Dr. James Robson

Biography

James Robson is a Faculty Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and holds the title of Yunli Lou Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. He is also the Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute, where he oversees a variety of scholarly activities that focus on East Asian studies. Robson specializes in the history of medieval Chinese Buddhism and Daoism, with particular interest in local religious histories and the development of sacred geographies associated with religious practices. He has authored several works on talismans and religious art, contributing substantially to the understanding of Chan/Zen Buddhism in its historical context. His research not only highlights the historical developments within Buddhism but also emphasizes the interconnectedness of Buddhist practices with local cultural elements. With a keen focus on how religious communities historically engaged with their environments, Robson builds a comprehensive narrative of religious transformations in China.

Research Interests

Experience