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Student Report on the Eco-Emancipation Conference
Reported by Cody Schmidt, class of 2025, and Grace Kelly, class of 2025
DKU’s Eco-Emancipation conference gathered international scholars to explore approaches to environmental justice, rights of nature, and themes in human-environment relationality. Through lectures, discussion, and spirited debates, participants imagined liberation beyond modern anthropocentric frameworks.
The Humanities Research Center held a three-day conference titled “Eco-Emancipation: Reimagining Sustainability, Justice, and Liberation” from April 10th to 12th. Hosted by DKU professors Quinlan Bowman and Robin Rodd, the conference brought together a number of scholars—both in-person and virtual—from across the globe to discuss novel ideas concerning the rights of nature, bioculturalism, and the interconnectedness between humans and their environment.
The conference drew its name and themes from a recently published book by Sharon Krause, a professor of political science at Brown University, titled Eco-Emancipation: An Earthly Politics of Freedom. In her book, Krause offers a political framework for environmental justice and argues for greater constraints on domination and exploitation, both regarding humans and what she refers to as the “more-than-human,” topics which were referenced throughout the conference.
Keynote speaker Robyn Eckersley (University of Melbourne) opened the conference on April 10th with a lecture tracing the history of non-anthropocentric political theories, from early religion-inspired stewardship to modern legislative methods. Eckersley’s address set the stage for the days ahead, followed by an opening reception and a student panel on eco-emancipation and sustainability.
Sharon Krause began the first full day of speakers with an overview and expansion on the themes of her book. Speaking via Zoom, she built upon the need for a non-anthropocentric transition and recognition of nature’s rights through its representation in political systems. Renee Richer (DKU) spoke next, exploring the colonial history of invasive species, followed by Robyn Eckersley, who spoke on the practice of eco-emancipation and its tangible processes and outcomes. Joining virtually, Alf Hornberg (Lund University) discussed the need for humans to reorient their actions and thoughts in response to a rapidly changing biosphere, adapting to match the seriousness of the climate crisis. Lisa Ellis (University of Otago) and Marion Hourdequin (Colorado College), both joining online as well, presented ideas for achieving a post-extractivist, eco-emancipatory world. Ellis analyzed New Zealand’s rights of nature legislation, and Hourdequin argued for the interpretation of certain ethical choices as political. Hans Baer (University of Melbourne) closed this day of lectures with a critique of the aviation industry and its effects on the environment.
The final day began with co-host Robin Rodd detailing biocultural efforts in the Paraguay-Paraná watershed, where a collective of Argentinian activists is creating economic and social empowerment for communities. Miguel Rojas-Sotelo (Duke University) and Isabel Altamirano-Jimenez (University of Alberta) spoke on indigenous cosmologies and associated rejections of anthropocentrism in favor of eco-relationality. Rowan Alcock (Tsinghua University) presented his current project on post-growth values in Chinese communities, primarily through the care of collectives. Eben Kirksey (University of Oxford) spoke on how social inequities and exploitative industry practices shape humans’ vulnerability to viruses, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference concluded with co-host Quinlan Bowman’s preview of his forthcoming paper, which interrogates the idea of a societal “overlapping consensus” on eco-emancipation as presented by Krause.
Each talk was followed by a Q&A, during which lively, stimulating debates engaged guest scholars, DKU professors, and students in discussion. The result was a dynamic exchange of ideas from global yet intersecting perspectives, leaving participants eager to continue to reimagine what true sustainability and eco-emancipation might look like.
DKU Film Society Presents: A Special Outdoor Screening of Metropolis (1927)
Step back in time to experience one of cinema’s most iconic films. Metropolis is a visionary sci-fi epic set in a dystopian city divided by class struggle, and its stunning imagery continues to influence filmmaking today. Watch it the way it was originally meant to be seen — outdoors, after dark, with a live, improvisational piano score performed by two talented pianists
We’re making it a full evening of fun and community:
– Buffet-style tea break before and during the screening
– Board games, card games, spikeball, and cornhole on the lawn
– Custom DKU Film Society blankets to keep you cozy (limited supply — first come, first serve)
Location: Lawn in front of CCTE
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 19:00
~ Free and open to all ~
Come early, bring friends, enjoy food, games, and a timeless film experience under the stars ✨
Superdeep Nighthawks presents: Flow (2024)
Nighthawks will screen Flow (2024) by the Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis. Come to see the adventures of a cat as it navigates a world with drastically rising water levels.
When: 8:08 pm, Apr 24 (Thu)
Location: IB 1008
Light refreshments will be served!
Eco-Emancipation | Gaza’s Genocide/Ecocide, Technolibertarian Warfare, and the Seeds of Survival
What does survival look like in the ruins of environmental devastation and militarized control? How can art and visual culture confront genocidal violence and offer radical hope?
The Humanities Research Center at Duke Kunshan University is honored to host Professor T.J. Demos (History of Art and Visual Culture, UC Santa Cruz) for a timely and urgent lecture exploring the intersections of political violence, ecological destruction, and speculative futures.
Beyond the Birthing Chamber: Alternative Public Services of Midwives in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Date: April 25, Friday
Time:6:30-7:30 pm
Location: LIB 2001
Speaker:
Yue GU is an assistant professor in the History Department at Shanghai University. She earned her B.S. degree from Northeastern University (NEU), Boston. She holds an MPhil and Ph.D. degree from the University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on gender history, social medical history, and the history of emotions in Ming-Qing China.
