EASG MA Thesis Review
The MA Thesis Review is aimed at taught postgraduate students considering an MA dissertation topic related to East Asia. A panel of PhD researchers will ask questions, offer advice, and give comments based on a 150- to 200-word abstract and a 5-minute talk. This will provide a new perspective and encourage further reflection on the proposal before the formal MA dissertation process. It is a final opportunity to test out ideas and a chance to experience a common hallmark of the academic experience for those considering pursuing a career in academia: the review process. However, it is first and foremost, an advisory process, so participants are encouraged to ask the reviewers any questions they have regarding not only their comments and feedback, but also about MA dissertation-writing more generally.
It is being held as an all-day event and will be catered. Participants are encouraged to stay for the whole process to watch their colleagues' presentations, exchange opinions in an informal setting, and talk with the panel in a more informal setting. Likewise, available colleagues, researchers and students are encouraged to attend the process to offer their own insights more informally during Q&As or the breaks between presentations.
To participate, inform the EASG at easg@warwick.ac.uk by Thursday 5th December 2024; and submit your abstract by Thursday 9th January 2025.
For any questions, please contact the EASG at easg@warwick.ac.uk.
Review Panel Members
Veronica Barfucci
Veronica’s doctoral research discusses aspects of status anxiety as ontological (in)security in the Japanese government’s social media representation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces deployed overseas, focusing on the illustrative case of security operations in the African continent. Drawing insights from post-structural feminist theorising and critical military studies, she focuses on how these gendered representations perform Japan’s subjectivity as a military power. Visit Veronica's Warwick webpage hereLink opens in a new window.
Link opens in a new window
David Challenger
Rafael da Costa
Rafael da Costa is a PhD candidate (PAIS Overseas Scholarship) and Associate Tutor at the University of Warwick. He has an MSc in Political Science and a BA in History from the University of São Paulo - USP. Rafael's research interests include International Political Economy, Green Energy Transition, Business-Government interactions, and the internal dynamics of the BRICS. He is in the first year of his PhD project.
Rafael is also a member of the Pensamento e Politica no BrasilLink opens in a new window research group at USP.
Natsumi Shiino
Justin Ren
Justin Ren commenced his doctoral studies at University of Warwick in October 2021 and successfully defended his PhD in September 2024 under the supervision of Shaun Breslin and Chris W. Hughes. His research focuses on nationalism, discourse analysis, and Chinese politics. Before pursuing his PhD, Justin completed a master’s degree at George Washington University, where he studied under the mentorship of David Shambaugh and Mike Mochizuki. He currently serves as the domain expert and Research Assistant to Shaun Breslin on EU-funded project EuroHub4Sino.
f
Rong Wei
Rong is a third-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Birmingham. Her PhD focuses on the UK’s foreign policy towards China from 1979-1997 and adopts a ‘primacy of domestic politics’ approach to understand UK policymaking with specific reference to Hong Kong under the Thatcher and Major governments. Her research offers insights into historical and contemporary UK-China relations, drawing on primary sources from around the world, in addition to developing new foreign policy frameworks based on theories of depoliticization. She is also an Associate Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy.