Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
@transdi.bsky.social
Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network (TransDI), Chair: Dr Liang Ge (Univ of Manchester) @liangge11.bsky.social
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
We use the term “digital intimacy literacies” to describe the set of socio-technical, affective, sensory, and narrative competencies through which women players learn to interpret, negotiate, and cultivate intimate relationships in digital environments.
✨Thrilled to share our new article published in Information, Communication & Society: “Digital literacies of intimacy: women’s engagement and learning in otome video games”！！！ 🥳 💥 🎉
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Digital literacies of intimacy: women’s engagement and learning in otome video games
This article explores the concept of ‘digital intimacy literacies’ by analyzing how Chinese women gamers form deep emotional connections with virtual male characters in otome games. The study exami...
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We use the term “digital intimacy literacies” to describe the set of socio-technical, affective, sensory, and narrative competencies through which women players learn to interpret, negotiate, and cultivate intimate relationships in digital environments.
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
✨Thrilled to share our new article published in Information, Communication & Society: “Digital literacies of intimacy: women’s engagement and learning in otome video games”！！！ 🥳 💥 🎉
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Digital literacies of intimacy: women’s engagement and learning in otome video games
This article explores the concept of ‘digital intimacy literacies’ by analyzing how Chinese women gamers form deep emotional connections with virtual male characters in otome games. The study exami...
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
✨Thrilled to share our new article published in Information, Communication & Society: “Digital literacies of intimacy: women’s engagement and learning in otome video games”！！！ 🥳 💥 🎉
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Open access link: doi.org/10.1080/1369...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
🌏 Join the Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network (TransDI)!
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
🌏 Join the Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network (TransDI)!
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
The TransDI critically explores how technologies blur boundaries between online/offline lives and human/non-human connections.We bring together global researchers to examine the shifting landscapes of connection, affect, and sociality in digital cultures.🥳🥳🥳
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The TransDI critically explores how technologies blur boundaries between online/offline lives and human/non-human connections.We bring together global researchers to examine the shifting landscapes of connection, affect, and sociality in digital cultures.🥳🥳🥳
Chaired by Dr Liang Ge (University of Manchester) and Dr Tingting Hu (University of Liverpool), TransDI is expanding its community of scholars, artists, and practitioners interested in digital intimacies, transcultural communication, and mediated relationships. We now have over 90 members worldwide❤️
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Chaired by Dr Liang Ge (University of Manchester) and Dr Tingting Hu (University of Liverpool), TransDI is expanding its community of scholars, artists, and practitioners interested in digital intimacies, transcultural communication, and mediated relationships. We now have over 90 members worldwide❤️
The TransDI critically explores how technologies blur boundaries between online/offline lives and human/non-human connections.We bring together global researchers to examine the shifting landscapes of connection, affect, and sociality in digital cultures.🥳🥳🥳
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The TransDI critically explores how technologies blur boundaries between online/offline lives and human/non-human connections.We bring together global researchers to examine the shifting landscapes of connection, affect, and sociality in digital cultures.🥳🥳🥳
🌏 Join the Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network (TransDI)!
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
🌏 Join the Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network (TransDI)!
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world?
From AI companions and digital platforms to gaming and embodied technologies, digital media are reshaping how we connect, care, and desire across cultures.
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
TransDI Network Subscription
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, an...
www.liangge.blog
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
💌 Join and Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events, collaborations, and opportunities:
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
👉 www.liangge.blog/transdi-subs...
Let’s explore together how intimacy, technology, and culture intersect in today’s digital world.
Folks, please check out Liang's new mini documentary with the ARD German Media: In Love with An AI youtu.be/tIgXRkEPlZ8?...
China: Verliebt in eine KI (China: In Love with an AI)
YouTube video by Ryou L Ge
youtu.be
September 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Folks, please check out Liang's new mini documentary with the ARD German Media: In Love with An AI youtu.be/tIgXRkEPlZ8?...
Big congrats! Folks! Do check this out for the fascinating documentary on falling in love with AI and women video game players! 🥳🥰🤩!!!
It’s a very pleasant experience to work with Marie von Mallinckrodt and her team from ARD Germany on this mini-documentary project: In love with an AI 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳!
Plz check it out here:
www.ardmediathek.de/video/weltsp...
Plz check it out here:
www.ardmediathek.de/video/weltsp...
Weltspiegel: China: Verliebt in eine KI - hier anschauen
Millionen Chinesinnen spielen sogenannte „Dating Games“: Sie verlieben sich in eine virtuelle Figur auf einer spielerischen Ebene. Sehr viel ernster: Manche unterhalten sich so intensiv mit dem Chatbo...
www.ardmediathek.de
September 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Big congrats! Folks! Do check this out for the fascinating documentary on falling in love with AI and women video game players! 🥳🥰🤩!!!
