Dr. Ian Miller

Biography

Ian J. Miller is the Reischauer Institute Professor at Harvard University, specializing in Environmental History. He is the Faculty Dean of Cabot House and is deeply involved in research that examines the relationship between culture and nature in Japan, especially through the lens of historical events such as the Tokyo Imperial Zoo exhibition. He is currently working on a new book, 'Fueling Tokyo: Japan Age Global Energy,' which investigates the history of energy in Tokyo, drawing upon previously closed archives. His research has been funded by various prestigious institutions including the Japan Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Miller’s teaching and research interests encompass urban history, science and technology, and comparative imperialisms, reflecting a commitment to exploring the complexities of modern infrastructure and its political implications. As an advocate for collaborative scholarship, he has co-edited significant works in environmental history and is open to mentoring potential graduate students interested in the fields of History and East Asian Languages. His courses regularly cover topics such as 'Modern Japanese History' and 'Global Environmental History.'

Research Interests