Event Report: Unnatural Rain: Legitimizing Weather Modification in the Cold War U.S.
Archives and History Initiative, by Disty Mahmud ‘26 and Yuruo Zhang ‘27
On April 30th, the Archives and History Initiative hosted Professor Joseph Giacomelli, who presented on his research paper, Unnatural Rain: Legitimizing Weather Modification in the Cold War U.S. The talk explored how weather modification, especially cloud seeding, was framed and justified during the mid-20th century in the United States, despite scientific uncertainty and widespread public skepticism. Eleven students and four professors attended the event.
Professor Giacomelli opened with a personal anecdote about his introduction to the world of weather modification when he was a college student. There, he encountered weather practitioners, who piqued his curiosity in the subject. Afterwards, he attended a panel in Wyoming that discussed cloud seeding, which further sparked his interest.
Rather than focusing solely on the technological aspects of weather modification, Giacomelli emphasized the intellectual rationale behind it. He drew extensively from The Journal of Weather Modification. His central research question: how was weather modification legitimized amid unreliable results and public controversy?
Professor Giacomelli explained key strategies for gaining legitimacy, as well as some of the challenges to the credibility of weather modification research. During the Cold War, weather modification was part of a broader “techno-solutionist” ethos. However, it faced significant obstacles. Firstly, there was significant scientific uncertainty. The results of the weather modification were inconsistent. Even more, its effectiveness could not be established due to the absence of “control” weather conditions. Secondly, the public blamed some natural disasters on weather modification, raising ecological and ethical concerns and even lawsuits. Moreover, religious groups also opposed the modification, as a defence for the divinity of God. Resistance was so strong that some practitioners recommended secrecy: “Let sleeping dogs lie,” as one source put it in 1973.
Next, Professor Giacomelli delved deeper into several strategies of legitimization. To gain public and institutional support, cloud-seeding advocates employed several strategies. Practitioners framed weather modification as an extension of nature itself. This view likened environmental intervention to moral or social order. Also, some of the practitioners combined technocratic authority with a wild-west and frontier-style experimentation. Though skeptical of computational modeling, citing the chaotic nature of weather systems, they claimed it was easier to control the weather than predict it. Lastly, Weather modification was portrayed as essential in the geopolitical conflict with the Soviet Union. Advocates used euphemisms to veil militaristic motives, while also promoting free enterprise and private experimentation. This was alongside emphasized capitalist rhetoric, positioning weather modification as an entrepreneurship.
Professor Giacomelli concluded by reflecting on the broader implications of his research. He posed open questions about parallels with contemporary geoengineering and its potential ethical, environmental, and justice-related concerns. Prof. Giacomelli received questions and comments from both students and faculty. One audience member suggested that legitimization often happens at the margins, and that it would be worthwhile to consider the divide between the urban and rural.
The talk offered insights into how Cold War ideologies, environmental ethics, and scientific uncertainty come together in the history of weather modification.
Student Report on Having it All: Understanding Work & Family Dynamics in Contemporary Korea
By Nathan Franco, Class of 2028.
On Monday, April 15th, 2025, two DKU faculty and 32 students gathered in person or via Zoom for a discussion on Work and Family Dynamics in Contemporary Korea, a research paper conducted by Hyeyoung Woo, a Professor of Sociology at Portland State University, in collaboration with colleagues from Seoul University, Pennsylvania University, among other Universities. The research aimed to determine the gap in health in age groups 18-29, 30-49, and 50-65 (working age) considering three factors: education, employment, and family formations. The research question is, does the association between gender and Self-Reported Health (SRH) vary across Korea, the United States, and Finland? The discussion began with background information.
Professor Woo first explains Korea’s educational background: Tertiary education is beyond secondary education. Overall, there has been an increasing trend in education in Korea over time. Professor Woo then showed a graph that showed education attainment in Korea going from 20% to 70%. In addition, Professor Woo shared that from the 1970s to 2020, the employment trend of men and women increased. But when you look at the rate of married males and females, women fall short compared to men. However, the increase of unmarried individuals in 2020 is almost equal among males and females. Globally, Korea also “excels” in the gender wage gap, which the OECD graph shows is about 30%, which means women make 70% less than employed males. Furthermore, Korea’s total fertility rate is below 1, which means that Korean females are expected to have less than one child. The size of the population over time will, therefore, continuously shrink. A low total fertility rate isn’t unique to Korea, but Korea is the only country below 1 in fertility rate. That said, when Koreans have children, they tend to put a lot of work into that child (expenditure on private education and more).
