Current NYU Shanghai Global Research Initiatives Fellows

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (September 11 - October 9) :

Gender rights across cultures and countries, the role of women in societies. How is the “second new wave feminism” affecting nations that have different cultures and traditions? What is expected of them on the world stage as globalization pushes ideas beyond borders? How is feminism taking shape in China, a nation that is heavily protective of its culture and traditions? In what capacity does it allow for “feminism” to take root and shape the view of the younger generations growing up with social media platforms such as Weibo granting access to movements like MeToo and others? China has a lot of history that Bendu would like to use in advancing her research, furthermore, Jeong Min Kim, a teaching fellow at NYU Shanghai, is a gender historian whom she would very much like to have as thesis advisor. Bendu’s research will be greatly improved by spending time in Shanghai.

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 6 - February 6)：

According to a recent Brookings Report, performance in kindergarten is predictive of third grade reading, high school graduation, and future earnings. Additionally, there is no doubt that technology has interjected itself into every piece of people’s lives-- especially young learners. So how can people further prepare children for education while keeping them interested as technology progresses at record rates? Introducing Augmented Reality (AR) Story Books — a complementary mobile app that will allow young children to further engage with their physical books. The first application prototype was developed as a proof of concept that made illustrated book characters come to life using Unity and C#. The research conducted through the Graduate Research Institute in Shanghai will be on the proven methods of learning technology that can be incorporated via AR and the preliminary-production of a new prototype that encompasses these features. Owen will be looking at the methodologies of researchers before her on learning and AR from various levels and documenting her research for future implementation into the next iteration for further testing upon return to Tandon.

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 19 - February 13)：

The working title for Lowry’s thesis is “Higher Education as Investment in Development: Using Singapore as a Model for China.” She will research how Singapore’s higher education model has led to a highly developed society that has attracted increased foreign direct investment, as well as increased development for its citizens. Lowry will take an in-depth look at China’s approach to higher education model, and where it has been flawed at attracting the investment needed for long term, equitable economic growth. She will engage the higher education community at NYU Shanghai and at East China Normal University through interviews and intense research on China’s economic “miracle” to understand how it can implement better policies in higher education to attract long-term investment.

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 11 - February 5)：

Meddles’ project compares the bodily experiences of soldiers in the French army during the invasion of the Tonkin region of Vietnam (1880-1895), with those of soldiers in the American army during the invasion of the Philippines (1899-1915). In particular, he is examining instances of appropriation of indigenous bodily practices, such as those involved in local forms of violence, uniforms, and food. He believes that this appropriation held the potential to both expand and trouble the exercise of colonial power and the stability of a colonial identity among soldiers fighting in these wars. He also seeks to investigate the ways in which republicanism, as a political ideology, forced French and American efforts to wrestle with unique problems and compare their resolutions (or lack thereof) to those issues.

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 27 - February 28)：