Director
SeungJung Kim, Associate Professor, Department of Art History
director.buddhiststudies@utoronto.ca
SeungJung Kim is an associate professor in the Department of Art History, specializing in Greek art and archaeology. Her background in astrophysics sparked a deep interest in time and temporality, a theme she explores in her research on Archaic and Classical Greek visual culture, including sculpture, vase painting, and monumental painting. She situates these artistic traditions within the broader cultural, philosophical, social, literary, and scientific contexts of ancient Greece.
She also has a strong interest in Ancient Gandhara, having published on the cross-cultural influences shaping early Buddhist art and material culture. A trained archaeologist, she has worked in Sicily and Greece and oversees the Toronto chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America.
Coordinator, Administration and Events
Betsy Moss
buddhiststudies@utoronto.ca
Betsy, who holds a doctorate from the University of Toronto’s Art History Department, has been part of the Ho Centre since 2018. During her secondment with the Collaborative Digital Humanities Initiative (CDHI) and the Historical Studies Department at UTM, Sam Keravica served as the Centre’s administrative and event coordinator. As the Centre’s primary point of contact, Betsy is available to assist with events, programs, research support, and administrative matters.
Advisory Board
The role of the Advisory Board was established in accordance with the founding agreement from May 5, 2016. The Advisory Board provides strategic consultation, support, guidance, and oversight for HCBS programming commitments, financial decisions, and initiatives. Through deliberation, ideation, recommendations, and high-level decision making, the Advisory Board guides HCBS to achieve its mission to promote excellence in research and teaching of Buddhist studies at the University of Toronto. The Board is composed of the HCBS Director, the Chair of the DSR, and five faculty members, and it meets several times annually.
For 2025–2026, the Advisory Board includes:
- SeungJung Kim, Director of HCBS and Associate Professor, Dept. of Art History (FAS)
- Pamela Klassen, Chair of DSR and Professor, Dept. for the Study of Religion (FAS)
- Christoph Emmrich, Associate Professor, Dept. for the Study of Religion (FAS)
- Rory Lindsay, Assistant Professor, Dept. for the Study of Religion (FAS)
- Sarah Richardson, Assistant Professor Teaching Stream (Continuing), Dept. of Historical Studies (UTM)
- Matthew Walton, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Political Science (FAS)
- Frances Garrett, Associate Professor, Dept. for the Study of Religion (FAS), and former director of HCBS
