Amateur Culture, Platform Economy, Precarious Life Workshop

When:
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 7:00 pm - Friday, June 27, 2025 6:00 pm
Where:

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

Description:

From June 25 to 27, fifty scholars, writers and researchers gathered at UChicago Center in Beijing for a workshop titled “Amateur Culture, Platform Economy, Precarious Life”, which discussed the opportunities and challenges brought by the rise of the platform economy, particularly focusing on the contemporary working-class condition and related cultural production under the platform economy.

The event was hosted by Paola Iovene, Associate Professor at the Department of EALC at UChicago, Chun Chun (Isha) Ting, an independent scholar, and Zhang Huiyu, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University. Key themes included the gig economy’s erosion of worker dignity, the role of self-media in amplifying marginalized voices and evolving patronage systems like virtual gifting. The schedule featured roundtables and presentations on topics ranging from reproductive labor to AI’s influence on cultural production.

Notable sessions included discussions on the evolution of rural literature, the affordances of literature, amateur culture across China, and grassroots initiatives like the Picun Literature Group, showcasing marginalized voices in contemporary Chinese literature. Following each day’s presentation and roundtable sessions, discussion groups were included to provide the scholars with opportunities for deeper engagement. These rich exchanges not only illuminated the complex realities of platform labor and cultural production, but also forged meaningful connections between academic research and on-the-ground experiences, creating a dynamic space for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

Held at the University of Chicago Center in Beijing, the event highlighted the Center’s role in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on pressing social issues. As always, the support and coordination provided by the Center is vital to the event’s success.