2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Nikkei Global Literature: Diaspora, Race, Identity & Belonging
| Project/Area Number |
21K12957
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| Research Institution | Kyoto Notre Dame University |
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Principal Investigator |
DeSouza Lyle 京都ノートルダム女子大学, 国際言語文化学部, 講師 (00879687)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | Nikkei / diaspora / race / identity / belonging |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This year focussed on close readings of primary sources, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the content and context of the materials. To support this analysis, secondary literature was studied, considering their significance in relation to broader academic debates on race, diaspora, identity and belonging.
A database of interrelated notes was created to aid the analysis process, allowing for organisation and analysis of the vast amounts of information gathered, and identification of key themes and trends that emerged. By utilising these notes to connect seemingly disparate pieces of information, a more nuanced understanding of the topic being studied was developed.
The insights gained through close readings and note-taking were used to outline chapters for a planned monograph. The goal was to create a coherent and compelling narrative that would illuminate the significance of the primary sources examined, identifying the main points to make in each chapter and developing a logical structure for the overall book. The notes were also used to prepare for a presentation at the 2023 Association for Asian Studies conference. This provided an opportunity to share research with other scholars in the field and receive feedback. The presentation highlighted the most important findings from my research on Nikkei in Australia. To further disseminate the findings, an article was submitted for publication in the Kyoto Notre Dame University journal Gengo Bunka Kenkyu.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The progress of my research project has been smooth and more successful than initially planned. The main goals of conducting a close reading of all of the primary literature, a reading of the secondary literature, and extensive note-taking have been achieved. The note-taking system has been exceptionally productive and creative, leading to the creation of a basic outline and draft for the proposed monograph. Additionally, I successfully attended the Association of Asian Studies Annual Conference 2023 in Boston to present my research.
Moreover, unexpected bonuses this year have given a further boost to my progress. A public lecture was held with the famous Japanese author Keiichiro Hirano, and a journal article based on this lecture and my research on belonging was published. These highly public events have significantly expanded my network of international academics, opening up several interesting avenues for potential future research. Therefore, the progress to date has been more smooth than initially planned.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In the final year of the research project, the focus will be on writing the monograph based on the drafts created in the previous fiscal year. The goal is to have the monograph completed by the end of the fiscal year. To achieve this, there are six chapters planned, with an aim of finishing each chapter in 1-2 months. The first step will be to review the drafts created in the previous year and identify areas that need improvement. The drafts will be revised and edited to ensure that they are coherent and well-structured. The content will also be refined to ensure that it is of high quality and meets the intended purpose.
Once the drafts have been reviewed and revised, the actual writing of the monograph will commence. The six planned chapters will be written one by one, with each chapter taking 1-2 months to complete. This will be a rigorous process, involving thorough research, writing, and editing. In addition to writing and editing the monograph, there are plans to travel to the UK and Australia. These trips were postponed in the first year of the project due to the coronavirus pandemic. While in these countries, there is a desire to meet with scholars to discuss and present the research findings. These meetings will be an opportunity to share ideas, receive feedback, and gain insights that could be helpful in improving the quality of the monograph.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Some funds were leftover from FY2022 as a result of cheaper than expected expenditure on international travel, in particular the airfare to Boston for the AAS Conference. There was also less domestic travel than expected as a result of academic societies such as the Asian American Literature Association (AALA) holding their conferences and meetings online rather than in-person.
In the next fiscal year, funding will be used to cover the travel expenses associated with the research. Specifically, the funds will be used for trips to the United Kingdom and Australia, where I will conduct fieldwork, collect data, and discuss my work. Research funds will also be allocated to support the publication process of the project's monograph. This will include the employment of a research assistant and a copyeditor for proofreading the text, correcting any errors, and ensuring the overall quality of the written work.
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Research Products
(3 results)
