Biography

Zhang Boyan is an independent researcher specializing in video game and culture-related studies. His research interests encompass video games, historical game studies, media studies, Japanese studies, and globalization. Zhang earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan and an MA degree from the MALCS program at the University of Hong Kong. His MA dissertation, titled “Valkyria Chronicles 4: Counterfactual Narratives, Memory-Making, and Pseudo-History in Video Games”, was recommended by the program to be lodged in the University of Hong Kong’s library.

Experience at MALCS

The most valuable skill I acquired during my time in the MALCS program is the ability to independently plan and conduct research in the humanities. After completing my undergraduate studies, I realized that research methodology was a weak area for me. To address this, I chose to pursue a master’s degree at MALCS. Nearly all of the courses in our program culminate in independent research assignments, offering a high degree of flexibility in topic selection. Professors actively encourage students to explore their interests within the scope of the course content and provide continuous support. In particular, the courses “CLIT7020 Introduction to Research Methods” and “CLIT7012 Dissertation Seminar” gave me the opportunity to begin researching topics I was passionate about from scratch, with ongoing guidance from my supervisor and other highly specialized faculty members.

Nearly all of the courses in our program culminate in independent research assignments, offering a high degree of flexibility in topic selection. Professors actively encourage students to explore their interests within the scope of the course content and provide continuous support.

Words for Fellow MALCS Students and Potential Applicants

For those who are planning to write a dissertation or pursue a higher degree and engage in research-related work after graduation, I personally recommend enrolling in “CLIT7020 Introduction to Research Methods” in your first semester. This course offers an opportunity to learn the full process of conducting independent research in the humanities and allows you to develop your own topic from the very beginning, with guidance from the professor. In our year, some classmates in the dissertation seminar did not have a clear plan for their future when they first enrolled and later regretted not choosing courses better suited to their goals. As an experienced alumnus, I hope this brief advice can help guide your decisions.

Given that this is a one-year program, time is limited, and it’s important to plan early. If you intend to pursue academic research after graduation, don’t miss the opportunity to take courses like CLIT7012 and CLIT7020 to hone your writing and research skills. If you plan to pursue a career in film, art, or other creative fields, you may want to choose courses that fit your interests and gain practical experience. For example, in “CLIT7022 Screen Documentaries,” we spent the first half of the semester learning about documentary theories as well as filmmaking skills, and in the second half, we worked in groups of four to film a documentary on a topic of our choosing, continuously refining it throughout the process.

Although the MALCS program is only one year long, it is highly intensive. The professors and the entire team make a concerted effort to broaden the scope of the program, offering a comprehensive and diverse range of content within the field of “cultural and film studies”. I gained everything I hoped for during my time in the program, and I wish you all a fulfilling and successful year ahead!