Takashi Nishiyama

Takashi Nishiyama, Ph.D

Associate Professor
(585) 395-5687
tnishiya@brockport.edu
Office: Liberal Arts 325

Education

  • PhD, The Ohio State University (2005) - History
  • B.A., The Ohio State University (magna cum laude) (1993) - International Relations

Areas of Specialty

  • Modern Japan
  • History of Technology
  • History of International Migration

Research Interests

Dr. Nishiyama is currently conducting two research projects. The first one is a trans-national/international history of wartime experiences during the twentieth century. It aims to explore the interrelatedness between suicide, technology, and culture (specifically, gender) by asking the following question: how could altruism be (mis)conceptualized, rationalized, and promoted for homeland defense? This study compares Japan during World War II and the United States during the early Cold War, while referring to similar experiences in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. His second project is a social and international history of intellectual migration in science, technology, and medicine. It examines the content and context of Japanese “brains” moving across national borders during the twentieth century.

Professional Positions

  • Visiting Research Associate Professor, Soken University, Japan (2019)
  • Research Associate, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (2017-18)
  • Verville Fellow, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (2016-17)
  • Visiting Researcher,East-West Center (2014-15)
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology, MIT (2004-2006)
  • Kyoryoku Researcher, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo University (2002-04)

Selected Professional Consultation

  • Consulting for Darlow Smithson Productions (located in London/television broadcast in 2015 by PBS)
  • Interviewed by Mainichi (one of Japan’s major national newspapers) for the October 3, 2014 Osaka issue
  • Interviewed by Yomiuri (one of Japan’s major national newspapers) for the August 6, 2013 issue
  • Consulting for NHK (Japan’s sole public broadcaster) as an expert on the Japanese Navy during World War II (episode aired nationwide on 10 August 2009)
  • Interviewed on the nationally televised program in Japan, “Lifeline,” in the 30-minute episode about the Bullet Train,” Pacific Broadcast Association, Aired nationwide on August 10, 2009.