Dr. Ethan Segal

Biography

Ethan Segal is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Michigan State University, with a research focus that encompasses ancient, medieval, pre-modern, and early modern history, particularly in East Asia with a concentration on Japan. He earned his M.A. from the University of Washington and his Ph.D. from Stanford University. Segal has been recognized as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tokyo and has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Harvard University's Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, specializing in pre-modern Japanese history. His scholarly interests extend to topics such as economic history, nationalism, women and gender studies, and the intersection of history with contemporary popular culture and film. He has published extensively in academic journals and edited volumes, with notable works including his book, "Coins, Trade, State: Economic Growth in Early Medieval Japan," published by Harvard University Press. In this book, he re-examines the dynamics of money, trade, and evolving political and social institutions during the medieval period in Japan.

Research Interests