For Timothy Yang, history isn’t just about the past. It’s also key to understanding how the world came to be.

As an associate professor at the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Yang approaches his research using a “microhistory” perspective, using one event or case study to demonstrate larger themes and global impact. On the surface, his research focuses on Asian history and the role of commodities like food and medicine. Diving deeper, however, reveals how seemingly minor forces can have surprising influence.

Consider an example in Yang’s upcoming book on food security in post-World War II Japan. It’s especially timely, he said, considering how recent events, like the war in Ukraine, have impacted wheat prices around the world. It’s similar to a severe food shortage in late 1940s Japan, which made the country rely heavily on U.S. wheat and contributed to the popularity of ramen in the years that followed.

“Fundamentally, history is about learning how things came into being,” he said. “You can’t understand how things work today without understanding the history behind it.”

In his research and teaching, Yang follows that idea across borders and disciplines, tracing how medicine, business, empire, and food have shaped the modern world.

Read more about Yang and his research.