Kimberly Hassel
LightNews LightNews
banner
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Kimberly Hassel
@kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
790 followers 290 following 35 posts
Dominican New Yorker. Assistant Professor of Japanese Studies at Duke University.

Anthropologist specializing in digital culture, youth culture, & Afro-Japanese encounters.

Princeton PhD | Dartmouth, MMUF, & IRT alum
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
melhogan.bsky.social
Interested in data centers? In critical data center studies?

Here's an open biblio -- anyone can add or borrow from it. Please do add anything that's missing. Enjoy!

docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Critical Data Center Studies
Critical Data Center Studies Books Amoore, Louise. 2020. Ethics Algorithms and the Attributes of Ourselves and Others Duke https://www.dukeupress.edu/cloud-ethics Bedir, M; Groen. L; Kuijpers. M; Sa...
docs.google.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Returned to my PhD alma mater to speak with alumni, faculty, and current Princeton EAS PhD students about career pathways in academia! And in a full circle moment, I finished the first full draft of my book manuscript (!!) in the same cafe where I wrote my dissertation. 🥳 Excited for next steps!!
Professor Kimberly Hassel posing in front of a banner that says: “Next Chapters: Conversations with East Asian Studies Alumni.” She is pointing to her own image on the banner. Photograph of a cafe table with an open laptop, cookie, iced coffee, and water bottle. The laptop has a document with the tentative name of Hassel’s book: “Intimate Solitudes and Solidarities: Digital Sociality and Pandemic Times in Japan.”
October 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
I’m on the ballot for the Diversity and Equity Committee! As an Afro-Latina scholar in Asian Studies, advocacy for scholars of underrepresented identities has been central to my service. If elected, I will work with AAS in aiding these scholars to thrive—not just survive—in the field.
asianstudies.org Association for Asian Studies @asianstudies.org · Oct 15
Established by member vote in 2020, the Diversity and Equity Committee is the newest AAS governance body. Its members advise the Board of Directors on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

buff.ly/TAstsxe
Portrait of Kimberly Hassel, Assistant Professor of Japanese Studies at Duke University, featured as a nominee for the Diversity and Equity Committee in the AAS 2025 Elections.
October 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Dream sale from my dream press!
dukepress.bsky.social Duke University Press @dukepress.bsky.social · Oct 20
Our Fall Sale begins today! Save 50% on books & journal issues now through November 9 with coupon code FALL25. buff.ly/Bk390cu
Yellow graphic with dark blue text reading Fall Sale. 50% off with code FALL25. Available Books & Journal Issues. Oct 20-Nov 9. Duke University Press logo is in bottom right corner.
October 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
theblackblackmage.bsky.social
Hey folks, I was lucky enough to be invited onto Ashley ML Guajardo (Brown)'s stream/podcast, The Work Left Behind. If you're free Thursday night at 9 pm EST, feel free to stop by!

Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley
YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...
October 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
jennifercnash.bsky.social
Year 5 of the Black Feminist Theory Summer Institute: Applications are open, more info on our website. Please spread the word.
October 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
jppinfo.bsky.social
Japan Past & Present is pleased to announce that online registration is now open for Japan Past & Present’s symposium, "Humanistic Approaches to the Study of Premodern Japanese Law," to be held at UCLA with virtual streaming from September 26–27, 2025. ⚖️ japanpastandpresent.org/en/jpp-event...
A poster for the symposium "Humanistic Approaches to the Study of Premodern Japanese Law" Sept 26-27, 2025, UCLA. It features horizontal excerpts of a Japanese painting showing three men in kimono of various colors sitting on the left, some pine trees and clouds in the middle, and a man kneeling reading from a piece of paper on the right.
September 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
amybrown.xyz
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
Why should I write better when a machine can do it for me? Because actually no one can do it for you, because your voice is unique among all the people on earth. Siri never petted a horse's neck. Alexa has never been ghosted by the captain of the football team. But you have lived, your heart is beating, you have suffered, and you have something important to say. It's a human's job, to use words, and whatever job you give to a machine, that part of your brain goes dark. Maybe it's worth it when it comes to remembering phone numbers and directions, but when that part of your brain that uses words goes dark, that's a vast area that's very close to your soul. Don't let some internet platform convince you that what you have to say and create isn't worthwhile. Words are the echo of your soul. Honing that echo matters.
August 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
nhledbetter.bsky.social
First day (night) has been worth staying up until almost 4 AM
@kimberly-hassel.bsky.social @paularcurtis.bsky.social
Great stuff, provocative discussion. And Prof. Schmidt-Hori taking on internet trolls (and winning). Good stuff!!
jppinfo.bsky.social Japan Past & Present @jppinfo.bsky.social · May 26
This week! In-person and virtual! Registration is still open for JPP's international symposium "Japan Past & Present: Reimagining a Global Field" (5/29–5/31)! 🗾 japanpastandpresent.org/en/jpp-event...
May 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
wells.bsky.social
omg??? @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social otaku hot girls rise up!!!
May 31, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
newsfromnihon.bsky.social
Check this out online or in person! On Friday I'll be presenting on teaching Japanese Studies in Japanese universities alongside Junxiao Leng and Alexandra Hambleton.
jppinfo.bsky.social Japan Past & Present @jppinfo.bsky.social · May 26
This week! In-person and virtual! Registration is still open for JPP's international symposium "Japan Past & Present: Reimagining a Global Field" (5/29–5/31)! 🗾 japanpastandpresent.org/en/jpp-event...
May 27, 2025 at 6:39 AM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Excited to be back in Tokyo to present at this inaugural symposium! Please drop by/tune into our panel on 05/29: “Whose Japan Is It Anyway?: Navigating the Competing Desires and Crossed Thresholds as Japan Studies Scholars and More.” I’ll be presenting with Junnan Chen and Sachi Schmidt-Hori! ✨
jppinfo.bsky.social Japan Past & Present @jppinfo.bsky.social · May 26
This week! In-person and virtual! Registration is still open for JPP's international symposium "Japan Past & Present: Reimagining a Global Field" (5/29–5/31)! 🗾 japanpastandpresent.org/en/jpp-event...
May 27, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
newsfromnihon.bsky.social
Come work with me! My dept. at Meiji U. has an opening for a full-time, permanent faculty position (専任). Candidate must have native or near-native fluency in Japanese and be able to teach in both Japanese and English. App deadline: July 4. More info: (#7 on list): www.meiji.ac.jp/seikei/koubo...
政治経済学部教員の公募について | 明治大学
明治大学のオフィシャルサイトです。大学案内、受験生向けの入学案内、在学生向けコンテンツ、また一般の方向けの公開講座情報など、明治大学に関する情報をご覧頂けます。
www.meiji.ac.jp
May 23, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
wadadlifeminist.bsky.social
Just listened to an *incredible* keynote today by Dr. @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social, titled “Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion.” Dr. Hassel’s neologism #OtakuHotGirlStudies promises some exciting transnational feminist scholarship! 🤩 👏🏽
Queer and Feminist Perspectives on Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025
A platform for critical discussions about gender and Japanese animation, fashion, video games, literature and digital cultures
events.humanitix.com
May 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
debraocchi.bsky.social
Great keynote and so much more going on here ✨💖
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social Kimberly Hassel @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social · May 6
Absolutely thrilled to be delivering a keynote for the Queer and Feminist Perspectives in Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025. Please register if you haven’t already! Can’t wait to think with everyone on digital mediations of Afro-Japanese encounters and #otakuhotgirlstudies. ✨
aurelievpetit.bsky.social Aurélie Petit 👩🏻‍💻✨ @aurelievpetit.bsky.social · May 1
Introducing another one of our amazing keynotes: @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social who will present on "Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion" ⚔️💿✨ Kimberly is an Assistant Professor in the department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University! Tickets 🎫 below!!
May 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
samaburime.bsky.social
I'm sitting in on this for the Queer and Feminist Perspectives on Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025 and it's fascinatingly wonderful! You should follow Kimberly! Especially if you're interested in Black focused feminist perspectives on Japanese media!💯🙌🏼
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social Kimberly Hassel @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social · May 16
Had a full circle moment this month: I delivered my presentation for the 2025 meeting of AJLS in the SAME ROOM as my undergrad senior honors thesis defense in 2016! I was high-key emotional to be back at Dartmouth as a Duke professor. Grateful for those who helped me get here. 🥹
Kimberly Hassel defending her senior honors thesis in 2016. She has short curly black hair and is wearing a pink scarf. She is standing behind a podium. Kimberly Hassel standing in front of a projector with a presentation slide: "Translating Encounter: Digital Mediations of Afro-Japan from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion." She has curly brown hair reaching up to her shoulders. She is wearing glasses and smiling. She is wearing a patterned long dress.
May 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
wells.bsky.social
"can the otaku hot girl speak?" - @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social phewww i need that book/paper *now*
May 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
wells.bsky.social
all this to say, dr. hassel's keynote on "Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion" is incredible!!
Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion by Kimberly Hassel
May 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
I actually DM'ed Megan Thee Stallion and invited her to my keynote tomorrow, which is titled: "Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion." 😛🔥 Might be a long shot, but if she attends my soul WILL leave my body. #OtakuHotGirlStudies
aurelievpetit.bsky.social Aurélie Petit 👩🏻‍💻✨ @aurelievpetit.bsky.social · May 19
Link to the event has been sent!!!!! See you tonight 🌚🌛/tomorrow morning ☀️🌈 !!!
May 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
aurelievpetit.bsky.social
Starting Monday!!!!! I’m so excited!! We are finalizing some details and it’s gonna be so so so good 😍 We sold out so quickly (300 tickets in 10 days) but we released a few more tickets to let people in from the waiting list 🌸🌸🌸🌸
aurelievpetit.bsky.social Aurélie Petit 👩🏻‍💻✨ @aurelievpetit.bsky.social · Apr 25
✨🗣️ Here is the link to register for the Queer and Feminist Perspectives on Japanese Popular Cultures symposium Second Edition 💕🌈🏳️‍⚧️🔥 a free and online event (May 19 to 22) with 20+ participants and three awesome keynotes ✨😎 Program below and at the link here 👉 events.humanitix.com/queer-and-fe...
Queer and Feminist Perspectives on Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025
A platform for critical discussions about gender and Japanese animation, fashion, video games, literature and digital cultures
events.humanitix.com
May 17, 2025 at 9:34 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Had a full circle moment this month: I delivered my presentation for the 2025 meeting of AJLS in the SAME ROOM as my undergrad senior honors thesis defense in 2016! I was high-key emotional to be back at Dartmouth as a Duke professor. Grateful for those who helped me get here. 🥹
Kimberly Hassel defending her senior honors thesis in 2016. She has short curly black hair and is wearing a pink scarf. She is standing behind a podium. Kimberly Hassel standing in front of a projector with a presentation slide: "Translating Encounter: Digital Mediations of Afro-Japan from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion." She has curly brown hair reaching up to her shoulders. She is wearing glasses and smiling. She is wearing a patterned long dress.
May 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
Excited to be giving a public lecture at Kanagawa University, 21st of May about my research for my book on Harajuku (currently in the works)💫💫

