Yue Cui

Profile

I am a PhD student at the University of Leeds, specializing in modern East Asian history. My research focuses on the intersection of imperialism, biopolitics, and social history, particularly concerning labor, narcotics, and bodily regulation in Manchuria from 1905 to 1945. Originally from Inner Mongolia, I have a profound interest in the history of China's frontiers, especially in modern Northeast China.

From 2015 to 2019, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in History in the ethnic minority regions of Southwest China, focusing on ethnic identity, folk culture, and clan relationships in frontier areas, and conducted extensive oral history research. In 2020, I entered the University of York for my Master’s degree in Modern History, where I focused on the historical status of gender during the Republic of China period. In 2022, I became a high school history teacher in Beijing, where my work deepened my understanding and reflection on China's modern colonial history and strengthened my commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.

My combined academic background and professional experience enable me to uncover the nuanced interplay between Japanese imperial policies and the everyday lives of Chinese migrant laborers and soldiers of the Kwantung Army.

Research interests

I am especially interested in how the Japanese Empire exerted influence in Manchuria from 1905 to 1945, examining the socio-political dynamics and regulatory mechanisms applied to Chinese migrant laborers and soldiers. My work investigates the biopolitical control of bodies through narcotics, sex, and diseases, exploring the lived experiences of non-elite populations and their contributions to the construction of modern infrastructure and industrial enterprises. Through my research, I aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the regulatory frameworks and imperial policies that shaped the lives of marginalized groups in Manchuria.

Keywords: Imperial and Colonial History, Manchuria, Biopolitics, Labor, Narcotics, Sex and Diseases, Sino-Japanese Relations, Kwantung Army

Qualifications

• PhD, History, University of Leeds (UK)
• MA, History, University of York (UK)
• BA, History, Jishou University (China)