized the significance of female authorship in shaping narrative techniques that depart from male-dominated conventions in scholar-beauty romances.

Professor Xiang offered a concise introduction to queer theory, helping participants understand how queerness operates not only through characters or identities but also as a lens to read narrative structure, desire, and transformation. He then guided the audience through a range of versions of The Legend of the White Snake, from folk narratives and vernacular novels to stage plays and modern adaptations. By mapping the shifts across these forms, Professor Xiang demonstrated how the White Snake story has continually transformed to reflect evolving cultural and gender expectations.

The Q&A session invited further reflection on the texts’ relevance today, drawing links between premodern literary forms and ongoing questions of gender identity, representation, and cultural memory. This roundtable was not just a conversation about literature—it was an invitation to rethink narrative power, gendered histories, and the act of reading itself. Through intersecting perspectives, the event underscored how texts from the past continue to shape and challenge our understanding of women’s roles, both real and imagined.

To Grow Affinity with Whom? Shifting Modes of Engagement of Chinese Buddhism in East Africa

Location: LIB1117

Time: Mar. 31, 2025, 4:30-5:25pm & 5:30-7:00pm

Speaker: Yu Qiu

4:30pm workshop: Between Worlds, Beneath Gazes: Gendered Fieldwork in Afro-Chinese Encounters

5:30pm talk: To grow affinity with whom? Shifting modes of engagement of Chinese Buddhism in East Africa

The GSL Workshop Series is proud to present these events! Join to listen to Zhejiang University social anthropologist Yu Qiu, whose primary research focuses are: intimacy, migration, ethics, and identity politics, with fieldwork experience in Nigeria, Tanzania, and China. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Open Times, and Journal of African Cultural Studies.

Scan to Sign Up!

Pizza & drinks provided.

Between Worlds, Beneath Gazes: Gendered Fieldwork in Afro-Chinese Encounters

Time: March 31, 4:30 PM

Location: LIB1117

Speaker: Yu Qiu

The GSL Workshop Series is proud to present this event! Join the talk for Yu Qiu, a social anthropologist at Zhejiang University. Her research focuses on intimacy, migration, ethics, and identity politics, with fieldwork experience in Nigeria, Tanzania, and China. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Open Times, and Journal of African Cultural Studies.

Scan to Sign Up!

Pizzas & drinks provided.

Joking, Swearing, Translating: Two Days on Intercultural Translation

Have you ever wondered why some jokes don’t translate well into another language? Or how profanity in different languages and dialects can impart incisive wisdom or even express poetic beauty? Two Days on Intercultural Translation opens the gateway to the hilarious, tricky, and thought-provoking world of cross-cultural storytelling.

Two Days on Intercultural Translation invites you into the fascinating, hilarious, and sometimes tricky world of cross-cultural storytelling. Featuring award-winning translators and poets Jessica Cohen, Jennifer Kronovet, Ken Liu, Austin Woerner, and Jenny Xie, this two-day event explores the challenges and artistry of translating humor, swearing, and everything in between.

Get ready for insightful discussions where language gets messy, witty, and wonderfully complex!

Event Details

Day 1: March 28 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM (BJT) | Zoom
Zoom ID: 382 860 0131
A roundtable discussion featuring:

  • Jessica Cohen – Hebrew literary translator, International Booker Prize winner (2017), Guggenheim Fellow (2021).
  • Jennifer Kronovet – Translator of Chinese and Yiddish poetry, Editor of Circumference Books.

Moderated by Professor Yitzhak Lewis.

This is a great opportunity to gain insight into the world of intercultural translation from some of the most accomplished professionals in the field. Stay tuned for more details on Day 2!

Hope to see you there! 

Student Report: Gender + Pain

Nathan Franco, Class of 2028

On Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, DKU faculty, staff, and students gathered for a discussion on Gender and Pain. The guest speakers were none other than Shan Wang, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Duke Kunshan University with research interests in cognitive psychology and pain related issues, and Wenting Ji, an Assistant Professor of Chinese Language at Duke Kunshan University, who researches on female authors and protagonists from late imperial/early modern (16th to 19th century) Chinese literature. Together, these two professors discussed their research on pain and gendered pain. Nineteen students and four DKU faculty members were present during the discussion.

