I wear several hats — and the patched robes of a monk.
As a scholar, I study how societies govern complex technologies under conditions of uncertainty and disagreement. My PhD research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute examined AI governance through the lens of political decision theory, arguing for “democratic intelligence” over purely technical control solutions. From 2019 to 2023, I was a visiting researcher at Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI) and Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), where I worked on AI risk governance and democratic technology policy.
As a translator, I specialize in Japanese–English translation for medical, scientific, and government clients. I have translated 150+ confidential medical records for the United States Armed Forces and dozens of peer-reviewed academic papers across cardiology, forensic pathology, neuroscience, materials science, AI/ML, robotics, cultural anthropology, history, and many other fields. My translations have appeared in journals including the International Journal of Cardiology, Journal of Anesthesia, and Forensic Science International.
As a Zen priest, I am the 17th-generation abbot of Keigakuji, a Soto Zen temple founded not quite 300 years ago in the Edo period. I lead zazen meditation sessions, deliver dharma talks, and maintain the temple’s role in the community. I completed my monastic training at Daieiji in Niigata and received dharma transmission in the lineage of Kodo Sawaki.
I was born in Bloomington, Indiana, studied Japanese literature at Vassar College, have lived in Japan for about 10 years. I hold JLPT N1 certification (the highest level of Japanese proficiency) and am a native English speaker. I live with my wife and child in Nagaoka, Niigata — a region known for its heavy snowfall, excellent sake, and the Phoenix Fireworks Festival held every summer. I live in Yomogihira, a small village of about 100 people, next to Yamakoshi village, famous for its “bull sumo” and koi fisheries, where I help out with cultural tourism initiatives.
Education
PhD, Science & Technology Studies — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2019
Visiting Researcher/Affiliate — Stanford University HAI & CISAC, 2019–2023
BA, Japanese Literature & Language — Vassar College, 2008
JLPT N1 Certification — Japanese Language Proficiency Test, 2012
Current Projects
- Book: Zen and the Art of AI Governance — a crossover scholarly work bridging democratic theory, technology policy, and contemplative practice
- Translation: The 100 Stories of Buddhism by Fumio Masutani — bringing a masterwork of Japanese religious scholarship to English readers
- Temple: Cultural experience programs for international visitors at Keigakuji
Contact
The best way to reach me is by email: shunryu.garvey@gmail.com
For translation inquiries, please include project details (word count, subject matter, deadline) and I’ll respond within 24 hours.