Biography

I'm a PhD student in History and Philosophy of Science and a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Taking a longue durée approach rooted in visual and material culture, my research traces how knowledge travels across geographies, social boundaries, and disciplines to examine how the practices of marginalised actors consolidate into norms, disciplines, and received impressions. My work has spanned the sixteenth to early twentieth centuries, with a particular emphasis on Chinese-European exchange across the Western Pacific Rim. I love bringing people together around historical objects, keeping projects running smoothly, and making sure that ideas have tangible impact beyond the academy. Alongside research, I've worked closely with collections, taught undergraduates, translated between Chinese and English, volunteered with museums and archives, organised reading groups, and helped run events and conferences. I expect to complete my PhD in 2027 and am exploring next steps that combine research, organisation, and communication. I'm particularly excited about opportunities in scientific and cultural collections, the public sector, and research policy and administration.

Previous Education

University of Cambridge Hist. & Phil. of Sci. & Med. 2023
University of Cambridge Natural Sciences 2022

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhiyu-chen-a4745735b