Yigang Qin is a Ph.D. student at the iSchool. His research falls into the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Science and Technologies Studies (STS). Right now, he is critically looking at digital technologies’ relationships to contemporary work and labor practices. His thinking is shaped by theories on sociomaterial intra-actions, (non)human agencies, and structuration of sociotechnical systems, among others. He’s also enriching his research with theory and qualitative method classes from the Sociology Department.
Before Ph.D. study, Yigang earned his B.S. in Computer Science at City University of Hong Kong but found his passion for social studies of digital tech after encountering literary theories.
Yigang is obsessed with kiwis, and sometimes goes by the name “Kiwi” in English. Because in Chinese, “kiwi” (Qi Yi Guo) shares the same initials as his name—Qin, Yi Gang. When he’s not having a headache about the mysteries of tech, you’ll find him sketching, strumming his guitar, or enjoying the outdoors. Also, he’s a self-proclaimed freestyle roller-skating pro.
To browse through his research and travel snaps, check out his personal website.