Fred Shan

Fred Shan is a PhD candidate and Associate Lecturer at The Courtauld Institute of Art. His research focuses on the impact of global ludic culture on contemporary Chinese art, examining themes of gaming, parody, performativity, and the intersection of art with internet culture and political engagement. He is supervised by Dr. Wenny Teo and funded by the CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership.

Education:

• PhD Candidate (2020–present), The Courtauld Institute of Art
• MA History of Art (Global China) (2017–2018), The Courtauld Institute of Art
• BA Ancient and Modern History (2013–2016), Trinity College, University of Oxford

Research Interests:

Shan's work bridges ludology, digital culture, and East Asian geopolitics. He explores mediated gender identity, virtual worldbuilding, and the role of memes in networked societies. His analysis of Sinofuturism and techno-orientalism critiques global cultural narratives while interrogating art's capacity as a counter-public space.

Teaching & Experience:

• Associate Lecturer: Histories (BA2), 2023
• Teaching Assistant: Frameworks (BA2), Foundations (BA1), Courtauld Summer University (2021)
• Guest Lecturer: Global China (MA) and Body, Space and Power in Contemporary Chinese Art (BA), 2021

Awards:

• CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership (2020–2023)
• Kevin Knox Prize, Trinity College, University of Oxford (2016)

Additional Roles:

• Editor-in-Chief, immediations (2022–2023)
• PhD Student Union Representative (2021–2022)
• Co-Founder, CHASE Digital Methods Network (2020)