Research Initiatives

Welcome to the Research Initiatives section of the TCSSN. This network is dedicated to interdisciplinary exploration at the intersection of technology, art, social theory, and global collaboration. We focus on complex social dynamics, often utilizing the creation and evolution of tangible objects and community practices as lenses to understand human connection, innovation, and the intricate structures of the modern world.

Below are the core research areas currently emphasized and explored by this network:

1. Warhammer Cross-Cultural Community Practices

This project examines differences in social interaction within Warhammer hobbyist communities in the UK and East Asia, investigating how cultural backgrounds influence community norms and participation modes.

2. Global Handmade Networks

This project explores how global networks of handmade craft enthusiasts collaboratively impact global production and supply chains, presenting the resilience and fragility of global collaboration through unique “drifting” art practices, and examining individual value.

3. Technical Skill Formation

This research investigates formal and informal mechanisms for enhancing technical workers’ production and innovation capabilities in developing countries.

4. Hobbyist Innovation Spillover & Innovation Behaviors among Hobbyist-driven Inventors

This research combines two closely related areas, exploring how hobbyist tool improvements influence technical innovation within professional manufacturing sectors and analyzing the innovation behaviors and knowledge ecosystems of non-professional, hobbyist-driven inventors.

5. Latecomer Hobbyist Potential

This topic focuses on miniature model-making hobbyists in latecomer countries, examining how informal organizational resources contribute to social capital formation and broader social transformation potential.

6. Fan Studies Critique

This research critically examines existing theoretical frameworks in Fan Studies, aiming to highlight limitations and gaps in their explanatory scope, and discussing the necessity and directions for theoretical updates.

All the research initiatives outlined above collectively reflect a profound philosophical foundation: we believe that society operates more like a complex and interconnected “web” than a rigid hierarchical structure. They embody the conviction that value resides in every individual’s contribution, transcending conventional metrics of success or background. Through these initiatives, we aim to elucidate and celebrate the inherent worth within diverse social roles, presenting a world built on connection, resilience, and collaborative human endeavor.