The insightful conversation began with Professor Wang asking, “Who do you think is more resistant to pain, men or woman” to which all those present raised their hands for women. This was followed by another question, “Who experiences more pain, man or women?” to which the majority of people present raised their hands in agreeance with women experiencing more pain. Professor Wang went on to explain that it is true women experience more pain than men. She explained that while there are clear biological distinctions—such as men using glycolic cells to combat pain while women rely on P cells—these differences are biological rather than a gender gap that needs to be closed. More specifically, Professor Shan mentioned that chronic pain is scientifically proven to affect women more than men, even sharing that she herself is a chronic pain patient suffering from migraines. Professor Shan also notes that rather than trying to close the fundamental gaps between men and women, we should instead accept that there are biological differences and that these differences should be accounted for. For example, many pain medications are developed primarily based on male physiology, rendering them less effective for women. Addressing this discrepancy requires sex-specific treatments that account for biological differences rather than attempting to equalize pain responses between men and women.

On the other hand, Professor Wenting’s research examines how historical literature provides insight into women’s pain, particularly in Qing Dynasty China—using the common literary theme of foot binding, which is a painful, socially-driven practice and the best   representation of gender-specific pain in ancient China. Males have never experienced foot binding (which was a choice women had to make to be attractive to potential suitors because to endure pain means you are determined, virtuous, and you are a good representation of your family) compared to the biological pain caused by menstruation. Professor Ji noted that she unexpectedly uncovered that women who bound their feet often bonded over how tiny and petite each other’s feet were rather than foot binding being a taboo topic. Instead, those with bound feet knew they were of similar status and the difficulties each other had to go through. That being said, historical texts tend to focus more on the psychological rather than physical aspects of pain, highlighting the emotional weight of such experiences. This distinction underscores how culture shapes not only the experience of pain but also how it is documented and remembered.

Professor Shan went on to explain that while men and women process pain differently, these distinctions are likely adaptive rather than problematic (because evolution doesn’t care about pain, but rather, evolution cares about survival). The heightened sensitivity to pain in women, for instance, can serve protective and caretaking functions. Additionally, cultural factors influence how pain is expressed, with men more likely to describe pain functionally, while women tend to articulate their pain in emotional and psychological terms. Professor Ji also mentions that through the use of language, there is no actual way to describe one’s pain without using metaphors, hence the emphasis on psychological pain rather than physical pain. However, religious texts tend to emphasize physical suffering more explicitly.

Both professors agreed that it is difficult to measure pain objectively. Pain scales rely on subjective self-reporting, making it difficult to standardize results. Additionally, much research is being conducted on those suffering from pain. Professor Shan suggests that studying individuals who have recovered from pain could offer valuable insights.

Professors Ji and Shan’s conversation emphasized the complexities of gendered pain, with biological, cultural, and historical factors all shaping how pain is perceived and managed.

The discussion finished up with a Q&A session.

Q: When you’re studying pain, do your results differ from those that have chronic pain compared to those with temporary pain due to injury?

A: People with chronic pain tend to build a tolerance to pain. But pain also differs based on context. But the short answer is that most of the time, it will differ.

Q: This reminds me of The Legend of Zhen Huan. In the show, many females describe their life in the forbidden city as psychologically and physically painful, but their families praise them for being selected. However, I wanted to know if there is an imbalance in the literature that portrays women’s pain.

A: Psychological pain is a topic in any piece of literature because it’s easy to write and relate to. But physical pain is a bit harder to come upon. But religious text tends to write about physical pain quite a bit.

Gender + Pain: Let’s discuss gendered psychological and physical pain

Date:  March 19th, 6:00 PM
Location: Water Pavilion

Join us for an eye-opening panel discussion on how people experience and report pain differently based on gender. In light of historical, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives, Professors Wenting Ji and Shan Wang will explore various questions, such as how Chinese history and literature have discussed women’s pain in relation to foot-binding practices and what it means for women and men to have different pain thresholds.

