Ruixue “Rui” Zhou (周芮雪) is a PhD student in the Department of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She studies medieval East Eurasia—China, Inner Asia, and Korea—and has broader interests in comparative perspectives on empire, nation state, and political thought. Her dissertation seeks to examine the medieval East Eurasian world order after the fall of the Tang empire in 907 C.E. and before the rise of Chinggis Khan in the early thirteenth century, focusing on historical narratives, ideologies and institutions around universal and local rulership.

You can find some of her writings on Substack.

Teaching Assistant:

  • Medieval and Early Modern Europe (HIST 4B) – Winter 2025; Fall 2025
  • Chinese Civilization (HIST 80) – Fall 2024; Winter 2025
  • Twentieth Century U.S. History (HIST 17C) – Spring 2025; Spring 2026
  • Global Development (GLOBL 130) – Spring 2024
  • Introduction to Asian American Studies (ASAM 1) – Winter 2024
  • Global Political Economy (GLOBL 2) – Fall 2023

History Associates Fellowship, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2026

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, Department of Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2023