Dr Mark Meulenbeld

Dr. Mark Meulenbeld serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Culture and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. After earning his MA from Leiden University and PhD from Princeton University, he has established himself as a leading expert in Chinese religious studies, particularly focusing on the intersection of Daoism and popular religion. His groundbreaking work "Demonic Warfare: Daoism, Territorial Networks, and the History of a Ming Novel" examines how Daoist exorcist rituals influenced vernacular novels during the Ming dynasty. His research uniquely bridges the gap between religious practices and literary traditions, exploring the relationships between demons, gods, ritual lore, and narrative traditions in Chinese culture. He teaches courses on Traditional Chinese Culture and Religious Daoism, bringing his expertise to both undergraduate and graduate levels. His scholarly contributions extend to fieldwork on Daoism in Hunan and Taiwan, demonstrating his commitment to understanding both historical and contemporary religious practices. Through his research and teaching, he illuminates the complex interplay between religious rituals, territorial networks, and literary traditions in Chinese culture.