JAIST Nakawake Lab

Primary Research Focus 

Our lab focuses on employing methodologies from psychology (primarily social and experimental psychology) and cultural informatics to empirically elucidate the relationship between culture and human society. To do so, we employed various research methods such as laboratory experiments, social surveys, quantitative text analysis, computer simulations, and field experiments. Following cultural evolution theory, we define culture as an ‘information or knowledge system socially transmitted’. Our research primarily targets the following three broad themes:

1)    Stories (e.g., fiction, rumours, folklore, fake news)

2)    Technologies (e.g., projectiles, robots, artificial intelligence,    technological investment)

3)    Belief systems (e.g., superstitions, religions, rituals, moral norms)

(Note: My expertise lies in psychology; however, topics like mental health or workplace motivation are outside my specialization, making it challenging to provide research assistance. However, if you could formulate those topics in a theoretical format such as mathematical models [e.g., game theory, rational choice theory], our lab might be possible to support your research.)

Addressing Contemporary Issues 

We are particularly interested in the ethical implications and benefits brought about by artificial intelligence, and how those could influence our belief systems (or vice versa). Additionally, we are interested in meta-research on science and technology themselves as one form of culturally transmitted informational units (we approach innovation in science and technology as an exploration problem of fitness landscapes). As applied research of narratives and belief systems, we are interested in cognitive information strategies such as the manipulation of information in social and media spaces, including rumours and fake news. 

We are also interested in applying theories and analytical methods from ecology (e.g., community ecology, mathematical ecology, behavioural ecology) to cultural studies. For instance, we focus on areas such as biodiversity indices, population dynamics, and optimal foraging theory. We collaborate with ecologists to conduct research that applies ecological principles to culture, aiming to examine the biocultural diversity encompassing not only flora and fauna but also human cultural behaviour, with a goal of contributing to sustainable societies.

In addition to the aforementioned topics, we are also interested in studying the cultural evolution of corporate culture, regional culture, or social institutions (e.g., voting systems). Additionally, we explore the evolution of culture in various domains ranging from martial arts, fashion, dance, painting to subculture. We are willing to apply data science and artificial intelligence to research in various humanities and social science disciplines.

Q & A for potential lab members.

• Q. Do I need to be fluent in Japanese?

  • A. Not necessarily. JAIST is one of the few graduate universities in Japan where you can take classes in English. It would be no problem as long as you are fluent in English. (If you can speak a little Japanese, it would help you live here. But many people still survive without the Japanese).

• Q. I am neither fluent in English nor Japanese. Can I do well?

  • A. It may be tough. I think you can do well in our lab if you have a basic understanding of programming, statistics, and psychological experiments. However, if you have none of those, that might be tough. I recommend you contact me if you are interested.

• Q. What level of English proficiency is required?

  • A. Don't worry. I am a non-native English speaker as well. There would be no problems If you could complete a class provided in English at an undergraduate university or college.

• Q. Can I do psychology at your lab?

  • A. Yes, you can definitely do that, as I am a psychologist. But I can not advise you on all psychological topics or disciplines. It is possible if it your interest is relevant to what is written above.

• Q. Can  I  be paid?

  • A. No. But  you can apply for scholarships provided by the Japanese government. Please find the information here.

• Q. Can I apply for a grant for a short lab visit provided by the Japanese government?

  • A. I would love to help you get a grant to visit our lab.