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
Sam Keravica
buddhiststudies@utoronto.ca
A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Cognitive Science and Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health programs, Sam has been actively involved with Buddhist studies and the Ho Centre through various projects for many years, and began working as the Centre’s administrator and event coordinator in February of 2023. He is often your first point of contact with the Centre and is always happy to be of assistance.
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 2024–2025, 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
