Daiwa Scholars 2017

Dr Jennifer Handsel

Jennifer Handsel was awarded an MChem (Hons) in Computational Chemistry by the University of Surrey in 2011 and a DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry by the University of Oxford in 2017. As a child she lived in both Belgium and France, and became fluent in French. During her teenage years she developed an interest in Japanese, studied some Japanese and also encountered Yukio Mishima’s short stories which left a deep impression. Her career goal is to become an academic researcher in the field of spin chemistry and to further links with Japanese scientists. She has investigated how animals perceive the earth’s magnetic field, which is thought to rely on a quantum mechanical mechanism similar to the one she is studying. She would like to spend time in Japan as it is home to a large community of world-class spin chemists.

While on the Scholarship, Jennifer spent her homestay in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture and her work placement at International House of Japan.

Matin Khadem

Matin Khadem completed a BA (Hons) degree in Economics at the University of Cambridge in 2017. He first visited Japan in 2007 on an 11-day culture and ecology focused school trip to Aichi Prefecture, which was partly funded by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, attending some Japanese language classes as preparation. He enjoys Japanese anime, cinema and 80s J-pop, and has an academic interest in the challenges affecting Japan as it struggles with deflation and an ageing population. He would like to complete an MA (in Japan) and a PhD in Economics. His ambition is to continue his research and to contribute towards and shape major public policy reform at the national and international level, with a focus on changes in industrial strategy and furthering advancements in monetary policy in the context of an increasingly interconnected world.

While on the Scholarship, Matin spent his homestay in Haebaru, Okinawa Prefecture and his work placement at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Economics.

From November 2020, Matin began a full-time position as an associate at the Tokyo office of L.E.K., a British management consultancy firm.

Tumi Markan

Tumi Markan completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Archaeology at University College London in 2017. He has been interested in metallurgy since he was a child and his interest in Japanese swords blossomed three to four years ago. He visited Japan in summer 2016 to take part in the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures’ Summer Programme in Japanese Arts and Heritage, and also attended the World Archaeology Conference which, in 2016, was held in Kyoto. He spent two extra weeks in Japan to travel around the country. Tumi’s interest in archaeometallurgy and his fascination with the production of traditional Japanese swords has grown while he has trained as an archaeologist. His aim is to stimulate greater public interest in Japanese swords and their craftsmanship.

While on the Scholarship, Tumi spent his homestay in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture and his work placement at the Setouchi City Hall and the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum.

In April 2022 Tumi returned to Japan in order to work at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum in Okayama Prefecture.

Victoria McIvor

Victoria McIvor completed a BSc (Hons) in Physics at the University of Glasgow in 2014 and consequently joined the two-year nuclear graduate programme as a Radiological Protection Engineer. During this time she completed a postgraduate certificate in Nuclear Technology at the University of Manchester.  Having worked on sites across the UK, her final role before departure for Tokyo was in decommissioning fuel ponds for Magnox Ltd as an Accredited Health Physicist.  She is interested in the partnerships the UK and Japan are currently establishing across the nuclear industry. She has never visited Japan but she has undertaken some Japanese language study, and has long been fascinated by the country. She is keen to gain experience at the forefront of global collaborations in the field of nuclear energy.

While on the Scholarship, Victoria spent her homestay in Kuroshio City, Kochi Prefecture and her work placement at TRENDE, an online renewable energy retailer.

In 2019, Victoria began working in Amsterdam as an Analyst at SET Ventures, a European Smart Energy Venture Capital firm. She moved on in November 2021 to join World Fund (a venture capital fund built around the belief that decarbonisation is the key value driver for the future) as an Investment Associate.

She is also co-founder and director of Climate Mosaic.

Dr Heather Steele

Heather Steele completed a BEng (Hons) degree in Electronic Engineering in 2014 and a PhD in Electronic Engineering in 2017, both at the University of Birmingham. She studied within the Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education and is a member of the Young Rail Professionals. She has never been to Japan, but has a keen interest in its language and culture, and has an academic interest in Japan’s railway industry as it is a world leader in terms of technology and safety. She aims to lead and promote global cutting-edge research into improving and transforming railways by working with both academia and industry and fostering UK-Japan collaboration.

While on the Scholarship, Heather spent her homestay in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture and her work placement at the Railway Technical Research Institute.

Heather is currently a Research Fellow at the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education.

Edmund Stenson

Edmund Stenson completed a BA (Hons) degree in Film and Literature at the University of Warwick in 2010 and an MA in Film Studies at Concordia University, Montreal in 2015. He works as a filmmaker in both documentary and fiction genres. He has a long-standing interest in Japanese cinema, which began when he encountered Takashi Miike films, and which led him to explore other Japanese directors including Yasujiro Ōzu, Seijun Suzuki and Hiroshi Teshigahara. He spent a year at Tokyo University while completing his BA, studying Japanese language, history and culture. He hopes to become a director and to make films that highlight under-represented issues in the UK, Japan and elsewhere. Deepening his understanding of Japanese culture will allow him to explore aesthetic and formal cinematic innovation.

While on the Scholarship, Edmund spent his homestay in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture and his work placement at Koto Production, a film production company.

He is currently working as director, producer and editor in Canada.