Sophia Walker
Curriculum Vitae
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiacwalker
EDUCATION
Ph.D., The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 2018 – anticipated 2025.
East Asian Languages and Civilizations and Cinema and Media Studies Joint Program
Japan focus.
Admission to Candidacy May 20, 2022.
Fields Exams:
Transnational Literature and Film
Japanese Film History
Fan Studies
M.A., The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 2021.
East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Japan focus.
A.B., Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, 2017.
East Asian Studies (maj), Cinema Studies (min).
RESEARCH AREAS
Japanese popular media; transnational/global media; fan cultures; international media exchanges and consumption; television; local cinema
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor of Record
“Participatory Media in Japan,” The University of Chicago departments of East Asian Languages and Civilizations and Cinema and Media Studies, Chicago, IL. Spring 2024. In-person: Lecture/Discussion, 19 students.
Course Assistantships
CA, “Introduction to Film.” Professor Maria Belodubrovskaya. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Autumn 2021. In-person: Lecture, 40 students.
• Led 20 student discussion section
CA, “Topics in EALC: Ghosts and the Fantastic in Literature & Film.” Professor Judith Zeitlin. The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Spring 2021. Virtual: Lecture/Discussion, 40 students.
• Led one full class session
• Co-led optional “Intro to East Asia” class session
CA, “Japanese Animation,” Professor Thomas Lamarre, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Winter 2021. Virtual: Lecture, 80 students.
Other Teaching
Outside Expert, Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, Exeter, NH
• Periodic lectures on East Asian- and media-related topics for virtual public charter school
• Classes range from k-12
https://vlacs.org
Pedagogical Training
“Fundamentals of Teaching in the Humanities,” The University of Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning, Autumn 2021
“HUMA 50000: Pedagogies of Writing,” The University of Chicago Writing Program, Summer 2021.
“CMST 69900: Pedagogy: The Way We Teach Film,” The University of Chicago Department of Cinema and Media Studies, AY 2019-20.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Higher Education Administration
Career Advising Intern, UChicago GRAD office, June 2022 – May 2024
– Advised 150+ Masters students on the job search and other graduate applications
– Communicated advising trends to higher management
– Organized and delivered numerous workshops and panels on topics such as careers in
publishing, think tanks, applying to PhD programs, and navigating relationships with faculty
– Maintained student records and data of past career advising engagement and kept track of career
progress
Archival
Archivist, Silk Road Rising, August 2021 – current
Archivist for Silk Road Rising, theatrical production company in Chicago, IL that promotes Asian and Middle Eastern stories.
• Catalog and archive 20 years’ worth of materials
• Present archive contents with accompanying text on public-facing archive website
silkroadrising.org
silkroadarchives.org
Archivist, Kizuna Project, Winter – Spring 2021
One of a small team of graduate students working in partnership with Chicago Sister Cities International and the Chicago Osaka Committee to build a digital, interactive archive for the Kizuna project, a 10-year series of exhibitions and events commemorating the March 2011 natural and nuclear disaster in Tohoku, Japan.
- Managed big-picture project from start to finish
- Constructed a digital, archival materials-based, story-focused, mission-oriented product
- Translated website content from English to Japanese
- Created a promotional video
See the completed project here: www.311kizunachicago.com
Kizuna Project description: www.chicagosistercities.com/kizuna-project/
PUBLICATIONS
“Bringing Anne Close: Early Visualizations of Anne of Green Gables in Japan,” in The Journal of L. M. Montgomery Studies. April 27, 2024.
WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS
Co-coordinator, Arts and Politics of East Asia Workshop, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. AY 2020-21.
Discussant, “Systemic Paranoia: Media Intensification and 1970s Japan,” Presented by Dr. Alexander Zahlten, Arts and Politics of East Asia Workshop. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 12 March, 2021.
Presenter, “Hunnu Rock: Mongolian Heavy Metal and a Global Folk Metal Subculture.” Visual and Material Perspectives on East Asia Workshop. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 24 February, 2021.
Presenter, “It’s Not the Axe, It’s Joe: Brown Paper Company Safety Films, Berlin, NH.” Cinema and
Media Studies Graduate Research Forum. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 25 September, 2020.
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Dissertation Research Grant
Awarded by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) for dissertation research, Summer-Fall 2022.
Professional Advancement and Training for Humanists and Humanistic Social Scientists (PATHS) Global Impact Internship (GGI) Award
Mellon-funded initiative to support professional training for Ph.D. students in the Humanities. Awarded by University of Chicago GRAD office for archival work with Silk Road Rising, Summer and Fall 2021-22.
Professional Training Grant: Japanese Studies
Awarded by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) for advanced language training in Japanese at Middlebury Language School, Summer 2020.
Professional Training Grant: Japanese Studies
Awarded by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) for advanced language training in Japanese, Summer 2019.
United States Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS)
Awarded by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) to study Korean, AY 2018-19.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Coach, University of Chicago Varsity Swim Team 2018-19 season, 2019-20 season
CERTIFICATIONS
Credential in Higher Education Administration
Issued by the University of Chicago GRAD office. Entails both book learning and a 100+ hour internship on the history and practice of Higher Education Administration.
Learn more here.
College Teaching Certificate
Issued by the University of Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning. Learn more here.
GGS-1 Women’s Coaching Certification
Top industry certification for coaching women and girls in sports, health, and fitness.
See more details here.
LANGUAGES
English (native), Japanese (advanced), Korean (intermediate)