Jessica Fuk-yin Kong is a doctoral candidate in the Department of  media and communications. She is passionate about music and has always been curious about the communicative power of sound. Because of this, Jessica’s doctoral research project explores the role of sound, rationality, culture, affect and emotion, in creating collective identity in social movements, specifically in the Women's March in London and the Anti-Trump Protests. 

Before starting her academic journey at the LSE, Jessica had a career at Radio Television Hong Kong, hosting radio programs from a societal perspective. 

Jessica's passion in sound and music started growing from a very young age – when she first started learning the piano as a little girl. Her favorite classical composers are Mozart, Chopin, and Schubert. Besides being a doctoral candidate, Jessica is a seminar teacher and an associate study advisor at  LSE. 

Jessica, did you always intend to go into academia? If not, what made you pursue a career in this field?

This is a great question – reminding me how dynamic life can be! I don’t think I had a firm intention right from the start, but I have always been enjoying taking a deep dive into the literature and thinking about philosophical questions (without having answers), since my undergraduate studies. After graduation, I worked as a radio host for some years. It was a wonderful job to take on. I loved doing that, and I’m still loving it, and missing on-air time, I think. Yet in those days, I had a thought and feeling, that I need something more in-depth – not only presenting content which is entertaining. Of course, those programming were also meaningfully significant, but everyday work was relatively like putting on a show, which was fun and meaningful to me as well as to the audience (I hoped!), but I need something more in-depth, and I guess because of this, I was missing the feeling of enjoyment I found in deep reading and thinking. Because of this, I went back to academia, exploring the communicative role of music.

My passion is in sound and music, and I noticed this since I was a little girl, when I started playing the piano. And for now, when I look back, I have never moved away from sound and music – as a radio host I communicated with audiences via sound and music; for my masters thesis I explored functions of protest music; and as for now, for my doctoral project, I’m researching on the role of sound (including but not limiting to music), in constructing collective identity in social movements. So, I think I am exploring the communicative capacities of sound, in different forms. Sonic communication is a relatively novice focus, comparing to others in the field of media and communications, but I love it, and I think this is one of the missing pieces that should be given more attention to.

Since being an academic researcher in the field of communications will allow me to dive deep in the literature, and keep on exploring the communicative role of sound and music, I see this as a potential development for myself.

What made you interested in media and communications and specifically the area that you research?

I am always curious about the communicative abilities of sound. I guess because I’m a pianist, there is always a question in my mind – how could music touch people’s heart? We all have that experience I guess – that in moments of sadness and happiness, you would look for some musical accompaniment. Or, when entering a social event, you can just be captivated by the sonic environment – the microphone, the sound system, the human voice, chit-chatting...etc. Sound is powerful in communication, not only in meaningful and discursive ways, but also emotional, affective, and practical ways. I love this topic, and I see myself as a researcher, specifying in sonic communication, or communications and sound studies.

Also, my first inspiration in communication goes back to 2003, when my hometown – Hong Kong was experiencing the SARS pandemic. I was a little girl, and I remembered what I could do every day during the lockdown, was basically staying at home, like everyone else at the moment, more or less, as we are witnessing COVID-19. Back then, what I could depend on, was the television at home. I remembered it was exciting to watch the main news every day, hoping the number of confirmed infection cases would be decreasing. I was thinking, “Wow! The media is powerful! That’s my only way to know what’s going on in the world!”. Partly because of this primary instinct, I have chosen to study journalism and communication for my undergraduate studies, which to some extent serves as a foundation for my academic pursue in communications.

What advice you would give students who are thinking of pursuing a PhD/career in academia?

