Hiroaki Ataka

Research Interests

Critical theories of IR and IPE; Sociology of IR; Disciplinary history of IR; Comparative history of international systems; Critical geopolitics of East Asia; Critical Security Studies; Politics of neoliberalism.

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor of Law in Political Science (03/2001 Keio University)
Master of Arts in International Political Economy (09/2004 University of Warwick)
Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Studies (09/2010 University of Warwick)

Academic Experience

09/2010-03/2011	Lecturer, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick
04/2011-03/2022	Associate Professor, College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University
09/2015-03/2017	Visiting Associate Professor, School of International Service, American University
04/2022-present	Professor, College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University

Selected Publications

Books and Book Chapters

Hiroaki Ataka. 2018. “Has International Relations Theories Ended?: Looking at Reflexivity through Global IR.” in The End of “International Politics”: Response from Japan. Kyoto: Nakanishiya Publishing.
Norihisa Yamashita, Hiroaki Ataka and Atsushi Shibasaki, eds. 2016. Deconstructing the Westphalian Discourse: International Relations as Historiography. Kyoto: Nakanishiya Publishing.
Hiroaki Ataka. 2013. “English School as Critical Theory,” in The English School of International Relations, eds. Makoto Sato, Makoto Onaka and Josuke Ikeda. Tokyo: Nihon Keizai Hyouronsha. 112-129.

Articles:

Hiroaki Ataka. 2017. “Resilience of Neoliberalism: The Performative Effects of Neoliberalism in Post-Crisis America.” The Annuals of Japanese Political Science Association. 2017(1): 57-79.
Hiroaki Ataka. 2016. “Geopolitics or Geobody Politics? Understanding the Rise of China and its Actions in the South China Sea.” Asian Journal of Peacebuilding. 4(1): 77-95.
Hiroaki Ataka. 2013. “Unthinking the Westphalian Narrative: Towards a Plural Future of World Politics.” Proceedings of the Second Afrasian International Symposium. 197-215.

Hobbies

(Mostly watching) football, reading, eating, going to pubs. Walking along Kamogawa is another favorite past time since coming to Kyoto.

Q1What are your current teaching areas and current research themes?: My main areas of teaching are International Relations theories and critical approaches to International Relations.

On the Undergraduate level, I currently teach courses such as: Theories of International Relations, Contemporary International Politics, Theories of International Politics and Advanced Seminar. On the Postgraduate level, I teach Theories of International Relations and Advanced Seminar.

My current research cluster around themes such as: theoretical and pedagogical foundations of Global IR, sociology of IR (knowledge production), and poststructural approaches to borders and boundaries
Q2What do you think the biggest appeal of the JDP is for students?: In my view, the biggest appeal of the JDP is the ethos of diversity and inclusion that underpins the program. Students will be exposed to multiple views and perspectives, both inside and outside of class. Global IR, which students will be studying, is an exciting new movement within the study of IR that aims at exactly this—by bring in the practices and experiences of the historically under-represented “non-West.” They will be challenged to think creatively and critically about how we look at the world, which, I believe, will equip them with the sense of bridge-building attitude needed in today’s world.
Q3What do you expect future JDP students to learn and experience during their studies in the JDP?: JDP students will be acquiring the tool box needed to understand the world as well as the know-how to use it to better grasp the world through the experts and specialists in both the College of International Relations at RU and the School of International Service at AU. By immersing in multiple academic and cultural environments, students will have a better understanding of the dynamic region of Asia-Pacific and beyond, but also (by acquiring a critical and reflexive mode of thought) of yourself and what/where you stand.

Beyond the academic side of things, students will have a chance to experience the best of two different worlds: traditional capital Kyoto, with its rich cultural heritage; and Washington DC, the center of activity in contemporary international politics.