Dr. Larissa Lai

Biography

Larissa Lai is a professor at the University of Toronto, where she holds the Richard Charles Lee Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies, and is a member of the Graduate Faculty. She is an accomplished author of nine books, including the novel 'Lost Century', which explores the lives of sisters in 1940s Hong Kong. Lai's works have garnered numerous awards, such as the Lambda Literary Award and the Astraea Award. Her research interests span Asian Canadian Literature, Indigenous Literature, and Speculative Fiction, among others. She has been instrumental in organizing events focused on race and literature, such as 'Yellow Peril: Reconsidered' and 'Writing Thru Race'. Lai has published extensively in well-regarded publications and has contributed significantly to the fields of queer theory, poetry, and poetics. There is a notable emphasis in her work on the intersections of race, identity, and community, reflecting her commitment to understanding and representing marginalized voices in literature. Her scholarly and creative offerings aim to challenge and expand the literary canon, providing insights into the complex experiences of Asian Canadians.

Research Interests