Xinyi Wei
Princeton
Summary
Princeton Humanities PhD Candidate specializing in cultural translation. Transforms complex historical concepts into accessible programming for diverse audiences. Seeking roles in museum education, cultural heritage preservation, or public humanities.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Media Team Fellow, Religion and the Public Conversation Project
Princeton University
08.2023 - Current
- Produce and edit multimedia content for public education, transforming academic conversations into accessible formats across multiple platforms
- Develop original podcast episodes exploring intersections of religion, culture, and society for diverse audiences
- Assess audience needs and develop targeted content strategies to effectively communicate complex academic research to non-specialist audiences
- Apply project management methodologies to content development workflows, ensuring timely delivery of media assets
- Collaborate with scholars to identify key concepts that will resonate with target community audiences
- Create educational materials to accompany academic programming, enhancing audience understanding and engagement
Research Project Director, 'Slavery Under the Mongol Empire'
Princeton University
01.2020 - Current
- Led first comprehensive interdisciplinary study on slavery under the Mongol Empire, spanning Islamic, Chinese, and Slavery Studies
- Designed innovative research methodology for analyzing multilingual primary sources (Arabic, Persian, Chinese) across diverse genres
- Created ethical framework for representing marginalized historical populations in scholarly and public contexts
- Developed analytical approaches for interpreting complex historical material for diverse audiences
- Organized research findings in accessible formats suitable for both academic and public engagement
- Applied comparative analysis to synthesize patterns across seemingly unrelated cultural traditions
- Managed multi-year research project with clear deliverables, milestones, and timeline adherence
Curator and Project Manager, 'Eats Meets East' Film Series
Princeton University
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Conceived and managed thematic film series creating dialogue between Middle Eastern and East Asian film traditions
- Secured $6,000+ in funding through grant applications and departmental partnerships for featured filmmaker visits
- Developed targeted audience engagement strategies resulting in consistent attendance of 30+ participants for specialized academic programming
- Designed innovative cross-cultural programming connecting Middle Eastern and East Asian film traditions through thematic frameworks of 'Queerness' and 'Migration/Diaspora'
- Created contextual materials highlighting cultural nuances for audiences with varied background knowledge
- Conducted post-event assessments to refine programming approaches and improve audience experience
- Allocated resources effectively across multiple events while maintaining quality programming
- Negotiated with departments and campus partners to secure venues, technical support, and promotional assistance
- Facilitated post-screening discussions connecting film content to relevant cultural and academic contexts
Preceptor, EAS 280 Nomadic Empires: From the Scythian Confederation to the Mongol Conquest
Princeton University
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Designed and delivered engaging lesson plans for undergraduate students with diverse knowledge backgrounds
- Facilitated discussions on complex historical and cultural concepts, ensuring accessibility for all students
- Provided constructive feedback on student writing and research to improve critical thinking skills
- Collaborated with lead faculty on course objectives and assessment strategies
Preceptor, SOC 211 Sociology of Religion
Princeton University
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Led discussion sections helping students understand complex sociological theories through accessible explanations
- Created innovative activities to make challenging texts and concepts engaging and relevant
- Mentored students through research projects and writing assignments
- Developed assessment methods to evaluate student comprehension of complex material
Library Services Assistant
Princeton University Library
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided front desk services and specialized research assistance to graduate students and faculty
- Conducted needs assessment of library patrons to improve resource accessibility and user experience
- Developed strategic approaches to connect users with appropriate resources based on their research needs
- Created informal educational moments with patrons, translating complex research methodologies into accessible guidance
- Collaborated with library staff on initiatives to improve user experience and accessibility of resources
Education
PhD - Near Eastern Studies
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ12.2025
Master of Arts - Middle Eastern Studies
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
New York University Abu Dhabi
05.2017
Skills
- Project Management & Planning
- Program development and implementation
- Budget management and resource allocation
- Timeline development and milestone tracking
- Stakeholder engagement and management
- Event planning and coordination
- Audience Development & Outreach
- Community needs assessment
- Educational content development
- Promotional strategy development
- Cross-cultural audience engagement
- Public speaking and presentation
- Ethical framing of sensitive historical and cultural content for diverse audiences
- Research & Content Development
- Comparative cultural analysis across diverse traditions
- Interdisciplinary analysis connecting disparate fields
- Educational materials development
- Accessible content creation for diverse audiences
- Visual content curation and selection
- Information synthesis and presentation
- Primary source analysis and contextualization
- Methodological innovation for addressing gaps in historical and cultural records
- Education & Program Design
- Content Development
- Research & Analysis
- Cross-Cultural Expertise
- Digital Media Production
Fellowships And Awards
Laurance S. Rockefeller Graduate Prize Fellowship, Princeton University Center for Human Values, 08/01/23, 05/31/24
Selected Presentations
- Premodern Unfreedoms: Global Approaches to Exploitation, Enslavement, and Trafficking, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 10/01/23, Spectrums of Unfreedom: Marriage and Slavery Practices in the Early Mongol Empire
- Slaves and States in Medieval Eastern Eurasia, 600-1400, Association for Asian Studies, Boston, 2023, Slavery, Dependency, and the Pax Mongolica under the Mongol World Empire
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
Persian
Professional Working
German
Professional Working
Japanese
Professional Working
Timeline
Media Team Fellow, Religion and the Public Conversation Project
Princeton University
08.2023 - Current
Preceptor, EAS 280 Nomadic Empires: From the Scythian Confederation to the Mongol Conquest
Princeton University
09.2022 - 12.2022
Curator and Project Manager, 'Eats Meets East' Film Series
Princeton University
01.2022 - 01.2023
Preceptor, SOC 211 Sociology of Religion
Princeton University
01.2022 - 05.2022
Library Services Assistant
Princeton University Library
01.2021 - 01.2022
Research Project Director, 'Slavery Under the Mongol Empire'
Princeton University
01.2020 - Current
Master of Arts - Middle Eastern Studies
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
New York University Abu Dhabi
PhD - Near Eastern Studies
Princeton University
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