Luyang Hu

Media, Communication and Heritage Postgraduate Researcher

Project Title: Queering Consumer Culture: Neoliberalism, Genderless Fashion, and Youth Identities in East Asia.

Supervisors: Dr Gareth Longstaff and Dr Steve Walls

With a passion for exploring the intersections of gender, visual media, and culture, my work delves into how individuals use creative and cultural practices to navigate and express multifaceted identities. Rooted in media studies and queer theory, I bring a unique lens to East Asian cultural contexts.

My project investigates how genderless fashion serves as a media for East Asian youth to explore and express identity amidst shifting cultural and economic landscapes. By focusing on fashion as a visual and cultural practice, the study examines how young individuals navigate and challenge traditional gender norms while constructing fluid self-representations. The project aims to provide insights into the intersection of style, identity, and societal expectations through ongoing participant engagement and visual analysis.

 1. Fashion, Culture, and Identity

Exploring fashion as a cultural and social phenomenon, I investigate its role in shaping identity, self-expression, and societal norms. This area considers fashion as a media for negotiating power, belonging, and transformation across diverse contexts.

 2. Visual Narratives and Identity Construction

I focus on the power of visual media, particularly photography, in expressing and shaping personal and collective identities. My research examines how imagery communicates fluid and evolving notions of self, offering a deeper understanding of visual culture.

 3. Queer Perspectives in East Asian Media

Using queer theory, I analyze representations of gender and sexuality in East Asian media and cultural practices. This interest highlights the interplay between local traditions and global influences in the evolving narratives of queerness.

Outside academia, I am passionate about photography, capturing everyday scenes reflecting diverse stories and identities. I also enjoy basketball and other ball sports, and more recently, I’ve developed an interest in bouldering for the challenge it brings.

PhD Candidate in Media, Newcastle University

MSc in East Asian Business, the University of Sheffield

BA in Japanese, Zhejiang Gongshang University

BA in Management, Zhejiang Gongshang University

 GTTP International Photograph Competition National Winner Award