Thomas David DuBois

Thomas David DuBois

Beijing Normal University

Thomas David DuBois is a historian of modern China and professor at Hebei University and in the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Normal University. He is the author of three books and 40 articles on Chinese religion and law during the 20th century. His research on China’s food industries examines the market transformation of state-owned enterprises, outbound investment, the emergence of nostalgic brands, and the circulation of culinary knowledge. In addition to his academic work, DuBois completed culinary training in Sichuan and has interned in numerous restaurant kitchens. He is currently leading an extensive oral history project on China’s pre-revolutionary cattle trade and is completing a book on 5,000 years of Chinese cuisine.

Articles by Thomas David DuBois

Industry

China’s Dairy Industry Going Big

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Extensive and intensive agriculture is being questioned in various parts of the world for its environmental and social costs. But in China, a series of food safety scandals have led the Chinese dairy industry to move towards large integrated farms run by a handful of mega-producers.

Industry

The Driving Forces Behind China’s Agri-Food FDI

Thursday, August 15, 2019

China’s international agriculture investments represent more than a quest for food security.

Population & Society

China’s Food Culture is Changing – Why it Matters

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

A chronicle of current food trends and the danger of bifurcation into two systems – one focused on low cost and value, the other on nutrition and quality.

Technology

China’s Quest for Alternative Proteins

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

A look at China's efforts to use technology to expand food production.