The Premodern China Initiative (PCI) is an interdisciplinary hub dedicated to enriching Brown’s intellectual community by supporting research and learning of China’s rich historical past—from antiquity to the late imperial period. The initiative draws on our institution’s existing strengths in the fields of art history, literature, religious studies, and history. It emerged organically from faculty collaborations, reading groups, and intellectual events that continue to bring together undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty dedicated to the study of China’s past.

PCI aims to serve students and scholars of historical China across all stages of their career at Brown. The study of historical China at Brown is distinguished by rigorous training in traditional disciplines, and opportunities to work closely with faculty in fields beyond their own. This interdisciplinary cross-fertilization encourages students and scholars to develop fresh perspectives and pursue innovative research topics. PCI is focused on fostering existing and experimental inter-departmental collaborations and inter-generational cooperative learning.