After conducting her research, Professor Woo made the following findings:
- In Korea, the highest gender gap in SRH is observed, especially among young and middle-aged Koreans.
- Women in the United States also experience a health disadvantage relative to men. However, this disadvantage in the United States is smaller than the disadvantage in Korea, and covariates, including family formation and employment, explain the disadvantage among middle-aged and older American women.
- In Finland, the health disadvantage among women is only observed among young adults, and in fact, among middle-aged and older adults, women tend to have higher levels of health than men do.
Professor Woo concluded that gender differences in health are highly contingent on an individual’s social location within a specific country and cross-national variations in work cultures, family practices, and work-family policy.
However, after conducting her research, Professor Woo felt that another round of research, specifically on Korea, was needed. Her summary of her findings is as follows.
Most young adults in Korea tend to work first and have a family later, or work without a family. A conclusion from the findings is that both employed men and women that marry later in their life and remain married, in addition to having children tends to lead to the best health outcomes. On the other hand, those with limited employment and negligible family formation pathways appear to be the most vulnerable. However, despite high work-family incompatibility and the rise of being single and childless in recent years, both work and family are still protective for health. For men, marriage and children provide additional health advantages beyond employment.
Lastly, we wrapped up with a short Q&A.
Q&A:
Q: This research is wide in scope; how can we explore the causal relationship (social factors and health outcomes) between the factors in Korea?
A: This is a challenging problem in the social sciences. There is a tendency that when you have a higher education, you will also make a greater amount of money, but this isn’t necessarily causation. When considering current health outcomes, we consider the past because we know that education comes first. So, health isn’t going to cause education, but rather, education may be a cause of health.
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 ✨
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.
Event Recap: Navigating China’s Archives: A Hands-On Guide for Emerging Researchers
Reported by Disty Mahmud, the Class of 2026 & Yuruo Zhang, the Class of 2027.
On March 19th, the Archives and History Initiative hosted a presentation featuring Professors Lei Lin, Qian Zhu, and Andrew Field. The event explored strategies for accessing and utilizing China’s archival materials, both physically and digitally, drawing from the professors’ research experiences.
Professor Lei Lin: Archives of China’s Qing Dynasty
Professor Lei Lin, an assistant professor of Chinese History, focused on Qing dynasty (1644–1912) archival research. She introduced Qing archives, distinguishing between primary archival sources and secondary historiographical materials. She highlighted key government documents such as imperial edicts (Shangyu), palace memorials (Zouzhe), and routine memorials (Tiben), also noting the emperor’s red-script annotations (Pihong). She also discussed Manchu-language memorials, which were rarely translated to Chinese due to the Manchu background of government officials.
Professor Lin shared examples of archival collections, including wartime communications between Qing officials and generals, compiled into books for retrieval. She provided guidance on accessing digital archives, such as the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and unpublished materials from the First Historical Archives in Beijing and Nanjing. She also explained the structure of provincial archives, like those in Shanghai, and accessing physical archives with a Chinese national ID (or foreign passport) and an institutional letter from a DKU professor.
During the Q&A, a student asked why unpublished archives remain restricted. Professor Lei explained that archives also serve national accountability, and restricted historical materials allow for manipulation of narratives to the public. She also addressed a question on historical sources beyond archival documents.
Professor Qian Zhu: Researching 20th-Century China
Professor Qian Zhu’s presentation focused on archival research in 20th-century China, highlighting resources accessible both at Duke and online. She introduced some key off-campus archives. The Second Historical Archives of China (SHAC) in Nanjing (http://shac.net.cn/sy_59/) was mentioned. Visiting this spot requires an appointment, a valid ID, and an introduction letter from a DKU professor. Also, Shanghai Municipal Library (https://www.library.sh.cn/) was brought to the conversation. It is open to the public with an ID and library card. A Digital Humanities Platform can be visited by clicking https://dhc.library.sh.cn/, which offers free scanned copies of documents.
