Dr. Maura Dykstra

Biography

Maura Dykstra is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Yale University, specializing in the history of Ming and Qing China. She is particularly interested in comparative histories surrounding the transitions from empire to nation-state and the institutions of governance at local levels. Her recent research projects focus on the administrative practices of the Qing state in the eighteenth century, examining how local litigation cases have transformed the understanding of legal history in China. Dykstra’s notable publication, 'Uncertainty Empire Routine: Administrative Revolution Eighteenth-Century Qing State', published by Harvard University Asia Center Press in 2022, provides a comprehensive insight into the development of Qing bureaucracy and its implications for governance. Additionally, she leads a working group on the Chinese Legal Tradition at the Max Planck Institute, fostering discussions on the procedural foundations of law administration in Chinese history. Dykstra has held fellowships at several prestigious institutions, including Harvard University and the East China Normal University, and has contributed significantly to the field through her research on the socio-political dynamics of the Qing Empire.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards