Junko HamanakaView profile
Professor
Junko Hamanaka is a Professor at the Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences at Waseda University (2019–present), following positions at The University of Tokyo (2017–2019) and the National Center for University Entrance Examinations (2006–2016). Her research focuses on the sociology of education , particularly higher education systems , educational policy , and gender disparities in learning . Key Research Areas Higher education curriculum management Educational effectiveness and expenditure University-enrollment transitions Gender dynamics in academic performance Research Trends : Her 15 most recent publications (2008–2025) examine topics like gender time gaps in academia , curriculum reforms , and cross-national comparisons of educational systems , with methodologies spanning qualitative interviews and quantitative panel surveys . Notable projects include analyzing lifelong learning for working women and ICT's impact on educational practices . Awards : 37th Labor Relations Outstanding Book Award (2014) 4th Japan Society for Educational Sociology Encouragement Award (2011) She leads major research grants like the JSPS Grant for 'Characteristics of East Asian Higher Education Systems' (2023–2026) and 'University Learning Behaviors' (2024–2028), and has published extensively on educational policy , student learning structures , and graduate labor market evaluations .






