I’m Ei (栄), born in Seoul and mostly raised in Tokyo. Growing up between two countries and earning my master’s degree in London, all of these life experiences have taught me the fascinating interplay between commonalities and differences in human societies. My research interests revolve around symbolic boundaries with a focus on nation, ethnicity, and race. I believe this interest is deeply influenced by my own positionality—growing up in a society where colonial memories remain strong, as the child of an immigrant mother from that very country. For me, research is also a form of social action, aimed at enabling marginalized communities to live with greater dignity.

Before starting my PhD program, I worked in the consulting and finance industries for five years. A report I led on workplace racism is currently published on PwC Japan’s website.