Mie Takikawa

Mie is a Ph.D. student in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) program. Before coming to KU, she distinguished herself as Summa Cum Laude at Kanto Gakuin University in Japan for her Bachelor's in Intercultural Studies. After coming to Kansas, Mie earned her Master’s in WGSS at the University of Kansas and has presented her research twice at the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs.

Mie's current research explores minority women’s creation and utilization of their fictional works based on existing media such as comics, animation, and games in Japan to promote self-actualization. Specifically, her project explores one such practice: women’s fiction creation around Boys Love; a work depicting men’s romantic or sexual relationships; to manage their mental well-being and enhance social mobility in Japanese society.

In her professional career, Mie worked as a learning assistant for With The World inc. in Japan to facilitate discussions regarding environmental deconstruction, women’s poverty, and women’s rights among university students across Asia.