On top of that, she introduced Duke University’s online resources, such as primary source databases like the Chinese studies collections, ProQuest Historical Newspapers, and the Chinese Newspapers Collection. Additionally, she highlighted Late Qing and Republic of China (Minguo) Periodicals housed at the National Library in Beijing and an OCR tool that converts PDFs and images into editable text, with translation capabilities.
For digital archives, Professor Zhu recommended several other resources, including: the WeChat account Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwan and Overseas Historical Materials (港澳台及海外历史文献), Guangdong-HK-Macau Special Archive Digital Platform (https://www.zslib.com.cn/jingtaiyemian/yga/nav.html), Literature and Periodicals in Republican China (https://cadal.hytung.com.cn/), and Digital Image Collections of the Republic of China (http://www.minguotupian.com/).
Professor Zhu concluded by reflecting on how archives “speak” to researchers. She emphasized that interpretation is shaped by the person’s background and knowledge, making historical and cultural context crucial when working with archival materials. She also discussed how archives both reflect power structures and reveal hidden narratives.
Professor Andrew Field: The Role of Archives in Historical Research
In the final presentation, Professor Andrew Field emphasized the importance of archival research for historians. Not only in terms of deep engagement with sources but also in building connections with like-minded scholars. He also highlighted the need for persistence and patience when working with archives and archivists.
He then shared the case of the Shanghai Municipal Police files, a collection of intelligence records smuggled out of Shanghai in 1949 by the CIA due to their data on global communist activities. Originally hidden in Langley, these files were later declassified through the Freedom of Information Act by a couple of historians and are now housed in the U.S. National Archives. The documents provide valuable insights into daily life and nightlife in Shanghai during that period.
Professor Field concluded with a reminder to the audience: “Archive your personal life”, emphasizing the value of documenting your own experiences as a way of memory.
The event saw an estimated attendance of 37 students and faculty. The presentations were enjoyed with snacks and drinks catering. To learn more about DKU’s Archives and History Initiative and be updated on our events, email student coordinators Yuruo Zhang (yuruo.zhang@dukekunshan.edu.cn) or Disty Mahmud (andhisty.mahmud@dukekunshan.edu.cn), to be added to the WeChat group.
DKU Film Society Schedule｜Pushing Boundaries: The Best of Cinema
Join the DKU Film Society for a carefully curated series of screenings showcasing some of the most acclaimed films from renowned directors across different eras and genres. This semester’s lineup highlights a diverse selection of cinematic masterpieces that have left a lasting impact on the world of film.
Convener: DKU Film Society
Time: Thursdays, 6:30 PM
Location: CCTE Theatre
Spring 2025 Screening Schedule
March 6 – Little Women (2019) – Dir. Greta Gerwig
A fresh and poignant adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, exploring the lives, struggles, and ambitions of the March sisters.
March 20 – I’m Not There (2007) – Dir. Todd Haynes
A unique, multi-actor portrayal of the enigmatic Bob Dylan, blending fact and fiction to explore the many facets of his identity.
March 27 – Do the Right Thing (1989) – Dir. Spike Lee
A powerful and visually striking film examining racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a scorching summer day.
April 3 – Election (1999) – Dir. Johnnie To
A gripping Hong Kong crime thriller about power struggles within a triad organization, showcasing To’s signature tense and stylish direction.
April 10 – Taxi Driver (1976) – Dir. Martin Scorsese
A dark psychological drama following the descent of an alienated Vietnam War veteran into vigilante violence in a corrupt New York City.
April 17 – Underground (1995) – Dir. Emir Kusturica
An epic, surreal tragicomedy chronicling the turbulent history of Yugoslavia through the lives of two friends caught in the chaos of war.
April 24 – Fitzcarraldo (1982) – Dir. Werner Herzog
An audacious tale of obsession, following a dreamer’s impossible quest to build an opera house in the Amazon jungle.
