Event Highlights

Xenophobia in the Time of Coronavirus | 2020 Spring Semester

The panel discussion, “Xenophobia in the Time of Coronavirus: Culture, Race & Stigma,” were joined by three panelists: Joanna Waley-Cohen, Provost of NYU Shanghai and Professor of History; Lin Yao, Ph.D. candidate at Yale Law School, public intellectual and activist; and Qiu Yu, lecturer in Social Anthropology at Minzu University of China. The panelists discussed the social, political and historical contexts in which China’s citizens, members of its diaspora and people of Asian descent have been stigmatized as carriers of contagion in the time of COVID-19. Looking at both history and the current phenomenon, the panelists examined narratives that link the imagining of an infectious disease with the imagining of “the other.” In addition, the panelists commented on the recent reports of xenophobic incidents targeting African nationals in China, highlighting the historical and psychological roots of racial prejudice.

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Women in the Time of Coronavirus | 2020 Spring Semester

More than half of the doctors and more than 90% of the nurses on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Hubei are women, according to the Shanghai Women’s Federation. In various COVID-19 relief efforts initiated by civil society groups and individuals, women have also been playing an active and significant role. Nonetheless, when it comes to mainstream media representation, while there are many positive stories of women working on the front line, their professional contributions are often portrayed as a sacrifice at the expense of their femininity and care-taking duty fulfillment. Meanwhile, there is a lack of attention to the needs of the female medical workers such as their demand for feminine hygiene products.

At this online event, we talked about women’s contributions in COVID-19 response as well as how their contributions often get misrepresented while their actual needs are overlooked. In addition, panelists highlighted actions and counter efforts initiated by women that challenge the status quo of biases and inequality during the outbreak.

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Past Meets Future: A Journey to Your Academic Interests

Academic Advising is hosting a one hour hands-on workshop to unpack your past and explore future options. The workshop will be run by Peer Advisors and Academic Advisors who will take you through the Wandering Map and Odyssey Plan toolkit.
Who’s Afraid of Feminism: A Panel Discussion | 2019 Spring Semester

Who’s Afraid of Feminism” is an earnest and thought-provoking discussion on feminism across generations and societies. The panel presented diverse views on heated topics, from the gendered division of labor at home, to women in workplaces, from the history of feminist movement in the West to feminist activism in today’s China.
Celebrate Women | 2019 Spring Semester

Created by Nicole Chan ’13, CELEBRATE WOMEN is a commentary on the diversity and complexity of the female identity. In this photography initiative, women are invited to respond to the question:“What empowers you?” Each participant is photographed with a personal empowerment symbol (or symbols), and given creative control over the visual narrative, with technical support from an experienced photographer.

The project aims to address issues such as the lack of female representation in the art world, lack of varied female representation in the media, and the objectification and simplification of women. In Spring 2019, student photographers photographed more than 50 NYU Shanghai community members. The photos were later exhibited in the Allyship in Action Lounge on the 6th floor of the Academic Building.
A Conversation with Michelle Kwan | 2018 Fall Semester

Figure skating legend Michelle Kwan shared bubble tea with a group of students, and answered their questions about her career, the Asian American experience, and her political activism.
Games of Humanity | 2018 Spring Semester

Can gaming be a tool to promote equal representation, inclusivity, and social justice? Games for Humanity provided the participants a chance to have fun while reflecting on global inequality, the gender pay gap, and racism through board games, video games, and trivia.

Konrad Krawczyk '19, Esther Zhirui Yao '20, Emilio Madrazo '20 and Lina Mishachkovska '21 coordinated the event.