Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
@berthac.bsky.social
Fan, celebrity & cultural studies academic. Senior lecturer in media & cultural studies @ NUS, Singapore. Intermixing posts on shows I'm watching, fandoms, politics, academia & work. Opinions my own.
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40. Fandom - Bertha Chin
Bertha Chin is a Senior Lecturer in Communications And New Media at the National University of Singapore.
open.substack.com
Probably the most fun I had recording a podcast! Thanks to @giagia.co.uk and Tim Vermeulen for inviting me to come on and ramble about #fandoms and #fancultures!
40. Fandom - Bertha Chin open.substack.com/pub/theclust...
40. Fandom - Bertha Chin open.substack.com/pub/theclust...
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knew no bounds…”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott
Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knew no bounds…”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
Fox news: the channel for white people who start yelling when there's someone on line at the grocery store speaking Spanish.
February 9, 2026 at 4:25 AM
Fox news: the channel for white people who start yelling when there's someone on line at the grocery store speaking Spanish.
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
This is an incredible thread
First shot: sugarcane
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
February 9, 2026 at 4:52 AM
This is an incredible thread
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
February 9, 2026 at 1:54 AM
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
In case you missed the moment.
Art is powerful
Art is powerful
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 AM
In case you missed the moment.
Art is powerful
Art is powerful
The start of #JurassicWorldRebirth is really bad (what I meant yesterday when I said GenAI-generated). More fun when the dinosaurs appear so I can at least cheer for them to annihilate the humans.
February 8, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The start of #JurassicWorldRebirth is really bad (what I meant yesterday when I said GenAI-generated). More fun when the dinosaurs appear so I can at least cheer for them to annihilate the humans.
Why do all new Hollywood movies sound like they’re written by ChatGPT.
February 7, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Why do all new Hollywood movies sound like they’re written by ChatGPT.
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
Next week!
I will give a hybrid talk on my K-pop book on February 12, 18:30 EST at The Korea Society. Hope to see you there!
For more info, please see:
www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture...
For more info, please see:
www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture...
K-Pop Fandom: Performing Deokhu from the 1990s to Today with Areum Jeong
Promoting understanding & cooperation between the U.S. & Korea, The Korea Society offers programs, events, & resources on Korean culture, policy & education
www.koreasociety.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:55 AM
Next week!
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
12 Feb 6:30 eastern
Dr. #JeongAreum #정아름 is brilliant. This #booktalk discusses #Kpop #fandom and is STRONGLY recommended.
#koreasociety
info and zoom reg: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Dr. #JeongAreum #정아름 is brilliant. This #booktalk discusses #Kpop #fandom and is STRONGLY recommended.
#koreasociety
info and zoom reg: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
January 30, 2026 at 1:04 AM
12 Feb 6:30 eastern
Dr. #JeongAreum #정아름 is brilliant. This #booktalk discusses #Kpop #fandom and is STRONGLY recommended.
#koreasociety
info and zoom reg: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Dr. #JeongAreum #정아름 is brilliant. This #booktalk discusses #Kpop #fandom and is STRONGLY recommended.
#koreasociety
info and zoom reg: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
A few more days left to submit your abstract!! #fanstudies #transculturalfandoms
A few days left to submit your 500-word abstract for the Trans-Asian Transcultural Fandom Symposium 🫰
Deadline 📆 Feb 1
Find out more ▶️ transasianfan.wordpress.com
We welcome your submissions 🫶
#CallForPapers #CFP #Fandom #FanStudies #AcademicSky #TransculturalFandom
Deadline 📆 Feb 1
Find out more ▶️ transasianfan.wordpress.com
We welcome your submissions 🫶
#CallForPapers #CFP #Fandom #FanStudies #AcademicSky #TransculturalFandom
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
A few more days left to submit your abstract!! #fanstudies #transculturalfandoms
There is another explanation: They are signs of the decline of a great power struggling to keep its place at the head of the table in a world that is rapidly changing.”
www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/t...
www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/t...
Commentary: What Venezuela and Greenland really tell us about Trump’s America
What the world is witnessing is far more consequential than the temporary phenomenon of US President Donald Trump testing the limits of his power, says veteran newspaper editor Han Fook Kwang.
www.channelnewsasia.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:49 AM
There is another explanation: They are signs of the decline of a great power struggling to keep its place at the head of the table in a world that is rapidly changing.”
www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/t...
www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/t...
As long as the western world enables them, their actions will be normalised. They’re already behaving like private militia so what’s stopping them from firing against anyone they see fit? We’re hinging on the “morality” of an immoral man. It’s bonkers
www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/us-ice...
www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/us-ice...
