Roger Goodman

Prof. Roger Goodman is the Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies at the University of Oxford and Warden of St. Antony's College. He holds leadership roles in the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Social Sciences Division. His career spans over 40 years, including a doctorate in social anthropology (1982), a Junior Research Fellowship (1985–88), and professorships at the University of Essex and Oxford. His research focuses on Japanese education, social policy, and comparative studies of East Asia and the UK.

• Education: PhD in Social Anthropology (St Antony’s College, 1982)
• Affiliations: Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, OSGA, St Antony’s College

Research interests include Japanese education systems, youth culture, social welfare policies, and cross-cultural comparisons. His work bridges anthropology and sociology, addressing themes like demographic shifts, university governance, and policy reform. Notable publications include Family-Run Universities in Japan (2020) and Children of the Japanese State (2000).

• Awards: Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2013), Academy President (2020–)

He has supervised ~40 doctoral theses, covering topics from Shinto shrines to education reform. His teaching emphasizes anthropological perspectives on Japanese society, including kinship systems, gender, and popular culture.