Chu Xiao
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Xiao Chu is a PhD student in social sciences, majoring in "environment and sustainable development" (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Geneva). She's also an associate researcher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Geneva and was a previous journalist and host with China Central Television. Xiao's research focuses on vegetarian practices in present-day China. |
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Research
Vegetarianism is often characterised by values related to the notion of "sustainability" in terms of human health, animal welfare, and ecological issues featured by emission reduction.
In China, although vegetarianism has a long history, such a practice remained relatively marginal for a long time. However, the past decade has witnessed an increase in people going on such a diet, particularly urban residents of higher social status or with comparatively higher income. WeChat, the most popular social media application in China, plays a vital role in establishing vegetarian communities and sharing skills and beliefs around the practice.
This research aims to analyse how contemporary vegetarian consumption is articulated in urban spaces in China. It plans to focus mainly on online data collection within Chinese vegetarian communities on WeChat, the platform where vegetarianism has gained popularity. By examining the embodiment of vegetarianism in the vegetarian communities online, it aims to contribute not only to a more comprehensive understanding of vegetarianism in a global context but also to new insights into social practice and the changes it manifests as it circulates between different societies.
Research interests
Sustainable development, food, social practice, acculturation, social media group, vegetarianism, ethnography.
Ms Xiao Chu
PhD candidate