May 1 – La Haine (1995) – Dir. Mathieu KassovitzA gripping social commentary on urban youth and police brutality, following three friends navigating life in the Parisian suburbs.All students and faculty are welcome! Whether you’re a film enthusiast or just looking to experience great cinema, join us for engaging discussions and an exploration of storytelling through film.
Event Report — Female Pain in Pre-modern China/ Reading group night
By Yuqing Wang, Class of 2025 & Yuting Zeng, Class of 2026
February 21, 2025, Professor Wenting Ji, Yuqing Wang and Yuting Zeng hosted a reading group sharing event centered on the theme of “female+pain,” guided by historian Dorothy Ko’s two monographs on women in Chinese history: Cinderella’s Sisters and Teachers in the Inner Chambers. This session attracts more than fifteen participants, including students and faculty members.
The event began with Yuting distributing handouts to initiate our discussion, setting the stage for an engaging conversation. Participants first reflected on pain as a personal and historical experience, questioning whether it can serve as a voice when words fail. This led to a nuanced discussion on footbinding, moving beyond its traditional portrayal as a symbol of oppression to examine its complex roles in cultural identity, social status, and gendered expectations. Yuqing then shifted the discussion to women’s education in premodern China, highlighting its dual nature as both a privilege and a tool of control. Professor Ji provided valuable insights into the gendered limitations of learning, from home-based instruction to moral conditioning. Participants engaged in a debate on whether education fosters liberation or reinforces confinement, drawing connections to modern-day gender norms.
Our conversation expanded beyond historical analysis to address the multifaceted forms of pain experienced by women, past and present. Topics ranged from menstrual pain and its associated social stigma to the systematic exclusion of women from intellectual spaces. Participants drew parallels between historical silences and modern struggles for visibility and voice, prompting a deeper reflection on the enduring impact of pain—whether physical, social, or intellectual—on women’s lives.
By the end of the session, participants left with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding women’s pain, both in historical contexts and contemporary society. The discussion fostered a critical examination of how pain has been used to define, constrain, and sometimes empower women, highlighting its role in shaping gendered experiences over time. Through engaged dialogue, attendees reflected on the evolving significance of footbinding, education, and exclusion, drawing connections between past struggles and present-day realities. The event not only encouraged meaningful scholarly exchange but also inspired participants to continue exploring these themes in their own research and daily lives.
DKU Film Society Presents: The Best of Sofia Coppola
This Thursday at CCTE Theatre, we’re thrilled to present a screening of The Virgin Suicides (“处女之死,” 1999) as part of our “The Best of…” series. This hauntingly poetic debut by Sofia Coppola is a mesmerizing exploration of memory, desire, and the unknowable depths of adolescence.
Set in suburban 1970s America, The Virgin Suicides follows the tragic and mysterious lives of the five Lisbon sisters, whose beauty and isolation captivate the neighborhood boys who narrate the film. Through dreamlike visuals, an ethereal score by Air, and Coppola’s signature delicate touch, the film weaves a melancholic tapestry of youth, repression, and the fleeting nature of innocence.
Time & Location:
DKU Film Society Presents: 情书 Love Letter (1995)
Location: CCTE Theatre
Time: This Thursday, 6:30 PM
Tonight at CCTE Theatre, we’re excited to present a screening of Shunji Iwai’s Love Letter, as part of our “The Best of…” series. This emotionally evocative film is a masterpiece of modern Japanese cinema, renowned for its exquisite portrayal of love, grief, and the passage of time.
Set in the scenic beauty of Hokkaido, Love Letter follows the story of a woman who, after the death of her fiancé, uncovers a letter he wrote to her years earlier. As she delves into the past, the film explores themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of love. With Iwai’s signature delicate style, Love Letter is a beautifully crafted meditation on human connection and the ways in which we cope with the loss of those we love.
Join Professor Davis and the Film Society in experiencing this beautiful film. Professor Davis will give a brief talk before the screening so please make sure to come early and grab a seat! Immerse yourself in this profound and visually stunning story of love and remembrance. See you there!
