Visual Culture and Japan: Context, Critique and Analysis

Overview

This self-funded PhD project focuses on the analysis of visual culture in, from or in relation to Japan. In particular, we wish to support projects that consider the political dimension of images in relation to, amongst others, identity, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, history, memory, trauma, ideology, geopolitics, and ecology. Contemporary Japanese visual culture provides a particularly rich opportunity for further research due to the country’s vibrant history in ground-breaking cinema, photography, fashion, advertising, graphic design, manga, anime and contemporary art. For this PhD project, we are also open to proposals that push disciplinary boundaries, such as case studies that explore visual culture online, community-based art projects, new media, experimental artworks or other more marginal forms of visual expression. Further to this, we are open to projects that investigate transcultural phenomena, such as the reception of visual culture from Japan abroad or the powerful legacy such images have on perceptions on Japan in the global imagination.

Prospective applicants should be aware that the analysis of images, in relation to their political context(s), will constitute a key aspect of the research. Bearing the centrality of the image in mind, the topic of investigation and the focus of the PhD is primarily driven by the applicant as explored in the PhD proposal. Due to the nature of the research, we are particularly open to proposals with interdisciplinary methodologies relating to a number of academic disciplines including visual culture, visual studies, design history, art history, critical theory, cultural studies, film theory, photography theory, anime and manga studies, East Asian Studies, Japanese Studies or visual anthropology amongst others. In line with our supervisory capacity, the focus of the research should be on contemporary cases of visual culture, however research should display a firm understanding of previous historic periods. The supervision team for this PhD opportunity will include Dr. Marco Bohr, Associate Professor in Design and Digital Arts and Dr. Hui-Ying Kerr, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication and Promotion.

The PhD project is to be completed through the traditional pathway of a PhD by thesis. Applicants interested in this PhD project area are asked to narrow the line of enquiry in a well-defined PhD proposal of no more than 1,500 words (not including references). Under clear headings, the proposal needs to contain the following information: a relevant title for the project, an outline of the chosen research question or focus, a brief overview of existing academic work on or connected to the topic and details of the methodology. Further information and help on writing a research proposal can be found here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/postgraduate/phd/how-to-apply/writing-a-research-proposal Further information about Research Degrees at NTU as well as the application process can be found here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/research-degrees-at-ntu

The successful applicant will join one of the country’s leading art and design schools which has been influencing, inspiring, and innovating since 1843. Buoyed by recent successes such as the QS subject top 100 world ranking, the school has a vibrant, forward-looking and expanding research community where collaboration, experimentation and interdisciplinarity are embraced and actively encouraged. The successful applicant will be part of the Creative Practices, Methods and Analysis CPMA research cluster. More PhD opportunities are listed on the CPMA website: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/groups-and-centres/groups/creative-practices,-methods-and-analysis

Enquiries about this self-funded PhD opportunity can be directed to Dr. Marco Bohr at marco.bohr@ntu.ac.uk.