Kazue Harada

Kazue Harada is an Assistant Professor of Japanese at Miami University's Department of German, Russian, Asian, and Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures (GRAMELAC). She specializes in modern Japanese literature, with a focus on women's science fiction and gender studies. Her research explores themes of posthumanism, reproductive futurism, and queer family models within speculative narratives.

Dr. Harada earned her bachelor's degree from a women's university in Hiroshima, followed by a master's in Vancouver and a PhD at Washington University in St. Louis (2015). She teaches Japanese language and civilization courses, emphasizing communicative competence and cultural sensitivity. Her current projects include expanding her dissertation on Japanese women's science fiction into a book and mentoring students in interdisciplinary research.

Research Interests:

• Gender representation in speculative fiction
• Posthuman bodies and kinship systems
• Ecocritical analyses of disaster narratives
• Queer family models in futurist literature

Her work bridges literary analysis with sociopolitical critique, challenging traditional gender norms in science fiction genres.

Teaching: Focuses on immersive language learning and culturally sensitive discussions in topics like manga, anime, and fan fiction. She incorporates student perspectives to contextualize Japanese culture through modern media.

Personal: Enjoys long-distance running, marathon training, and mindfulness meditation via Miami University's wellness programs. These activities provide balance to her academic pursuits.