Anger as branch of ICE to help with security at Winter Olympics
ROME: A branch of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will help with security for the Winter Olympics in Italy, it confirmed on Tuesday (Jan 27), sparking anger and warnings they were not...
www.channelnewsasia.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:19 PM
As long as the western world enables them, their actions will be normalised. They’re already behaving like private militia so what’s stopping them from firing against anyone they see fit? We’re hinging on the “morality” of an immoral man. It’s bonkers
www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/us-ice...
www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/us-ice...
For a moment, I thought it was going to be a bittersweet and sad ending, #TaxiDriver3. I hope there’ll be a season 4 🤞🏼
January 24, 2026 at 6:09 PM
For a moment, I thought it was going to be a bittersweet and sad ending, #TaxiDriver3. I hope there’ll be a season 4 🤞🏼
Yes, well, you set the precedent when you didn’t condemn him for invading another country and kidnapped its leader right under everyone’s eyes, no matter how problematic you seem said leader was. And now you expect Trump to not be emboldened by that? Funny.
European leaders warn of ‘downward spiral’ after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland – Europe live
European leaders warn of ‘downward spiral’ after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland – Europe live
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland will face tariffs from 1 February
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yes, well, you set the precedent when you didn’t condemn him for invading another country and kidnapped its leader right under everyone’s eyes, no matter how problematic you seem said leader was. And now you expect Trump to not be emboldened by that? Funny.
What is it then when you’ve gone back to try and do exactly this but your expertise and contribution are gaslit and spat back in your face? Hazing? A test of mettle to prove you’re really successful and thus can withstand workplace bullying?
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
Dr Sim: Sarawakians who don’t come home to contribute are not truly successful
KUCHING, Jan 9 — Sarawakians who choose not to return to their homeland to contribute to the state’s development are not truly successful, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.The...
www.malaymail.com
January 11, 2026 at 9:58 PM
What is it then when you’ve gone back to try and do exactly this but your expertise and contribution are gaslit and spat back in your face? Hazing? A test of mettle to prove you’re really successful and thus can withstand workplace bullying?
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
“Grok is generating at least one non-consensual sexual image every minute”
Grok Is Undressing Women and Children. Only Elon Musk Is to Blame
The abuse is widespread. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.
zeteo.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:35 PM
“Grok is generating at least one non-consensual sexual image every minute”
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
Psst! Hey you!
The FSNNA Organizing Committee is recruiting new volunteers to bring fresh perspectives & ideas to the committee, and we'd love it if you applied!
Applications are open till Jan 31, 2026. Don't miss out!
The FSNNA Organizing Committee is recruiting new volunteers to bring fresh perspectives & ideas to the committee, and we'd love it if you applied!
Applications are open till Jan 31, 2026. Don't miss out!
FSNNA 2026 Committee Application
FSNNA held its first conference in October 2018 to gather fan studies scholars in one place to meet, share new research, and promote the study of fanworks and fan cultures. During the Covid-19 pandemi...
forms.gle
January 6, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Psst! Hey you!
The FSNNA Organizing Committee is recruiting new volunteers to bring fresh perspectives & ideas to the committee, and we'd love it if you applied!
Applications are open till Jan 31, 2026. Don't miss out!
The FSNNA Organizing Committee is recruiting new volunteers to bring fresh perspectives & ideas to the committee, and we'd love it if you applied!
Applications are open till Jan 31, 2026. Don't miss out!
Definitely Howl’s Moving Castle
In honor of Hayao Miyazaki's birthday, what's your favorite Studio Ghibli film? Doesn't have to be the one you think is "the best," just the one that nestled in your heart. Mine is Howl's Moving Castle.
a painting of howl 's moving castle shows a cloudy night sky
Alt: a pixelated gif of Howl's Castle sitting on a hillside under an evening sky.
media.tenor.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:48 AM
Definitely Howl’s Moving Castle
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
As we all said, international law, such as it was, no longer exists. The United States, following Israel’s precedent, considers itself to have the explicit authority to blatantly violate sovereignty anywhere in the world and abduct even leaders of other states.
There are no guardrails whatsoever.
There are no guardrails whatsoever.
January 3, 2026 at 1:43 PM
As we all said, international law, such as it was, no longer exists. The United States, following Israel’s precedent, considers itself to have the explicit authority to blatantly violate sovereignty anywhere in the world and abduct even leaders of other states.
There are no guardrails whatsoever.
There are no guardrails whatsoever.
It’ll just be like entering any other country ruled by dictators that the West have loved to criticised. 🤷🏻♀️
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan
Plan would apply to countries not currently required to get visas to the US, including Britain and France
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:46 AM
It’ll just be like entering any other country ruled by dictators that the West have loved to criticised. 🤷🏻♀️
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Waiting for the outrage…
Paramount launches a hostile $108 billion bid to snatch Warner from Netflix www.theverge.com/news/839813/...
Paramount launches a hostile $108 billion bid to snatch Warner from Netflix
It’s not over yet.
www.theverge.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Waiting for the outrage…