Hello, and welcome to my userpage. My main fields of interest are Chinese politics and history (the latter is my passion, the former my profession). I have noticed that many articles in both these areas are undeveloped, and I am pleased with the prospect of contributing my time and expertise. There also seems to be lively and intelligent debate on some articles (while others are quiet), and the prospect of working with like-minded individuals on an intellectual project like this appeals to me.

Much of my current research and writing on China relates to state-society relations, protest movements, rule of law and access to justice. I also have an enduring if somewhat more amateur interest in Taoism, Chinese arts, Greek philosophy, and Roman poetry. My contributions in these areas are deliberately minimal, but sometimes my irrepressible love of Plato and Ovid may find manifestation on this encyclopedia.

My username comes from the first story in John Minford's splendid translation of Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. It is among the oddest, quaintest, and most endearing books I own.