Tamara Jacka, Emeritus Professor at The Australian National University, shares her insights on the transformative experiences in Ginkgo Village, rural China. She discusses the impact of traumatic historical events, like the civil war and famine during the Great Leap Forward, on villagers’ lives. Jacka emphasizes the importance of ethnographic storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. The conversation also delves into evolving gender dynamics, challenges faced during fieldwork, and the resilience of communities navigating socio-economic changes.

Tamara Jacka, Emeritus Professor at The Australian National University, shares her insights on the intricate tapestry of rural Chinese life through her recent work. She delves into Ginkgo Village's traumatic past, marked by civil war and famine, and its dramatic social transformations due to labor migration. Emphasizing empathy, Jacka explores the evolving gender dynamics and the collaborative nature of her ethnographic research. Her storytelling invites listeners to understand the resilience and challenges faced by villagers while illuminating broader socio-cultural shifts in contemporary China.