Dr. Ian Shin

Biography

Ian Shin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Michigan, specializing in social cultural history with a focus on Asian American history and the U.S. Pacific World from 1850 to 1950. As a first-generation American born in Hong Kong and raised in California, he brings a unique perspective to his teaching and research. His scholarly work is driven by his training in historical methods and a dedication to critical race and ethnic studies. He authored the book "Imperial Stewards: Chinese Art Making America's Pacific Century" published by Stanford University Press in 2025. In addition, he has published an article in the Amerasia Journal discussing the Boy Scout movement in New York’s Chinatown during World War II and a book chapter analyzing the role of colleges and universities in U.S.-China relations with respect to Asian immigration in the long 19th century, using Amherst College as a case study. Currently, he is working on a new book project titled "Mounting Tensions: Museums, Politics, and Asian American History," which examines how museums and historical societies served as forms of activism during the 1960s Asian American Movement. He is also completing an article-length study about the forgotten history of interracial adoption of white children by Chinese parents during the Exclusion Era. In his role, he serves as the Associate Director of the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies and is an active member of the University of Michigan Senate Assembly, regularly speaking on AAPI issues for community groups and corporations, as well as contributing to media outlets including BBC World Service and PBS News.

Research Interests

Courses