Abstract:
Existing research on midwives has primarily focused on their role as birth attendants. In late imperial China, knowledge about the female body and gynecology was largely constructed by male physicians. Therefore, it is especially important to examine the relatively few female medical practitioners in history. This lecture, however, shifts the focus beyond the birthing chamber to the alternative public services midwives provided—such as verifying chastity, determining sex, conducting autopsies, and caring for female criminals. The authority midwives held in these roles stemmed precisely from their primary occupation of delivering babies. Their profession, defined by intimate contact with female bodies, granted them a unique voice in various forms of public service. The society relied on midwives’ authority within gendered discourse, while at the same time making every effort to deny their professional status.
Student Report: Gambling and Early Modern Vernacular Stories: 馮夢龍 (1574-1646) and Li Yu 李漁 (1611-1680)
Reported by Yuqing Wang, Class of 2025
On April 16th, Duke Kunshan University had the pleasure of hosting Professor Jiayi Chen from Washington University in St. Louis for a lecture titled Gambling and Early Modern Vernacular Stories: Feng Menglong and Li Yu. Held in CCT E1012, the event attracted around 30 students and faculty members from various disciplines, creating a lively and engaged atmosphere.
Professor Jiayi Chen focused on two vernacular short stories—“A Trifling Quarrel Over a Penny Leads to an Extraordinary Tragedy” by Feng Menglong and “A Living Person Pays the Gambling Debt for a Ghost” by Li Yu—to explore how gambling functions as a key narrative device. She argued that in the literary context of late Ming and early Qing China, gambling was more than a recreational activity—it became a symbolic structure through which writers explored moral tension, social risk, and the unpredictability of fate. Following the format of simple coin-flipping gamble, a single wager in these stories could lead to dramatic consequences, prompting deeper reflection on opportunity and agency while refraining from giving clear moral teachings.
In addition to textual analysis, Professor Chen introduced various forms of gambling practiced in premodern China, such as dice games, treasure guessing, and betting rituals. These historical examples helped bridge the gap between literary imagination and lived cultural practices, enriching the audience’s understanding of both.
The Q&A session was dynamic and intellectually stimulating. Students raised thoughtful questions about narrative structure, gender representation, and symbolic meaning. Many commented that the lecture helped them see early vernacular fiction—and the role of “games” in literature—in a completely new light. Overall, the lecture offered a nuanced and engaging perspective on how literature and cultural practice intersect, highlighting the complexity and richness of early Chinese storytelling.
HRC 2025 Spring Conference Film Screening
Join us for an evening of thought-provoking film screenings at Duke Kunshan University’s Humanities Research Center!
When: Thursday, April 17, 18:00-19:30
Where: HUM Space (AB1075A)
We’ll be showcasing two impactful films: Coolie Pink and Green (2010, 20 mins), directed by Patricia Mohammed, and Comfort Women: One Last Cry (2013, 50 mins).
Enjoy the engaging films and snacks as part of the HRC’s 2025 Spring Conference.
Don’t miss out on this powerful evening—see you there!
Eco-Emancipation| Eben Kirksey at DKU: Workshop & Public Lecture
We are pleased to welcome Professor Eben Kirksey, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oxford, for two events at Duke Kunshan University:
Workshop ：Multispecies Ethnography and Tactical Media
Date: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 2:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Location: WDR 3002
Public Lecture： Decentered Multispecies Design
Date: Thursday, April 17
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: IB Lecture Hall
Reading Group: Cultural Competence in Inclusive Education
Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, and Justice is an essential topic in academia. Despite its wide discussion in academia, at the practical level, it still poses a challenge for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practices. It is crucial to ensure that educational materials and curricula are inclusive, relevant, and engaging for all students while creating safe and inclusive learning environments.
Location: AB3033(3C)
Date & Time: April 17, 12pm-1pm
Lunch will be provided!
Scan below to sign up:
Scan below to get the reading:
Student Report on Reading Group for “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education”
By Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027
On Friday, March 28, 2025, DKU faculty, staff, and students gathered for our second reading group session on “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education.” This event brought together participants from various backgrounds for a timely and engaging discussion on the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities, with a particular focus on the Chinese social and cultural context.
The session began with a brief overview of the week’s reading, which examined the current landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals in China.The article highlighted the rise in visibility and online activism alongside persistent challenges such as censorship, traditional family structures, and limited legal recognition. Participants reflected on how these overlapping dynamics shape the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people in China, especially youth.
Facilitators Dr. Zhenjie Weng and Dr. Yanan Zhao led the group in an open and thoughtful conversation. Participants shared insights into how LGBTQ+ issues are discussed—or not discussed—within their own communities, and what kinds of language and representation are available to them. The discussion emphasized the importance of solidarity, active listening, and creating safer spaces where queer voices can be heard and respected.
The session concluded with a hands-on group activity, where participants were asked to rank five categories of policy recommendations from most to least important or feasible. The categories included: Legal and Policy Reforms; Public Awareness and Social Inclusion; Healthcare and Mental Health Services; Education and Employment Protections; and Support for Civil Society and Research. Each group compared their rankings and justified their choices based on real-world considerations, sparking further reflection on what meaningful change might look like in both local and national contexts.
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 contributed to the planning and success of the event.
