Speaker: Victor Seow, Assistant Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University
Moderator/discussant: Ling Zhang, Boston College

In this session, Victor Seow, Assistant Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University, will be introducing his recently published book, Carbon Technocracy: Energy Regimes in Modern East Asia (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2022). Centered on the history of what was once largest coal mine in East Asia, this book explores how modern states became embroiled in projects of intensive energy extraction and, in so doing, offers insights into the origins and challenges of our unfolding climate crisis. Victor will be joined by the Fairbank Center’s “Environment in Asia” series convenor Ling Zhang, Associate Professor of History, Boston College, and the two will discuss the meanings and methods of writing a history of energy of China and East Asia, from primary sources to narrative strategies.

Presented via Zoom

Also streaming on YouTube

Transcript: Download Transcript