It's Open Access! Please do have a look if you are interested in women and (women-oriented) video games and the very datafication process of digital intimacies!
Check out Tingting and Liang's New Pub from their Posthuman Digital Intimacies project! This time, it's about otome games and the datafication of digital intimacies: Datafication of Digital Intimacy: The Dual Logic of Empowerment and Commodification. Games and Culture. doi.org/10.1177/1555...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
July 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It's Open Access! Please do have a look if you are interested in women and (women-oriented) video games and the very datafication process of digital intimacies!
Check out Tingting and Liang's New Pub from their Posthuman Digital Intimacies project! This time, it's about otome games and the datafication of digital intimacies: Datafication of Digital Intimacy: The Dual Logic of Empowerment and Commodification. Games and Culture. doi.org/10.1177/1555...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
July 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Check out Tingting and Liang's New Pub from their Posthuman Digital Intimacies project! This time, it's about otome games and the datafication of digital intimacies: Datafication of Digital Intimacy: The Dual Logic of Empowerment and Commodification. Games and Culture. doi.org/10.1177/1555...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
We argue for examining how media technologies and transnational cultural flows across diverse Asian contexts shape, circulate and contest queernesses and Asian-nesses, offering rich ground for epistemological and methodological innovation❤️
✨New Pub Day! Since our Queer Asia as Method roundtable in 2021, our special issue Queer Asia as Method has now been published online first by Media Culture & Society!
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Editorial introduction: Queer Asia as Method - Liang Ge, J Daniel Luther, Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, 2025
This introduction outlines the theoretical and methodological interventions proposed by the Crosscurrent special section, Queer Asia as Method, which interrogat...
doi.org
July 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
We argue for examining how media technologies and transnational cultural flows across diverse Asian contexts shape, circulate and contest queernesses and Asian-nesses, offering rich ground for epistemological and methodological innovation❤️
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
✨New Pub Day! Since our Queer Asia as Method roundtable in 2021, our special issue Queer Asia as Method has now been published online first by Media Culture & Society!
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Editorial introduction: Queer Asia as Method - Liang Ge, J Daniel Luther, Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, 2025
This introduction outlines the theoretical and methodological interventions proposed by the Crosscurrent special section, Queer Asia as Method, which interrogat...
doi.org
July 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
✨New Pub Day! Since our Queer Asia as Method roundtable in 2021, our special issue Queer Asia as Method has now been published online first by Media Culture & Society!
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
❤️Our Queer Asia as Method framework challenges the Euro-American dominance often found within queer studies by centring the intricate, fluid intersections of ‘queernesses’ and ‘Asias’
✨New Pub Day! Since our Queer Asia as Method roundtable in 2021, our special issue Queer Asia as Method has now been published online first by Media Culture & Society!
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Our editorial piece is here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Editorial introduction: Queer Asia as Method - Liang Ge, J Daniel Luther, Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, 2025
This introduction outlines the theoretical and methodological interventions proposed by the Crosscurrent special section, Queer Asia as Method, which interrogat...
doi.org
July 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
❤️Our Queer Asia as Method framework challenges the Euro-American dominance often found within queer studies by centring the intricate, fluid intersections of ‘queernesses’ and ‘Asias’
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
I'll make a thread about danmei censorship in China, shall I? Because I've been dropping articles about this on-and-off for months now, so I might as well repeat or consolidate some of that here.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China is cracking down on young women who write gay erotica
At least 30 writers have been arrested across the country since February, a lawyer tells the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 30, 2025 at 6:54 AM
I'll make a thread about danmei censorship in China, shall I? Because I've been dropping articles about this on-and-off for months now, so I might as well repeat or consolidate some of that here.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
I have been interviewed by BBC News concerning the recent Haitang Incident: after last year’s detention of over 50 women danmei writers who produce explicit male-male romances and erotica in China, more women writers have been summoned this spring for www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China is cracking down on young women who write gay erotica
At least 30 writers have been arrested across the country since February, a lawyer tells the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I have been interviewed by BBC News concerning the recent Haitang Incident: after last year’s detention of over 50 women danmei writers who produce explicit male-male romances and erotica in China, more women writers have been summoned this spring for www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
"Communicative #AI" @politybooks.bsky.social
My copy of the book that was recently co-authored with @coeckelbergh.bsky.social finally showed up in today's post.
www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
My copy of the book that was recently co-authored with @coeckelbergh.bsky.social finally showed up in today's post.
www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
May 28, 2025 at 12:16 AM
"Communicative #AI" @politybooks.bsky.social
My copy of the book that was recently co-authored with @coeckelbergh.bsky.social finally showed up in today's post.
www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
My copy of the book that was recently co-authored with @coeckelbergh.bsky.social finally showed up in today's post.
www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
🎉 Announcing a new #ArtsBasedResearch toolkit!
