معرفی
Shuma Iwai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on Japanese American history, civil rights movements, and anti-Asian discrimination, with a particular emphasis on historical activism and social justice. Iwai has published works on topics ranging from WWII incarceration camps to missionary reforms addressing racial injustice. She actively collaborates across disciplines, co-presenting on curricular initiatives like Wisconsin Act 266, which mandates the inclusion of Asian American histories in education. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary social justice advocacy.
Education:
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests: Iwai’s scholarship examines the intersections of race, religion, and social movements in Japanese American communities. Recent studies include Galen Fisher’s activism against anti-Japanese sentiments, the role of missionaries in combating racism, and the modernization of religious practices like pilgrimage. Her work frequently highlights marginalized narratives to inform current anti-discrimination efforts.
Notable Contributions:
- Authored Advocating for the Civil Rights of Japanese Americans at the Incarceration Camps (2024)
- Presented on Wisconsin Act 266’s impact on Asian American education at Wisconsin-NAME (2024)
- Edited entries on Middle Asia (Encyclopedia, 2019)
Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Iwai collaborates on multidisciplinary projects, including curriculum development for anti-Asian bias education. She has presented at conferences like the Association for Asian Studies and Yale-Edinburgh Conference.
