Current NYU Shanghai Global Research Initiatives Fellows

William Hudelson
PhD Candidate, Department of Music, GSAS
Email:
wjh258@nyu.edu

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

Hudelson’s research examines four technologically-mediated sonic phenomena and their associated cultural milieux to show how each produces a unique conception of the body. Through these four case studies, he argues that sound and sound technology are co-constitutive: sound technology makes sound accessible and manipulable, but it also exerts an epistemological back-pressure on the listener. Hudelson plans to consult with two faculty members of the field at NYU Shanghai. Professor Anna Greenspan’s global perspective on cyberculture will be particularly informative for Hudelson’s chapter on ASMR. Professor Marianne Petit’s artistic practice may offer alternative ways of conceiving of the various forms of “amateur science” that Hudelson’s dissertation explores. He also plans to research similar techno-cultural phenomena taking place amid the rapid modernization underway in present-day China. 

Erik Meddles
PhD Candidate, Department of History, GSAS
Email:
erm345@nyu.edu

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.

Juliana Ennes
Master of Science Candidate, Department of Global Affairs, SPS
Email:
jpe255@nyu.edu

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 15 - March 15)：

Ennes’ research focuses on Chinese investments in the energy sector in Latin America and the impact on China’s strategy to build a cleaner energy mix. In the pursuit of energy and raw materials, China has been building a strong relationship with Latin American and Caribbean countries in the past few years. These ties go beyond international commerce. There has been a change in the Chinese approach to Latin America: China is not only importing commodities to supply its rapidly growing economy, but also investing on extraction projects, with Chinese companies competing on oil and gas auctions, and acquiring local companies, as well as working with banks provide loans and financial support to these local corporations. 

Kevin Goldstein
PhD Candidate, Department of Comparative Literature, GSAS
Email:
kdg245@nyu.edu

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 18 - April 14)：

Goldstein’s dissertation identifies previously unexamined links between blind writers, visual artists, musicians, and actors, specifically in the context of their thematic treatment of blindness itself. The project centers on the tension between, on the one hand, a tendency toward assimilation and the suppression of difference, and on the other hand, a drive to substantiate a distinct identity and culture via artistic practice. While some artists cease work after going blind, affirming the deeply ingrained complex of vision, knowledge, and creativity, others conceive of blindness as a source of inspiration and affinity with other blind artists, alive and dead. Goldstein argues that this, in part, forms the basis of a multilingual, transnational blind culture. The act of fostering a dialogue both within and without the text, literary or otherwise, becomes a profoundly political gesture. Blindness is not simply a social problem, but a source of identity and of artistic creation. 

 

Eric McEver
Master of Fine Arts Candidate, Department of Film, Tisch
Email:
eam593@nyu.edu

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (February 1 - April 22)：

McEver will continue his work on his thesis film, Fossil. He intends to edit the film using the post-production facilities at NYU Shanghai and will utilize his international NYU Tisch network to work with post-production staff in Shanghai, and use the resources of NYU’s campus to conduct research and planning for a feature film based upon Fossil. McEver’s thesis advisor, Associate Dean Michael Burke, will provide guidance remotely from the primary campus in New York.