Yanli Jin

My research focuses on cultural anthropology, multi-species ethnography, and wildlife conservation. Inspired by stories of elephants, my research reflects upon empirical research questions and exploratory questions about relationships. My true aim is to explore the epistemology of relationships. Not only do I think that the ambivalent and intimate human-elephant relationship is worth studying, but also, I believe that behind the human-elephant relationship, there are human relationships and cumulative behaviors that constantly shape and change these relationships. In my previous research, I  explored the shifting stages of rainforest governance in protected areas and how their governance has changed, resulting in different human-elephant relationships, as well as determine the ways the Xishuangbanna rainforest can better foster a harmonious coexistence of humans and wildlife. I hope I can tell a multi-species ethnographic story that allows elephants to become us and us to become elephants.