Exploring Anne Conway’s Spiritual Philosophy: A Lecture by Yining Wu

Embark on a captivating journey into the depths of philosophy with Yining Wu’s upcoming lecture, “Anne Conway: What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual?”

Event Details:

  • Date & Time: Thursday, March 6, 3:00–4:30 PM
  • Location: IB 2050

Yining Wu, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in early modern philosophy, will delve into Anne Conway’s profound insights on spirituality.

It’s part of the Gender initiative because the renewed attention to Conway’s work is part of the movement to excavate the underappreciated role women have played in the history of philosophy

We look forward to your participation.

Student Report on Reading Group for “Censoring ‘Rainbow’ in China”

By Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027

On Friday, February 14, 2025, DKU faculty, staff, and students gathered for our first reading group session, which focused on the article “Censoring ‘Rainbow’ in China” by Jamie J. Zhao. We were excited to welcome both returning participants and new faces, including several first-year students.

The session began with an introduction by Professor Zhenjie Weng, who outlined the article’s main themes. The article discusses the censorship of LGBTQ content in Chinese media. Scenes featuring gay romance and LGBT pride symbols were cut, reflecting China’s complex stance on LGBTQ rights, particularly in its media. Professor Weng also introduced the broader context of LGBTQ censorship in China, including state-enforced regulations and the struggles faced by LGBTQ individuals and communities in the country.

Following the introduction, participants engaged in a discussion on the different media censorship policies across various countries, especially with regard to LGBTQ representation. The conversation emphasized the fluid nature of these policies, particularly in China, where censorship practices have shifted over time yet remain influenced by political and ideological factors.

A key point of discussion was the role of Hunan TV, a Chinese media company that, despite its censorship of certain LGBTQ content, has been known for featuring LGBTQ celebrities on its shows in recent years. For example, the 2018 participation of openly queer artist Adam Lambert in the Chinese singing competition Singer was examined as an interesting case of global LGBTQ representation being commercialized for entertainment purposes, despite the Chinese government’s more conservative stance on LGBTQ issues.

Participants also discussed the cultural tensions surrounding LGBTQ representation in China, particularly in relation to how Chinese media balances commercial interests with political control. The group also broadened the conversation to include public opinions on LGBTQ issues in China, referencing popular Chinese television shows like The Untamed (陈情令) and idol-genre dramas (养成系), which often depict LGBTQ themes but avoid directly addressing LGBTQ identities. These shows provide nuanced portrayals of gender and sexuality, but often understate or erase political and social implications, raising questions about how media in China presents LGBTQ culture in a non-threatening, marketable way.

The session concluded with a lively group activity where participants brainstormed strategies for creating more inclusive spaces in Chinese media and education. The activity allowed participants to reflect on the complexities of LGBTQ representation in China, particularly in light of the political climate and the evolving relationship between global pop culture and state censorship.

The event was organized by Dr. Zhenjie Weng, Assistant Professor of English Language Education, and Dr. Yanan Zhao, Senior Lecturer of English for Academic Purposes, from the Language and Culture Center, and was sponsored by the Humanities Research Center. Student worker Yaxuan Wang also contributed to the success of the event. Our next reading group session will be held on March 28, 2025.

Queer Visual Culture in Advertising: Amaryllis du Japon

You’re Invited! Join us for a thought-provoking talk at HRC’s Gender Studies Lab!

Date: March 25, 2025
Location: IB 1047

Time:• 4:30–5:30 PM – Student Workshop • 5:30–7:00 PM – Talk

Speaker: Professor Hyounghee Kong
Topic:Scenting Sapphic Elegance and Queer Promises: Advertisements for Amaryllis du Japon (1891-94)

This talk explores the advertising campaign for Amaryllis du Japon, a fin-de-siècle fragrance by Delettrez, as a case study of homoerotic visual culture targeting middle-class women. Professor Kong will analyze the campaign beyond heteronormative frameworks, revealing both its homoerotic appeal and the contemporary anxieties surrounding such desires.

Plus, rumor has it… PIZZA & BOBA will be provided!