Academic overview
From the beginning of my academic career in 1999 to the present, my research has been concerned with the history of ideas, historical imaginaries/simulacra, nostalgia and idea(s) surrounding the concept of ‘golden ages’; specifically, I have often sought to explore the links between historical ideas and historical imaginaries within social movements and the built environment: including architectures, town planning and landscape.
1999-2004: Built heritage conservation movement
My PhD explored the history and sociology of the built heritage conservation movement in the UK; the PhD examined discourses of the organic in the production of visual ideas and perspectives on the urban landscape.
2006-2008: Tudoresque project
During my post-doctoral research (led by Professor Andrew Ballantyne) I investigated the history of Tudor imaginaries paying particular attention to neo-Tudor or Mock Tudor architecture within English and international history. During this project, I mainly conducted historical/archival work with much historical sociological analysis (as opposed to traditional architectural history).
2010-present: Imaginaries and nostalgia in China
Since 2010 I have carried forward the research issues I developed in my early career to the Chinese context. In this regard, my work has been mainly concerned with research on Chinese culture, nostalgia, politics, heritage and urban development. To develop these investigations I am continually trying to improve and develop my Mandarin (albeit very slowly). However, because I am still finding my feet, I often work in teams with other Chinese researchers to develop various project investigations.
I have explored 6 specific lines of research in China; these investigations have included:
1) research into the role that anti-colonial humiliation discourses have played in new forms of affectual governance;
2) research into historic place-branding and the use of historical themes and imaginaries in the marketing of Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Wuhan and Xi'an;
3) research into nostalgic consumerism (particularly colonial consumerism;
4) research into a nostalgic social movement in China known as the Hanfu movement (a movement of young people who wear pre-Qing Dynasty clothing);
5) research into the tangible and intangible heritage of the Yangtze River.
6) research into cities, consumerism and suburban housing.
Places in China, I have visited and even lived in.
On my travels to China I have been lucky enough to visit the following very interesting places: Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Jining, Macau, Qingdao, Qufu, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen and Xi'an. In the near future, I hope to visit more places in the PRC.
Funded Research projects:
I have been involved in several large research projects; in 2014, I was awarded a Sino-British Fellowship Trust and British Academy Award - (BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants SRG 2014 Round) £9,863.75.
https://research.ncl.ac.uk/heritage-newcastle/heritagenewcastleprojects/reconstructinghanidentities/