Prof. Lai Ming-chiu received his BA and MPhil degrees from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1982 and 1985, respectively. He furthered his studies in Canada and graduated with a PhD degree in 1995 from the University of Toronto. Professor Lai’s research mainly focuses on bamboo slips and wooden documents of the Qin-Han periods. He is also interested in the political and social history of the Qin-Han and Wei-Jin Dynasties.

Professor Lai published a number of articles on issues related to social control of Han China. Currently, he finished a book manuscript, titled Power Convergence and Social Order: The Study of Local Society of the Han Empire. (Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press, forthcoming). This work explores the interaction between the Han Empire and its civilians. It also discusses the central government’s implementation of imperial control across the empire.