In Memoriam: Lucas Ressang
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Lucas Ressang, a valued member of our Asian Studies community. Lucas was a dedicated and thoughtful student whose intellectual curiosity and passion for learning left a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working with him.
Through his studies, Lucas demonstrated a keen interest in China, philosophy, and contemporary affairs, always willing to take on challenging topics with depth and determination. When Lucas first came to Leiden as a guest student, he was committed to learning Chinese by following Mandarin classes in the Bachelor in China studies and studying abroad in Taiwan. In September 2023, Lucas joined the Master Asian studies, where he further developed his interests in Chinese history, politics and current affairs. He showed a keen interest in the modern history of China, and in particular in the question of how past experiences have shaped Chinese worldviews and how these in turn have influenced and continue to influence China's interactions with the outside world.
Lucas stood out for his eagerness and ability to connect the diverse themes covered in class with urgent contemporary issues, such as climate change, the energy transition and human rights and to reflect on them in an intelligent way. It showed his desire not only to learn and absorb new things, but also to make use of that knowledge and these insights in his career path and for society.
In spring 2024, Lucas also developed an innovative internship project focused on the question of to what extent ‘authenticity’ was important for their clients in purchasing Asian objects for interior design purposes. During the time of his internship, Lucas was able to bring together all the aspects that fascinated him so much: the aesthetics of Asian art objects, the importance of beauty in nature and the presence of that beauty in our surroundings, the spiritual meanings of objects and spaces, but also the elements that make up a successful business: understanding clients and their needs and interests. In his internship, he managed the delicate task of combining serious engagement with the scholarly world and the requirements of the business. The resulting report stands as a testimony to the tremendous talent Lucas had for communication and collaboration, for scholarly research and the social and economic needs of the world around him.
His ability to engage thoughtfully with complex ideas, take feedback with professionalism, and continuously strive for improvement was truly commendable. This dedication was visible throughout his classes, as well as in his MA thesis, in which he explored how Confucian ideas had made their way into Chinese foreign policy. He continued to study with us after completing this intriguing work and was considering a second specialization, again demonstrating his enthusiasm for academic research and for our Asian studies community.
Lucas will be remembered not only for his academic dedication but also for his reflective and inquisitive spirit. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, teachers, and fellow students during this difficult time.
On behalf of the BA China studies and MA Asian studies,
Aya Ezawa
Program chair, MA Asian studies
If you need support
We understand that Lucas’ passing may affect his fellow students deeply, and they may want to reach out for help. For advice on their studies and any other concerns students can contact the study advisers for China studies (stucochina@hum.leidenuniv.nl) and the MA Asian studies (StucoMAAS@hum.leidenuniv.nl) for advice and support. You can also make an appointment with a student psychologist (071 - 527 8026; psychologen@sea.leidenuniv.nl) by following this link. An overview of resources can be found here. Please do not hesitate to seek support