Co-created by researchers @ucl.ac.uk & Wits University, it explores how creativity & the arts empower underserved communities.
A practical guide for researchers & practitioners.
📅 Coming 26 Jun.
@humeraiqbal.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
Co-created by researchers @ucl.ac.uk & Wits University, it explores how creativity & the arts empower underserved communities.
A practical guide for researchers & practitioners.
📅 Coming 26 Jun.
@humeraiqbal.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
June 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
🎉 Announcing a new #ArtsBasedResearch toolkit!
Co-created by researchers @ucl.ac.uk & Wits University, it explores how creativity & the arts empower underserved communities.
A practical guide for researchers & practitioners.
📅 Coming 26 Jun.
@humeraiqbal.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
Co-created by researchers @ucl.ac.uk & Wits University, it explores how creativity & the arts empower underserved communities.
A practical guide for researchers & practitioners.
📅 Coming 26 Jun.
@humeraiqbal.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
(if you want to know more about the 2024 arrests, the rather brilliant scholar @liangge11.bsky.social, who teaches at UCL, published an article in March in EJCS: "The Haitang Incident 2024 and the ugliness of danmei culture/industry"—it's open access and they are VERY astute) doi.org/10.1177/1367...
June 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
(if you want to know more about the 2024 arrests, the rather brilliant scholar @liangge11.bsky.social, who teaches at UCL, published an article in March in EJCS: "The Haitang Incident 2024 and the ugliness of danmei culture/industry"—it's open access and they are VERY astute) doi.org/10.1177/1367...
We investigate everything from AI companions to online communities, considering cultural nuances. Let's connect! #DigitalIntimacies #Transcultural #DigitalMedia #EmbodiedTech #PostDigital #PostHuman #Sociology #AI #MoreThanHuman
Exploring digital intimacies across cultures!The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network(TransDI)critically examines how technologies (AI, platforms, games, embodied technologies etc.) reshapes relationships, blurring online/offline lives and human/non-human connections! #DigitalIntimacies
May 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We investigate everything from AI companions to online communities, considering cultural nuances. Let's connect! #DigitalIntimacies #Transcultural #DigitalMedia #EmbodiedTech #PostDigital #PostHuman #Sociology #AI #MoreThanHuman
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, and sociality mediated by digital tech.
Exploring digital intimacies across cultures!The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network(TransDI)critically examines how technologies (AI, platforms, games, embodied technologies etc.) reshapes relationships, blurring online/offline lives and human/non-human connections! #DigitalIntimacies
May 2, 2025 at 10:57 AM
How is intimacy changing in our hyper-connected world? The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network brings together global researchers to explore diverse experiences of connection, affect, and sociality mediated by digital tech.
Exploring digital intimacies across cultures!The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network(TransDI)critically examines how technologies (AI, platforms, games, embodied technologies etc.) reshapes relationships, blurring online/offline lives and human/non-human connections! #DigitalIntimacies
May 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Exploring digital intimacies across cultures!The Transcultural Digital Intimacies Research Network(TransDI)critically examines how technologies (AI, platforms, games, embodied technologies etc.) reshapes relationships, blurring online/offline lives and human/non-human connections! #DigitalIntimacies
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
Drawing on 9-month autoethnographic engagement with the AI companion XingYe, we explore the very gamification of intimacy – a design paradigm that commodifies emotional labour by rendering affection efficient, quantifiable and achievement-oriented. @TransDINetwork
🥳🥳🥳I am extremely happy to share that our first research output on AI chatbot and gamifying digital intimacy, from our Posthuman Digital Intimacies project has now been published by Media Culture & Society! Please do check out here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
April 29, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Drawing on 9-month autoethnographic engagement with the AI companion XingYe, we explore the very gamification of intimacy – a design paradigm that commodifies emotional labour by rendering affection efficient, quantifiable and achievement-oriented. @TransDINetwork
Reposted by Transcultural Digital Intimacy Research Network
🥳🥳🥳I am extremely happy to share that our first research output on AI chatbot and gamifying digital intimacy, from our Posthuman Digital Intimacies project has now been published by Media Culture & Society! Please do check out here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
April 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
🥳🥳🥳I am extremely happy to share that our first research output on AI chatbot and gamifying digital intimacy, from our Posthuman Digital Intimacies project has now been published by Media Culture & Society! Please do check out here: doi.org/10.1177/0163...