Biography of Kimberly Hayes Chong: A Pioneer in Social Anthropology

Kimberly Chong is a distinguished social anthropologist whose work has significantly contributed to our understanding of financialization, particularly within the context of contemporary China. Her interdisciplinary approach, combining economics, sociology, and anthropology, offers a nuanced perspective on how global economic practices influence local cultures and societies.

Academic Background and Career

Dr. Chong’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from the University of Cambridge in 2004. She furthered her studies with a Master of Science in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2006, followed by a Ph.D. in Anthropology from LSE in 2012.

University of Sussex

Her doctoral research delved into the practices and logics of financialization propagated by a global management consultancy in China. This involved 16 months of immersive fieldwork within the China branch of a major consultancy firm, providing her with firsthand insights into the intersection of global economic ideologies and Chinese corporate culture.

Institute for New Economic Thinking

Research Focus and Contributions

Dr. Chong’s research encompasses several key areas:

• Financialization and Anthropology of Finance: She examines how financial principles and practices are integrated into everyday life, influencing economic and political subjectivities.
• Techniques of Valuation and Commensuration: Her work explores how value is assigned and measured within different economic systems, shedding light on the ethical implications of these processes.
• Corporate Ethicizing and Economic Decision-Making: Dr. Chong investigates how corporations adopt ethical stances and how these positions affect economic choices and behaviors.

Her interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between economic theories and anthropological insights, providing a comprehensive understanding of how global financial practices are localized within specific cultural contexts.

Publications and Notable Works

One of Dr. Chong’s seminal works is her book titled Best Practice: Management Consulting and the Ethics of Financialization in China, published by Duke University Press in 2018. This publication offers an in-depth analysis of how management consulting serves as a conduit for financialization in China, highlighting the ethical dimensions of this process.

University of Sussex

Additionally, her scholarly articles have been featured in reputable journals. For instance, her paper titled “Constructing conviction through action and narrative: how money managers manage uncertainty and the consequence for financial market functioning,” published in Socio-Economic Review, examines the strategies employed by financial professionals to navigate market uncertainties.

Google Scholar

Academic Appointments and Affiliations

Dr. Chong has held esteemed positions in academia. She serves as a Research Fellow at the Psychoanalysis Centre of University College London (UCL), where she continues her interdisciplinary research. Her affiliation with UCL allows her to collaborate with scholars across various disciplines, enriching her research endeavors.

Institute for New Economic Thinking

Furthermore, she is associated with the Sussex Asia Centre at the University of Sussex, contributing to the center’s mission of advancing the study of Asia’s global and regional interactions.

University of Sussex

Impact on the Field

Dr. Chong’s work has been instrumental in shedding light on the complexities of financialization in non-Western contexts. By focusing on China, she provides valuable insights into how global economic practices are adapted and transformed within different cultural settings. Her research underscores the importance of understanding local nuances in the study of global economic phenomena.

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Kimberly Chong’s contributions to the fields of anthropology and finance are both profound and far-reaching. Her interdisciplinary approach and in-depth analyses offer a unique perspective on the ethical and cultural dimensions of financialization in contemporary China. As global economic dynamics continue to evolve, her work remains a vital resource for scholars and practitioners seeking to understand the intricate interplay between global financial practices and local cultural contexts