James is currently directing a 3 year ethnographic study on the smart city through Irish Research Council Laureate funding. He has overseen and managed projects with companies such as RPS Ireland (on settlement impacts & socio-cultural integration), and, the Department of the Taoiseach (2010 World Expo, Irish Pavilion exhibition). He invites collaboration from industry in his ongoing projects on digital transitions and the entanglements of AI tech with social life.
His PhD research was based on 2 years’ ethnographic fieldwork in urban China culminating in an monograph titled "China at a Threshold: Exploring Social Change in Techno-Social Systems" with Routledge 2020.
He was General Editor of the Irish Journal of Anthropology from 2014 to 2019 and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
Social Effects of Technology,
Social Factors within Cyber Security,
Techno-Anthropology / Cyber Anthropology
Anthropological & Ethnographic Research
2022/2023 –
Sem 2/3: IRC Laureate, AY6002 (shared) AY6004. AY6005 (shared) AY6010 (shared) Sem 1: IRC Laureate from Sept ’22, AY6001 (shared)
2021/2022 – Sem 2/3: Sabbatical (From Jan, 6 months)
Sem 1: CR3001, AY6001 (shared), CR1001 (shared), AY2002 (50%) 2020/2021 –
Sem 2/3: AY6004, CR2025, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (shared), CR3002 (shared)
2019/2020 –
Sem 2/3: CR2025, CR6020, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (shared), CR3002 (shared) