Dr. Paola Zamperini

Biography

Paola Zamperini is an Associate Professor of Chinese Literature in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Northwestern University. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a rich background in Chinese Literature, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Since her recruitment to Northwestern in Summer 2013, she has been instrumental in establishing the new department and developing innovative curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her areas of focus include pre-modern Chinese literature, gender studies, and the intersection of sexuality with different cultural narratives. She is currently involved in numerous administrative roles, including directing the Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, while also participating in various research projects, notably in the field of comparative pornographies. Zamperini's pedagogical mission emphasizes the decolonization of academic fields and the creation of inclusive learning environments, drawing from feminist and queer theories. She has been published extensively, contributing significant works that analyze fashion, gender, and cultural representations in Chinese literature. Her ongoing research continues to explore themes of transnational feminism and the complexities of gender and sexuality in historical and contemporary contexts.

Research Interests

Experience