The University hosts the best Students' Union I have ever experienced

What are your main responsibilities in your current role?

Teaching and managing the all-English undergraduate degree programme

Please outline your career history: how did you get to where you are today?

I got my Bachelor and Master degree (Laurea Magistralis) in Japanese Language and Literature from the University of Venice in 1994. After graduation I worked for 5 years in a private company and for two years I was an English teacher at a public high school in Italy. In 2002 I was selected for a 2-year postgraduate scholarship and entered Tokyo University, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology. From 2004 to 2007 I worked for the JET Programme as a Coordinator of International Relations. From 2007 to 2008 I worked at the University of Venice and the University of Bologna as an adjunct. In 2008 I entered the PhD program in East Asian Studies at SEAS and joined Tohoku University, Graduate School of Law. In 2012 I received my my double Ph.D. degree in East Asian Studies (SEAS) and Law (Tohoku University). From 2012 to 2013 I was a Post-doc Visiting Scholar at Tokyo University, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology. From 2014 to 2015 I worked on my manuscript (published by Brill in 2015) while being a mother and an independent researcher. In 2015 I joined my current position at the University of Osaka, Graduate School of Human Sciences. In 2018 I became the University of Osaka's Associate Director of the Human Sciences International Undergraduate Degree Programme.

Why did you want to come to the University of Sheffield to study your chosen degree?

Because it offered supervision and training in the area of expertise (gender and religion in the area studies: Japan) I wanted to pursue. Also, I was looking for a good educational training in qualitative methods and feminist methodology.

What were your favourite things about or best memories of the University of Sheffield?

Before moving, I was concerned about my social life since I knew nobody there. I soon found the University of Sheffield Students' Union. The University hosts the best Students' Union I have ever experienced. People in the Students' Union provide all types of help and services, they always had an answer for all the questions and needs I had. And made my free time and social life unforgettable! 2) My best memories are from my walks in the Botanical Gardens and hiking in the Peak District. For people who love nature and outdoor activities, Sheffield has plenty to offer. 2) The Accommodation Service and people in the office were very helpful in helping me find a place and relocate from Italy and from Japan, this latter with my daughter and my husband. 

Please explain how has your qualification and/or time at Sheffield helped you in your career?

My double PhD degree from the University of Sheffield and Tohoku University immediately opened up opportunities both in eastern and western institutions. The University of Sheffield holds high reputation in Japan for its rigor and for its multidisciplinarity. All my peer graduates landed on a very good job.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

Being promoted to Associated Director of the Human Sciences International Undergraduate Degree Programme.