Alumni Spotlight Interview with Yu Zhang

“When I think back to my time in Stanford’s Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, what stands out most to me is how interdisciplinary the environment was. Even though my main focus was in literature, I constantly benefitted from the fact that my professors were deeply knowledgeable not just in literary studies, but also in fields like philosophy and anthropology.

The faculty were so widely trained — you could bring them ideas that crossed disciplinary or methodological boundaries, and they would know exactly how to guide you. Their intellectual range really encouraged me to think more broadly about my own work.

Even now, ten years later, I still find myself returning to books they recommended back then. Those readings continue to shape how I approach research and teaching.

Another remarkable aspect was the openness across different subfields. Although I specialized in modern topics, I learned a tremendous amount from pre-modern professors, and even from those working in other language tracks. There was a real sense of curiosity and dialogue throughout the department.

The students, too, were incredibly engaged. We often exchanged references, collaborated on ideas, and connected with other departments — especially History — which made for a wonderfully rich intellectual community.

Looking back, I realize how formative that interdisciplinary spirit was. It’s something I’ve carried into my own work as a scholar and teacher.”

- Yu Zhang, Ph.D. in Chinese Literature ’14. Associate Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University