Xiaoxi Zhang, (On leave)

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., University of Michigan

Campus Image

Education

  • Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • M.A. in Hispanic & Lusophone Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
  • B.A. in Portuguese Language and Literature, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China

  • Courses

  • Toni Morrison in Dialogue(s): Identity/ies, Language(s), and Love
  • Writing AND/AS Translation
  • Dialogic Engagement and Readings of Literature
  • American Ethnic Literature: Multilingualism and Politics of the Ineffable Tropes
  • Introduction to African American Literature: What is African American Literature
  • Writing World Literatures
  • Composing Research
  • Intermediate Portuguese
  • Portuguese for Spanish Speakers

Teaching Experience

  • Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of English, Ball State University, 2022- 2023
  • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2016-2022
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2012-2015

Biography

Xiaoxi Zhang is a dedicated scholar and educator with a passion for Comparative Literature and World Literatures. She earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Michigan, where she also obtained Graduate Certificates in World Performance Studies and African Studies. Xiaoxi’s research interests encompass Critical Translation Studies, Postcolonialism, Global Black Studies, and Indigenous American Literature, reflecting her commitment to diverse and intersectional perspectives in literary analysis. Her dissertation project, “Decentering Modern Language(s): The Case of Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili,” exemplifies her multidisciplinary approach to literature.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Xiaoxi Zhang has a strong teaching background. Prior to joining Habib University, she served as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of English at Ball State University, where she instructs courses such as “Composing Research”, “Introduction to African American Literature”, and “American Ethnic Literature”. Her teaching portfolio includes various literature and writing courses, showcasing her versatility and dedication to fostering critical thinking and dialogue among students.

Xiaoxi Zhang is also an accomplished scholar with a list of publications and translations in reputable journals. Her research contributions explore topics ranging from translation activism in African literature to the construction of new forms of solidarity through translation. Her dedication to bridging gaps between languages and cultures is evident in her ongoing translation projects.

Xiaoxi Zhang’s extensive professional experience, community service, and commitment to linguistic diversity make her a valuable asset to the field of Comparative Literature and academia as a whole.


Publications

  • “Introduction” (co-authored with Frieda Ekotto and Imani CooperMkandawire) Absinthe: A Journal of World Literature in Translation, Vol. 24. (http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.13469760.0026.102)
  • “Beyond Representation and Translation: Intellectual Activism and the Language Question in African Literature” The International Journal of African Studies, Vol. 1, No. 3. (https://www.svedbergopen.com/files/1634727812_(4)_IJAFRS13052021860K_(p_41 – 61).pdf)
  • “Untranslating Translation: Toward the Construction of a New Form of Solidarity” The Text, Vol. 4, No. 1. (http://thetextjournal.com/text_admin/issue/90551-1-xitjournal.com)
  • “The Life and Work of Paulina Chiziane” On African Writers (“Feizhou Zuojia Lun”), Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. (forthcoming)

Explore More AHSS Faculty Profiles

A

Aaron Mulvany

Associate Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Abdul Rafay Mahmood

Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Abira Ashfaq

Associate Professor of Practice

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Afzal Ahmed Syed

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Ahsan Mashhood

Affiliate Dean's Fellow

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Ahsen Ali

Lecturer

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Alexander Kreger

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Alexei Procyshyn

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Anum Naseer

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Arsalan Pareyal

Faculty Director, Center for South Asian Music (CSAM) and Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Asad Ur Rehman

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Ashkan Bahrani

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

B

Basharat Issa

Faculty Director, Academic Centers and Library; and Lecturer

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

C

Christie Marie Lauder

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Coline Ferrant

Program Director, Social Development and Policy and Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

D

Daniyal Ahmed

Affiliate Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

E

Edward Moad (On leave)

Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Elham Golpushnezhad

Program Director, Communication and Design and Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

F

Farhan Anwar

Associate Professor of Practice

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

G

Gabriel M. Soares

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Gennaro Errichiello

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

H

Hamad Ejaz

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Hasan Habib

Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Haya Fatima Iqbal

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

I

Inamullah Nadeem

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Iqra Kakar

Dean's Fellow

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

J

Jovita Alvares

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

M

Mahreen Zuberi

Visiting Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Maleeha Habib

Assistant Professor of Practice

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Manahil Huda

Lecturer and Director, Institute of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship & Leadership

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Marcia Hermansen

Professor and Lady Fatima Endowed Chair in Women and Divinity

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Mariya Azher

Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Micheal Wegener

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Mirza Muhammad Amir

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Mohammad Moeini Feizabadi

Senior Lecturer

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Muhammad Aatir Khan

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Muhammad Ashar Khan

Affiliate Dean's Fellow

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Muhammad Faraz

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Muhammad Zulqurnain

Affiliate Lecturer

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Muneera Batool

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

N

Nahrain Al-Mousawi

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Naila Pervaiz

Visiting Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Najeeb Jan

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Nauman Naqvi

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Newal Osman

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Nighat Chaudhry

Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Nimra Farooq

Affiliate Dean’s Fellow

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Noman Baig

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design, BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

P

Patrick Murphy

Global Fellow

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Peter Lagerqvist

Global Fellow Candidate

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Peter Polak Springer

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

R

Rajaa Moini

Dean's Fellow

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Rohama Malik

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

S

Saeed Ur Rehman

Associate Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Sahaab Badar Sheikh

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Sarah Zaidi

Visiting Associate Professor of Practice

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Shama Dossa, (On leave)

Associate Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Susanne Kathrin Beiweis

Program Director, Comparative Humanities and Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Syeda Mehr Mustafa

Dean’s Fellow

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Syeda Mehwish Zara Zaidi

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

T

Tajreen Midhat

Lecturer

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Tazeen Hussain (On leave)

Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

V

Varda Nisar

Assistant Professor

BA (Honors) Communication and Design

Y

Yasmeen Jamali

Assistant Professor

BSc (Honors) Social Development and Policy

Yousuf Kerai

Affiliate Associate Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities

Z

Zuha Siddiqui

Assistant Professor of Practice

BA (Honors) Communication and Design