“Hyperfeminine Harajuku:
Exploring Queer KAWAII Practices in a Tokyo Subcultural District”

It’s both online and in person- details on the flyer 🌈💕
Abstract: In this talk I explore the creative practices of Harajuku’s subcultures. Harajuku is a town in Tokyo that is a safe space for women, men and gender diverse people as early as the 1970s. Over recent decades, numerous KAWAII fashion subcultures have emerged in this district, each with their own specific conventions, aesthetics, purposes and intents including lolita fashion, decora fashion, yume kawaii, fairy kei, menhera. KAWAII is a significant cultural site for marginalized people to find collective safety and creatively work through their experiences and find a place of belonging. In the increasingly fractured social landscape of Tokyo, an eclectic group of artists, photographers, musicians, and designers come together in a constellation of spectacular bodies to play with KAWAII fashion. Their efforts are supported by underground queer feminist movements of Tokyo that protest, disrupt, and agitate through art, talk, and zine collectives in a blaze of shimmering hot pink. The talk considers the differing ways KAWAII is queered by these groups as an expression of dis/affection, in/dependence and a/sexuality. Queering KAWAII refers to a process of estrangement and de- familiarisation of cuteness as a form of hyperfemininity. As part of global queer femme cultures, hyperfemininity contaminates gender binaries, and exaggerates and pushes the parameters of patriarchal femininity as a form of disruption, experimentation, and reflection. Centred on the affective stories, fashion objects and garments and texts that KAWAII fashion practitioners create, this talk explores the social motivations, politics and ideologies of this subcultural movement. The talk traverses themes of marginality, vulnerability, and women and gender diverse people’s defiance in facing structural sexism, sexual violence, queerphobia, and ableism. To Attend Online (Zoom): Access the Zoom Meeting via the following Meeting ID and Passcode. Preregistration is NOT required to attend via Zoom. Me…
May 6, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
apsi-duke.bsky.social
We're looking forward to your keynote talk (and to the presentation by our own Lilia Yan!) 🎉
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social Kimberly Hassel @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social · May 6
Absolutely thrilled to be delivering a keynote for the Queer and Feminist Perspectives in Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025. Please register if you haven’t already! Can’t wait to think with everyone on digital mediations of Afro-Japanese encounters and #otakuhotgirlstudies. ✨
aurelievpetit.bsky.social Aurélie Petit 👩🏻‍💻✨ @aurelievpetit.bsky.social · May 1
Introducing another one of our amazing keynotes: @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social who will present on "Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion" ⚔️💿✨ Kimberly is an Assistant Professor in the department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University! Tickets 🎫 below!!
May 7, 2025 at 2:26 PM
kimberly-hassel.bsky.social
Absolutely thrilled to be delivering a keynote for the Queer and Feminist Perspectives in Japanese Popular Cultures Symposium 2025. Please register if you haven’t already! Can’t wait to think with everyone on digital mediations of Afro-Japanese encounters and #otakuhotgirlstudies. ✨
aurelievpetit.bsky.social Aurélie Petit 👩🏻‍💻✨ @aurelievpetit.bsky.social · May 1
Introducing another one of our amazing keynotes: @kimberly-hassel.bsky.social who will present on "Mediating Afro-Japanese Encounters from Yasuke to Megan Thee Stallion" ⚔️💿✨ Kimberly is an Assistant Professor in the department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University! Tickets 🎫 below!!
May 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Kimberly Hassel
theblackblackmage.bsky.social
Since I will be playing Assassin's Creed Shadows for the first time tonight, I figured it would be a good time to reshare this article I co-authored with Kimberly Hassel and John G Russel!

If there is interest, I may consider streaming my playthrough!

criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2...
Commentary | Kimberly Hassel, Akil Fletcher, and John G. Russell, Stranger Than Fiction?: Yasuke and the Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Controversy — Critical Asian Studies
Introduction “Nothing is true; everything is permitted.” — Assassin’s maxim, Assassin’s Creed On May 15th, 2024, video game publisher Ubisoft released the trailer for the anticipated next in...
criticalasianstudies.org
March 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM