ANTHMETHGRP4-2425-YIXIN-SONG

[Last modified: December, 7 2024 02:26 PM]

Topic:

In the context of digitalization and globalization, social media has become an important platform for urban youth in China to access information and cultural content. The platform’s built-in recommendation system pushes personalized content to users by analyzing their browsing history, likes and sharing behaviors. This “customized” information flow, while improving user experience, may also lead to the phenomenon of information cocoon and cultural closure, so that users are only exposed to content that is in line with their interests, affecting their contact and acceptance of diverse cultures. With the acceleration of urbanization in China, youth groups are facing new opportunities and challenges in expanding their cultural cognition and global vision. Therefore, it is of great academic and social significance to explore in depth how recommendation systems shape the cultural exposure patterns of this group and their acceptance of multiculturalism.

Research Question:

How do social media recommendation systems influence urban youth’s exposure to multicultural content in China (Shanghai) ?

Research methods:

1. Multimodal Ethnography

• Capture young users’ interactions and recommendations on social media through pictures, video, audio, and text recordings.
• Use screenshots and screen recordings to record the cultural content pushed by the recommendation system, and classify and analyze it.

2. Participant Observation

• Use social media with participants, experience the content pushed by the recommendation system, and record the daily use process and reaction.
• Observe changes in recommended content and their impact across time and context.

3. Semi-Structured Interviews

• Recruit 20 young users aged 18-30 living in Shanghai to conduct in-depth interviews.

4. Reflexive Analysis

• Record the researcher’s own observations and experiences and reflect on the influence of their own positioning and bias on the research.

Ethical consideration:

1. Informed consent: All participants will sign informed consent before participating to understand the study’s purpose and process.
2. Data protection: All data will be anonymized to protect the privacy of participants strictly.
3. Reflexivity: Continuously reflect on the power relations and self-positioning in the research process to ensure the transparency and fairness of the research.

Anticipation:

1. Provide ethnographic descriptions of social media cultural exposure patterns of urban youth in China.
2. Reveal the influence mechanism of recommendation system on youth cultural contact and acceptance.
3. Make recommendations for social media platforms to improve recommendation algorithms to promote cultural diversity.

[Last modified: November, 30 2024 09:54 PM]

Case study：Veganism through street art

Advise to meet ethical standards：

• Transparency and Consent
  Students should clearly state the purpose of the research and ensure that all participants give their free, prior, and fully informed consent to participate in the study. When contacting street artists or entering “closed Facebook groups,” students must identify themselves as researchers and clearly articulate the research objectives and its potential implications. This transparency is essential to build trust and minimize misunderstandings. Additionally, special attention should be given to privacy issues in “closed Facebook groups.” Students should obtain explicit written or verbal consent from group administrators and members, ensuring all parties understand the purpose and scope of the research. Any form of implicit pressure or misunderstanding should be avoided to maintain ethical integrity and protect the rights of the participants.
• Security and Anonymity of Participants
  The section of the research that involves illegal graffiti carries significant legal risks. To mitigate these risks, students must strictly anonymize all relevant data, including the fictionalization of geographical locations and participant identities. To protect participants, students are advised to use aliases or pseudonyms for individuals and groups, ensuring that real identities are not traceable. Identity keys, if necessary, must be stored securely and separately from the research data. Encryption tools should be employed to safeguard the data from unauthorized access, thereby reducing the risk of reputational harm or legal consequences for participants.
• Vulnerability and Sensitivity
  Although the participants may not be directly classified as vulnerable, the involvement of an 18-year-old Instagram artist requires heightened attention to ethical considerations. Due to the participant’s young age and involvement in sensitive topics like animal rights activism, special care must be taken to ensure their voluntary participation. Students must avoid any form of coercion, whether direct or implied and clearly inform the participant of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequences. This ensures the participant’s autonomy and aligns with ethical research practices.
• Ethical Approval and Data Protection
  Given the research involves potentially sensitive topics and privacy concerns, the project should be classified as medium-to-high risk. Students are therefore strongly advised to submit an ethics application to the UCL Humanities, Arts, and Sciences Ethics Committee (HAS REC) for review and approval. Additionally, students are required to complete UCL’s data protection training and adhere strictly to GDPR standards. This includes collecting, storing, and utilizing data in compliance with legal and institutional regulations to ensure both participant safety and the validity of the research process. By following these protocols, students will uphold the highest standards of ethical research.

[Last modified: November, 24 2024 02:57 PM]

In the group practice, we chose Gordon Park next to the teaching building as a place for observation. In doing so, I pay particular attention to non-verbal, non-textual forms of communication and expression in parks and how they form part of contemporary social life.

The environment of the park itself shows the multiple dimensions of the interaction between nature and humans. The rich color and texture of the fallen leaves on the ground constitute the visual diversity. In contrast, the crisp sound of stepping on the fallen leaves further stimulates the auditory perception. These seemingly static scenes interact with people through sound and texture, beyond the scope of words and language expression. The presence of these leaves not only signals seasonal change but also offers a sensory experience that connects individuals with the environment, reminding us how simple, natural elements can communicate without using words.

Smell also plays an important role in this process. The smell of coffee and food in the air evokes emotional associations and forms implicit nonverbal communication with small cafes in the park. This olfactory experience deepened my understanding of the interaction between space and activity. Such scents serve as invisible markers of human presence and activity in the park, subtly influencing how people perceive and navigate the shared environment. They also create a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere, reflecting the interplay between natural and human-made elements.

Soundscapes in parks are another important part of non-verbal communication. The sounds of birds, people talking, and cars passing by are interwoven together to form a dynamic and complex audio environment. Together, these sounds create the multiple meanings of the park as a public space, while demonstrating the importance of hearing in multimodal expression. These auditory elements coexist, often unnoticed, yet collectively shaping how people experience the park. Each sound contributes to the park’s identity, illustrating the non-verbal rhythm of daily life.

In addition, the behavior of small animals also conveys a wealth of non-verbal information. Pigeons feed on the ground and squirrels hop in the trees, their movements blending with the park’s environment to create a visually dynamic narrative. Their activity is not only a part of the natural ecology but also a way of human observation and interpretation. Observing these animals enriches the interaction between humans and non-human life forms, adding to the park’s vibrancy.

Through this observation, I deeply appreciate the significance of multimodal anthropology. It encourages us to go beyond words and language to perceive and analyze a wider range of forms of communication. From the color and texture of fallen leaves to the dynamics of small animals to the interweaving of sounds and smells, every detail in the park tells a rich non-verbal story. This exploration expands our understanding of social life and provides a more comprehensive perspective for anthropological research.

 

[Last modified: November, 18 2024 11:24 AM]

Due to concerns about London’s water quality, my roommate and I periodically buy several packs of still water in bulk from Sainsbury’s just across the street from our apartment building. This close proximity makes it unnecessary to call for delivery, as long as we bring a large suitcase to carry the water.

We typically do this in the evening around 9 PM, when the supermarket is less crowded. The journey to Sainsbury’s is always straightforward: dragging an empty suitcase, waiting for the traffic light to turn green, crossing the road, and taking the lift to the main store area. The light suitcase makes this part of the trip easy and smooth. We usually exchange greetings with the security guard at the entrance, adding a touch of familiarity to the routine. However, as winter sets in, the cold night air makes the experience less pleasant. I often try to quicken my pace to escape the chill, but the hand pulling the suitcase inevitably feels frozen by the time we arrive.

Once inside the store, we head straight to the water section with a clear objective: Volvic. We prefer choosing packs placed on the ground as they’re easier to lift into the shopping trolley. Repeating the action five times, we fill the trolley with five bulk packs. The staff are always helpful, scanning the water directly in the trolley so we don’t have to lift and scan each pack individually.

After checkout, we find a spacious corner of the store to open our suitcase and carefully pack the water inside. Up to this point, the task remains relatively manageable. However, the return trip is the real challenge. Dragging a suitcase filled with heavy water bottles becomes significantly more exhausting. Crossing the road and navigating uneven pavement require extra effort. My roommate and I take turns pulling the suitcase to ensure we can manage the load safely.

This seemingly mundane task highlights the interaction of the body with its everyday environment. From the repetitive movements of lifting and packing to the strain of pulling a loaded suitcase, every action is dictated by physical limits, spatial constraints, and even weather conditions. Such activities underscore how the body, far from being invisible in quotidian contexts, constantly negotiates its surroundings to accomplish routine tasks.

[Last modified: November, 4 2024 10:17 AM]

My previous research project on the impact of social media recommendation systems on exposure to and acceptance of multicultural content among urban Chinese youth inevitably intersects with various political dimensions. The project design itself requires navigating the complex intersections of national policies such as media regulatory policy, national identity, and the dynamics of cultural hegemony.

First, the project design assumes that China’s social media platforms operate under the unique constraints of state censorship and media control. These platforms must adhere to strict rules, such as limiting the influence of foreign media and screening content that fits the national narrative. This framework argues that youth exposure to multicultural content is not only influenced by platform algorithms but also mediated by the political architecture of information flows in China. My research therefore incorporates an understanding of these underlying structures, recognizing that the content of contact is not purely algorithmically determined, but is politically permeated.

As a researcher educated in a free-speech environment, my own position inevitably interacts with these political dimensions. I come from a more liberal academic background and have an intrinsic understanding of the potential benefits of unrestricted cultural exchange. However, I must admit that my interpretation of “multicultural content” may have a Western bias and may not fully reflect Chinese cultural or political values. This position requires constant self-reflection to ensure that my research is balanced and that external perspectives are not imposed on the local context.

My work could have political implications. If the data suggest that social media recommendation systems limit exposure to multicultural perspectives, this could mean that current regulatory practices contribute to a cultural echo chamber effect. Such findings could inform the debate on digital sovereignty and cultural policy, stimulating discussion on how to balance cultural preservation with the benefits of global cultural exchange. On the other hand, if the study finds exposure to a variety of content, it may indicate that the algorithm is adaptable, in line with both user preferences and political demands.

To account for these political factors, my methodology could be adapted to include a wider range of data sources and participant perspectives. This may include comparing responses to local policy documents and conducting expert interviews with media analysts to gain a more nuanced understanding of how policy shapes algorithm design. In doing so, my research will better reflect the entanglements between technology, politics, and culture, and the conclusions drawn will be more locally representative and less influenced by external academic bias.

[Last modified: October, 28 2024 10:40 AM]

Fieldnotes

This weekend I have a travel to Leeds by train. It is a good chance for me to have an observation and take notes in the train car with crowded people.

At begin, my attention was attracted by a family sitting beside us. A young parent and a little boy with a colorful sweater. As soon as they sat down, the man pulled out a deck of playing cards from his backpack and organized a game with his wife and child. His wife looked more reserved and gentler compared to him, and most of the time she just smiled. Their son, on the other hand, was always talking. Playing cards seemed to make him a bit quieter. After one round, the father won. The child was not very happy and did not want to continue playing. “I want some food,” he said. “You can buy it yourself,” the father replied. “On which side of the train car?” the child asked as he stood up, but it didn’t look like he was too willing to go by himself. The mother got up and went with him to buy the food.

During this pause, I noticed a group of young girls in the distance, who looked very similar to me. They had black hair, deep eye sockets, thick eyebrows, and brown skin. One of them was making up. A small yellow bag on the table in front of her which seems like carrying the makeups the girl need. She began by taking out a brush, then squeezed some foundation onto her hand and delicately dipped the brush into it to apply the foundation to her face as if she were painting. Next, she retrieved a larger brush and dipped it into translucent powder, sweeping it across her face; I recognized this step as essential for setting the makeup. “This blush is truly exceptional,” she remarked to her friends while extracting a pink cream-like product and applying it to both cheeks. Initially taken aback by this makeup method, I soon found myself admiring how beautifully she blended the blush. The subsequent two steps astonished me even further: instead of using an eyebrow pencil to define her brows, she took out what resembled mascara and brushed upwards several times on them. Furthermore, rather than employing an eyelash curler, she directly applied mascara onto her lashes. To my amazement, every technique that I’m unfamiliar with, she executed resulted in stunning effects on her visage.

Reflection

To be honest, I love observing the world. However, this is the first time for me to take notes when I was observing which is totally different from the previous random observation. I realize that it is hard for me to just keep my mind on the things I observing. My mind always flies away based on the observation. I always have lots of ideas and associate them with the things observed. I feel that taking notes can drag my mind back,

[Last modified: October, 21 2024 10:35 AM]

My research question：

How do social media recommendation systems affect the exposure and acceptance of diverse cultural content among youth who live in China’s urban areas?

Positionality and Reflexivity：

In researching how social media recommendation systems affect youth in urban China, I must reflect on my positionality and how it may influence both the research process and outcomes. As someone who grew up in China and now studies in an international context, I am in both the cultural environment I am analyzing and a global academic framework that may prioritize certain perspectives on technology and media. My familiarity with Chinese urban culture gives me an insider’s view, allowing me to understand the differences in the lived experiences of the youth I am studying. However, this closeness also means I need to be mindful of biases that might arise from my own assumptions about Chinese youth culture and the way they interact with technology.

I recognize that I am also a frequent user of social media, a platform that both fascinates and implicates me in the dynamics I seek to study. My experiences with recommendation systems, both beneficial and restrictive, could shape how I perceive their influence on others. Reflexively, I must be cautious of projecting my personal frustrations with algorithmic curation onto the youth I study, who may experience these systems differently depending on their digital literacy, cultural background, and personal preferences.

My academic background adds another layer to this research. The Western theoretical frameworks I engage with, which often critique social media algorithms for creating Echo Chambers and limiting diversity, may not fully capture the complexity of youth experiences in urban China, where media consumption patterns, censorship, and cultural norms differ significantly. As a researcher trained in both Chinese and Western contexts, I need to critically navigate these intellectual traditions without imposing one over the other. This requires me to pay attention to local perspectives, including those of the youth themselves, whose voices should remain central in this research.

In sum, my positionality as both an insider and an outsider, as a participant in digital media culture, and as an academic trained in global and local contexts, will shape how I approach this research. Reflexivity requires that I remain conscious of these influences and try to minimize their impact on the study’s integrity and outcomes.

[Last modified: October, 13 2024 11:12 AM]

My research explores the evolving role of glasses among highly educated women, particularly master’s students. Once primarily associated with academic seriousness and a “nerdy” stereotype, glasses have now become a fashionable accessory that reflects personal style and identity. This shift illustrates how objects, once seen as purely functional, are increasingly used for self-expression, especially in the context of modern, educated women navigating both intellectual and aesthetic spaces.

In the quiet corner of the university café, I spotted Maria, a master’s student in psychology, perched on a high stool with her laptop open. A pair of glasses rested lightly on her nose, but they immediately caught my attention—not for their corrective purpose, but for the unusual tint on the lenses. The lenses had a faint, blush-like hue, giving off an almost cosmetic effect that framed her eyes in a soft, rose-tinted glow. Approaching her table, I noticed the overall harmony of her outfit. Her glasses weren’t simply an accessory. They seemed integral to her entire look, matching the pastel tones of her blouse and bag. Intrigued, I asked about her glasses. She smiled, adjusting them slightly, and confessed that she was actually wearing contact lenses underneath. The glasses, she explained, weren’t for seeing but for being seen.

Fig.1 The glasses with blush-like hue

“They make me feel put together,” she said, laughing. “I wear them because they add a little something extra, you know? A pop of color. It’s almost like makeup for my face, but not as heavy.” The mimic blusher effect on the lenses, a subtle rosy tint, gave her a fancier, more polished appearance without any actual corrective need. She went on to explain how, for her, glasses had transitioned from being purely functional to being a central part of her fashion identity. “I used to wear glasses all the time, back when I needed them for studying, and it made me feel like the typical nerd,” she said. “Now, it’s the opposite. I can play with colors, match them to my outfits. It’s like a fashion statement but also with a sense of intellectual.”

This encounter highlighted a significant shift in the symbolic value of glasses. What was once seen as an emblem of academic seriousness and specialization had evolved into an aesthetic tool for self-expression. The glasses were no longer just about vision—they were about visibility, allowing Maria to curate how she wanted to be perceived in a space that values appearance as much as intellect. At that moment, Maria’s story exemplified the changing role of glasses among highly educated women like herself, who navigate between functionality and fashion, using eyewear as an accessory that merges both. The glasses have already become a tool for women’s self-expression.

[Last modified: October, 6 2024 10:35 PM]

 

Topic：

I’m interested in the recommendation system on social media. Nowadays, life is highly closely related to social media. People, especially young people, use social media contact with various people, information, and culture. To some degree, social media is a window for youth to know the world and connect with the outside. Besides, with the development of AI, social media combined with big data analytics and recommended systems to provide a better service, like providing information or other users that users may interested in and prefer based on their preferences and positioning. Without a doubt, the usage of these kinds of AI systems on social media does more deeply attract users. However, in my opinion, it also, to some extent, has trapped users, created an information cocoon, and erected a cultural enclosure. Users seem to be wandering within a cultural enclosure they are familiar with, making it difficult for them to truly engage with things outside the enclosure. As I mentioned, social media is a kind of window for youth to explore the world, but now, we may need to reconsider the integrity of the world they have gotten in touch with through social media as they may in echo chambers contrasted by recommendation systems.

Question

Hence, based on the topic I mentioned above, my proposed research questions are:

1. How do social media recommendation systems affect the exposure and acceptance of diverse cultural content among youth?
2. How do social media recommendation systems influence the diversity of content youth are exposed to?
3. How do social media recommendation systems impact users’ perception of global culture and their ability to engage with unfamiliar perspectives?

These are open questions that invite exploration and do not limit the response to a simple yes or no. It encourages detailed investigation into the various ways recommendation systems influence cultural exposure and the information cocoon resulting from recommendation systems on social media.

Methods

Methods such as participant observation, interviews, and focus groups can provide deep insights into how young people interact with recommendation systems and how these systems shape their cultural experiences. Surveys can also help to gather quantitative data on young people’s experiences and attitudes towards the recommended content.

Potential Findings

Recommendation systems may often suggest content that aligns closely with users’ existing preferences, leading to limited exposure to diverse cultural content. The lack of diverse cultural exposure could result in a narrower worldview among users, making them less open to different cultures and perspectives. Besides, there might be an increase in cultural biases as users are less likely to encounter and engage with content from different cultural backgrounds.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 06:27 PM]

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