Faculty Associate
jli[at]yorku.ca
Associate Professor
Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, York University
Research Keywords:
Modern and contemporary Chinese literature; Chinese Canadian and American literature, film and drama; translation studies; gender studies; Hong Kong studies
Research Region(s):
China, East Asia, Hong Kong
Research Diaspora(s):
East Asian Diaspora
Dr. Jessica Tsui-yan Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics at York University and Past President of the Canadian Comparative Literature Association (CCLA). Holding dual doctorates from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Toronto, she is an internationally engaged scholar of comparative literature, film studies, self-translation, diaspora studies and transcultural exchange. Her research advances understanding of the intersections among language, literature, film, identity and cultural mobility, and has made significant contributions to the theorization of self-translation as a transformative process through which authors negotiate language, culture, and selfhood in the reconstruction of identity. Equally, her scholarship and disciplinary leadership have contributed to broadening the scope of comparative literature and film studies by promoting diversity, fostering intercultural dialogue, and strengthening connections between academic inquiry and community engagement. A frequent keynote speaker and collaborator in international research initiatives, Dr. Li engages with scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners across Asia and North America. Widely recognized for her excellence in teaching and mentorship, she encourages students to critically examine the cultural, social and political dimensions of language, media and representation while cultivating intellectual curiosity and global perspectives.
As Past President of the Canadian Comparative Literature Association (CCLA), Dr. Li has contributed to the advancement of comparative literature through scholarly leadership, international collaboration and the development of academic networks that bring together researchers across disciplines, institutions and cultural traditions. She has organized conferences, seminar series and research panels for major scholarly associations, including the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), the American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA), the Modern Language Association (MLA), the International Comparative Literature Association (ICLA), the Canadian Comparative Literature Association, and the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association (RMMLA). Her publications, which include books, peer-reviewed articles, edited collections, encyclopedia entries, translations and scholarly reviews, have contributed to international conversations on language, identity, cultural belonging, diaspora and transcultural exchange. Her books, including Eileen Chang: The Performativity of Self-Translation (Brill 2025) and The Transcultural Streams of Chinese Canadian Identities (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2019), offer influential perspectives on self-translation, cultural identity formation and the evolving experiences of diasporic communities across generations.
Beyond her academic work, Dr. Li is committed to connecting scholarly inquiry with public humanities, community engagement and intercultural understanding. She regularly shares her passion for music through volunteer performances that support the well-being and social inclusion of seniors, including at Mon Sheong Foundation care homes, Yee Hong Garden Terrace, Newmarket Health Centre and Richmond Hill Christian Community Church. She also facilitates community dialogue initiatives, performs at the Hong Kong University Alumni Association of Ontario annual dinner, and collaborates with Across U-hub to support youth mentorship, leadership development and cross-cultural exchange. Through the integration of research, teaching, artistic practice and service, Dr. Li has contributed to the advancement of cross-cultural understanding, public humanities and community engagement, creating meaningful connections between academic inquiry and community settings.