Katarzyna J. Cwiertka

Katarzyna J. Cwiertka is Chair of Modern Japan Studies at Leiden University. She has an MA degree in Japanese Studies from Warsaw University, Poland (1990), an MA degree in Area Studies from Tsukuba University, Japan (1994), and a PhD from Leiden University (1999).

Cwiertka explores food history of modern Japan and Korea, both as a domain of culture and as a window into historical inquiry that extends beyond the realm of cuisine and nutrition. In her published work, food serves as a vehicle to talk about social change and global interconnectedness facilitated by colonialism, war, and cultural imperialism.

‘I am strongly convinced that the role of an academic should not be confined to research alone, but must include educating the public and correcting misconceptions perpetuated by the popular media.’

Cwiertka is the Project Director & Principal Researcher of the project Garbage Matters: A Comparative History of Waste in East Asia, co-editor of the book series Consumption and Sustainability in Asia (Amsterdam University Press), and managing co-editor of the new journal Global Food History (Routledge).

Bio

Katarzyna J. Cwiertka is Chair of Modern Japan Studies at Leiden University. She has an MA degree in Japanese Studies from Warsaw University, Poland (1990), an MA degree in Area Studies from Tsukuba University, Japan (1994), and a PhD from Leiden University (1999).

Publications

Cwiertka explores food history of modern Japan and Korea, both as a domain of culture and as a window into historical inquiry that extends beyond the realm of cuisine and nutrition. In her published work, food serves as a vehicle to talk about social change and global interconnectedness facilitated by colonialism, war, and cultural imperialism.

PhD Supervision

Cwiertka supervises PhD theses on the topics related to material culture, consumption and waste in East Asia, in both contemporary and historical contexts.

Other projects

Cwiertka is the Project Director & Principal Researcher of the project Garbage Matters: A Comparative History of Waste in East Asia, co-editor of the book series Consumption and Sustainability in Asia (Amsterdam University Press), and managing co-editor of the new journal…

Media

‘I am strongly convinced that the role of an academic should not be confined to research alone, but must include educating the public and correcting misconceptions perpetuated by the popular media.’