I think my advice will be surrounding two points – your interest, and ways to pursue it. Firstly, regarding interest, is there a subject matter that you’re really interested in, or even passionate about, that you could foresee yourself exploring it for a few years? It could also be a question that has been sticking in your mind for an extended period. Secondly, in terms of ways to pursue your interest, ask yourself - “do you prefer a theoretical or practical style to explore your interest/ passion?” I think all of us would have an interest/ passion, but you don’t necessarily need a PhD to pursue it. Besides doing a PhD to explore your interest/ question, are there alternatives that you would consider? Everyone is different and special, and you are the one knowing yourself the best (for most of the time I guess!). Based on your experience, personality, and the type of career and lifestyle that you would like to develop, is doing a PhD or pursuing an academic career something that suits you? I hope these questions would be useful for reflection.

On the issue you study, where do you see this issue going? Where will it be in 10 years for instance?

I’m exploring the role of sound, rationality, meaning, emotion, and affect in creating collective identity in social movements. In the coming times, perhaps there will be heated debate developing surrounding the concept of affect. Stemming from a sociological tradition, rationality and meaning, and emotion and affect, are traditionally placed in polar directions (Caze, 2005; Kant, 1996; Smelser, 1998). However, in the past two decades, greater attention is given to the communicative abilities of affect and emotion, and their relations to structure and power. Discussion in the future may be developing surrounding the debate regarding affect and materiality, and their role in countering structure and power.

Secondly, regarding social movement studies, recent studies have been focusing on online activism in a globalized mediated world. For sure this is still of the current situation to a large extent, and we are excited to explore more in this. However, because of the current pandemic and tensions seen in international relations, firstly, it is important to revisit the concept of globalization. The changing geo-politics is affecting mediation processes, and as a result, influencing activism, both from a local and global perspective.

As for sound studies – it's still a developing field, and I could see the concept is increasingly being touched on in different disciplines – fine arts, psychology, cultural studies, geography, and sociology. Sound is one of the key mediums of communications, and I can see it to be developing, not only as a side-issue to be touched on within an established field, but as a stand-alone major field, with its own developed approaches and rationale.

What do you think is the most important contemporary issue in the field of media and communications, both for soon-to-be graduate students and for professionals in the field?

I don’t think it’s fair to pick one or two contemporary issues based on their level of perceived importance, and it’s challenging to do so, too! But personally speaking, I think the issue of consent and privacy in personalized media is something everyone should be aware of. Data is part of us. As a subject, we create data, we use it, we sell it; meanwhile, data represents us, and data becomes us. We have to be reflexive and critical about how data is shaping us, in our everyday life.

What do you enjoy most about teaching students and why? 

I enjoy teaching very much. There are many things I like about it – being able to interact with students, sharing and discussing ideas and knowledge, developing a bonding, and so on. The best thing, I would say, is being able to learn from each other. We are human beings, who have unique ideas and thoughts, based on our identity, culture, and history. When having discussion with students, our ideas and thoughts encounter, which is a beautiful moment to map out the picture, as well as to stretch our minds.

I also treasure interactions with students. It’s definitely lovely to listen to them, and to see their smiling faces.

What you like doing when you are not busy researching?

Quite a lot of different things, really. I love playing the piano, writing music, doing some yoga and meditation, watching the cloud; and currently, I have started exploring cooking as well! In fact, I include all these in my daily routine, regardless of the amount of time I can spend on each of them. Doing research is taking a big part, of course, but I think it’s a good approach to nurture yourself and your day with different nutritious ingredients.

What advice would you give Masters students who are currently studying during lockdown?

Firstly, take good care of your mind. From a psychological perspective, we are who we think we are – that the meaning we attached to things and events will impact the way we see it, and feel about it. Try to see this period as a luxury in terms of time and flexibility. I know it may not be applied to all, but if you do, try to think in this way; and if you don’t, is there any positivity brought to you during this period of time?

Secondly, tailor make a timetable for yourself, the more specific the better, and don’t forget to include other life areas that you would like to nurture.

Thirdly, work and connect with someone that you’re comfortable being with. We are social beings who needs social support and communities. Not seeing people face to face doesn’t mean you can’t connect with them (same applies to the opposite – talking with each other face to face won't necessarily bring about an engaging conversation!). Try to engage with people and the group you are in, and appreciate and enjoy each other’s company.