Dr. Graham Johnson

Biography

Graham E. Johnson is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia. His academic journey began at the University of Southampton, where he graduated with a degree in economics and sociology in 1963. Johnson's early work and research interests centered on Chinese communities, specifically in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong province. His experiences as a tutor in the Chinese army and interactions with notable scholars at the London School of Economics encouraged him to pursue extensive studies in Chinese sociology and anthropology. Johnson has published numerous influential books and articles that examine the complexities of Chinese immigration, urbanization, and social change, making significant contributions to the field of sociology. His research has continually focused on the transformation of rural communities and the interplay between original inhabitants and migrants in newly industrialized contexts. In 1970, he joined UBC and has since dedicated his career to educating students about the dynamics of migration and social change, ensuring that critical aspects of the Chinese diaspora are understood within Canadian contexts. Johnson's collaborations with various international research centers have further underscored his commitment to enhancing scholarly exchanges between Canada and China.

Research Interests

Experience