Alumni testimonials from Hong Kong

Ian, MA Arts Administration and Cultural Policy

Ian is a producer, theatre director and arts administrator. He is now working in the Hong Kong Arts Festival as the Outreach Manager, in which he has been given the opportunity in producing a series of award winning theatre productions in Hong Kong including: Murder in San José, The Truth About Lying and The Liaisons. He also took the companies to Shanghai (as part of Shanghai World Expo 2010) and Esplanade, Singapore. He also runs his own theatre company.

Ian studied a BSc in Hong Kong, worked as a Quantity Surveyor Graduate and on the construction of Hong Kong Disneyland, remaining an active theatre practitioner and volunteer in social services. He co-founded Thealosophers (Theatre+philosophers) and was nominated Best Director in 2009 Hong Kong Drama Festival. He also served in the Leo Club of Repulse Bay where he seeks to apply Arts in community services.

In 2008, he was awarded MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy by Goldsmiths. During his studies, he did an internship with Shared Experience, where he has participated in the national tour of War & Peace. Ian’s dissertation focused on the impact of West Kowloon Cultural District project in Hong Kong and the way forward for sustainable Arts development in the City. The MA course introduced Ian to the professional world of arts administration but also inspired him the way forward by Cultural Policy. Ian aspires to be an Artistic Director of an Arts Complex; at the same time, constantly challenges himself in producing contemporary theatre with his company Thealosophers, bringing cross-disciplinary media together in interpreting the world we live today.

Daisy, PhD Cultural Studies

Daisy studied her PhD at the Centre for Cultural Studies. She now works as a Research Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Baptist University. She discusses how life at Goldsmiths, including the academic work, work experience and social aspects, all prepared her for her current career.

Jonathan, MA International Studies

Jonathan is now a presenter and producer at Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), and studied MA International Studies. He explains the benefits of studying in London and how the creative environment at Goldsmiths prepared him for his career.

Colin

MA Arts Administration and Cultural Policy

Colin studied the MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy in 2004 and during the programme Colin spent his internship in the International Intelligence on Culture, mainly assisted the research on Hong Kong Arts & Cultural Indicators. He also joined the Creative Clusters conference which was held in Brighton. As a student representative he kept abreast of the latest development of the global creative sectors; and in which he was able to meet his future bosses.

After the MA programme Colin returned Hong Kong and worked as a researcher for Centre for Cultural Policy Research, University of Hong Kong. He became involved in cultural researches for Hong Kong and Beijing, and tried pursue a PhD with his immense interest on cultural and creative districts. However, desperate for a stable income to maintain his family, Colin eventually joined the Government service as a police inspector.

As a police inspector Colin managed his subordinates with an open mind inherited from the MA programme. His international exposure during the programme paved the way for effective communications between the police and the general public. The programme not only brought creative thoughts to Colin, but also the working attitude inspired by the professors, guest lecturers and students of Goldsmiths.

Daisy

MPhil/PhD Cultural Studies

"The best thing about the programme is the people. Everyone's project is interesting and inspiring, and people reach out to each other!"

PhD Project title: A Taste of Ethics: Shifting from Lifestyle to a Way of Life
Undergraduate degree: BA Comparative Literature at University of Hong Kong
Postgraduate degree: MA Comparative Literature at University College London
Current Job: Research Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University

I wanted to do my PhD in a human-sized department where people are committed to research, where both staff and students are involved, and not in a place where I would become anonymous. I changed disciplines from Comparative Literature to Cultural Studies as I wanted my research to be move beyond the text and to be more relevant to my environment.

Centre for Cultural Studies is a a great centre where not only the staff are committed, but also the students. The best thing about CCS is the people. Everyone's project is interesting and inspiring, and people reach out to each other. I learned so much from my fellow students. No one seems to count the hours they put into organizing and attending activities - reading groups, workshops, conferences, talks, etc. Their interest drives their work, and that's not something you find everywhere. In addition to the academic life of the centre, one of the great things I loved about the PhD was the fieldwork. I sold apples at Borough Market for five years, and that was one of the highlights. I loved doing it and I wouldn't have done it without the encouragement of my supervisor. Because I did, the whole thesis changed, and the whole way I saw London changed.

New Cultural Studies people - be brave, be open, be a pioneer in what you do, don't be afraid and don't stick to your comfort zone. Enjoy! I loved my time in the centre and hope that you will also find your own story to tell in the future...

Interviewed by Leila Whitley