ABOUt ME
I am a PhD candidate in Anthropology at UC Irvine, with interdisciplinary expertise in legal, financial, and medical anthropology. My research critically engages with issues of aging, kinship, and care in contemporary China, offering new insights into how families and elders navigate the complex intersections of law, economy, and social relationships at the end of life.
Originally from China, I’ve lived in Tokyo and Durham, North Carolina, before landing in Irvine for my PhD program. Each move—and the process of building new communities along the way—has deepened my curiosity and shaped how I see the world. When I’m not working, I enjoy trying out new recipes, doodling, photographing everyday beauty, and practicing yoga (with occasional wobbles included).
FIELDWORK
My fieldwork research investigates how legal, financial, moral, kinship, and policy factors intersect to shape family and elderly decision-making in late-life care. From late 2022 to 2024, I conducted fourteen months of dissertation research in China. My research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation.
Research Focus
Her academic work investigates how cultural and social factors influence aging experiences and end-of-life practices in China. Through ethnographic studies, she seeks to shed light on the needs and rights of the elderly, advocating for ethical policy reforms.
Professional Values
Fei is committed to ethical research, community engagement, and the advancement of policies that promote dignity and agency for seniors. She believes in integrating academic insights with practical solutions to foster compassionate caregiving.
Personal Philosophy
Dedicated to understanding aging as a social journey, Fei values integrity, empathy, and interdisciplinary approaches. Her goal is to contribute meaningful knowledge that supports aging populations and enhances societal well-being.
Contact
FYUAN6@UCI.EDU
Feel free to connect for collaborations, questions, or discussions about aging research and policy development impacting elderly communities in China and beyond.
STAY TUNED
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Fei Yuan 