About the Chair

The Chair in Countries and Cultures of the North focuses on the history and cultures of North America, Europe, Russia, and East Asia using the immense foreign language collections in the specialized reading rooms of the Library of Congress.

One of five Kluge Chairs articulated in the founding documents of The John W. Kluge Center, the Chair in Countries and Cultures of the North is occupied by scholars of great accomplishment chosen for their intellectual and communicative abilities. While in residence they are free to pursue their own research in the Library's collections.

Together, these broadly defined Chairs bring a critical mass of the world's leading thinkers to Washington from all over America and the world. Their presence provides an opportunity for ongoing dialogue with political leaders on matters of importance to civic and political life.

Find more information on Kluge Chairs in the Kluge Center charter.

Most Recent Chair

Dorothy Ko

Kluge Chair in Countries and Cultures of the North (2022)

A native of Hong Kong, Dorothy Ko is Professor of History at Barnard College, Columbia University. Her research and publications have helped establish gender as a category of analysis in Chinese history by showing its relevance for studies in visual and material cultures as well as science and technology. At the Kluge Center her plan is to examine food security and environmental justice in China.

View past chairs