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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jianguo Leng
Host of Stochastic Volatility
Media professional. She received her degree from the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We look forward to meeting you in the resonance of soundwaves and words.
