The School of International Communications Welcomes Honorary Professor Henry Jenkins

The School of International Communications at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was honoured to host Professor Henry Jenkins, a renowned media studies scholar and honorary professor at the School, from 1 June to 15 June 2024. During his visit, Professor Jenkins delivered an inspiring lecture series and engaged with students on the themes of fandom studies and civic imagination.

From 3 June to 12 June, Professor Jenkins presented a series of lectures titled “Western Fandom Studies: An Overview.” This engaging course examined the development of fandom studies in the West while encouraging students to analyze their own experiences as fans in China and other parts of East Asia. Each participant was tasked with writing a short autobiographical paper reflecting on their fandom experiences and contributing to a collective project aimed at mapping sites of fan engagement and participation in Ningbo.

Throughout the lectures, students had the opportunity to preview Jenkins' work in progress, an overview of contemporary fandom studies co-authored with Robert Kozinets. The course covered a wide range of topics, including the roots of fandom studies in Birmingham Cultural Studies, the intersection of fandom and consumer culture, the concept of fandom as a participatory culture, transcultural fandom and globalization, and the impact of emerging technologies on fan practices.

On 7 June, Professor Jenkins delivered a public lecture titled “Imagining Better (and More Sustainable) Futures: The Work of the Civic Imagination Project,” which drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 200 attendees. In this talk, he discussed the USC Civic Imagination Project, initiated in 2021, which invites global participants to envision how the pandemic might positively reshape the world by 2060. Jenkins shared diverse and profound responses collected through the project, emphasizing the urgent need for environmental sustainability and the transformative role of plants in shaping our planet’s future.

Professor Jenkins elaborated on the project’s evolution during the pandemic, particularly its recent focus on the role of plants in fostering civic imagination and the impact of visually generative AI. He also highlighted strategies to nurture children’s imagination for the benefit of society, inspiring attendees to consider the importance of imaginative thinking in addressing contemporary challenges.

In addition to his public lecture, on 11 June, Professor Jenkins convened with a group of PhD and MA students from the School of International Communications. He introduced them to the Transcultural Fandom Research Group, aimed at fostering collaboration and mentorship among students passionate about popular culture and fandom. The group offers support for shared projects and encourages connections among individuals with similar research interests, with a current focus on transcultural fandom in East Asia.

Professor Jenkins' visit not only enriched the academic environment at UNNC but also solidified the university's commitment to promoting global academic exchanges and inspiring future scholars in the fields of media studies and popular culture. His contributions during this visit are expected to have a lasting impact on students and faculty alike, encouraging innovative thinking and research in fandom and civic engagement.

As a pioneering figure in media studies, Professor Jenkins continues to inspire new ideas and methodologies in understanding the complex dynamics of media, popular culture, and civic imagination, leaving a profound legacy at UNNC.