Labs
Assistant Professor
TXB 1014
Media and Internet Culture, Creative Cities, Urban Culture
I am looking for part-time RA from CUHKSZ students, who are familiar with Shenzhen Nanyou Clothing Market, Shuibei Gold Market, Hanfu/新中式 enthusiasts. It is better if you have research experience in conducting digital ethnography on e-commerce live streaming platforms. Please contact me if you are interested.
Media and Cultural Studies; Creative Industries, ACG and TV Studies; Cultural Policy and Markets; Algorithm and Platform Governance; Fans, Social Media and Pop Culture.
As an ethnographer, I operate beyond traditional laboratory confines, so I named it NOT Lab ;). I use this page to showcase my ongoing projects and research groups.
We are dedicated to exploring the complex relationships between youth consumers, pop culture, governance, and digital media through innovative ethnographic research.
1. “My idol is a national treasure”: Fandom, Idolization, and Multispecies Ethnography of Giant Panda
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan
Group Member: CAI Jia-Ning, Sichuan University, China
This project delves into the unique fandom surrounding giant pandas, exploring how these beloved creatures are idolized as national treasures. Through a multispecies ethnographic lens, we investigate the cultural significance of pandas, examining the intertwining of human emotions, conservation efforts, and the tourism industry. Our aim is to understand how this idolization shapes community identities and influences conservation narratives.
2. Hanfu Revival Community for fans and Hanfu Photography for Tourists
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu; Shandong; Guangzhou, Guangdong
Group Member: Yvonne Yan YU, Leiden University, The Netherlands
This project focuses on the activities of Hanfu revival enthusiasts and the construction of national identity within their communities. We also examine the commercialization of Hanfu in tourist attractions, exploring the operational models of this emerging industry and the contentious aspects of modernized interpretations of traditional attire.
3. E-commerce Live Streaming of Traditional Physical Markets in the Greater Bay Area
Location: Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Collaborative Partners: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
This ongoing project explores the transformative role of e-commerce live streaming in revitalizing traditional markets within the GBA. We are currently collaborating with CUHK to investigate how digital platforms are reshaping consumer experiences, social relations, power structures and cultural exchanges in these vibrant marketplaces. Updates will be provided soon.
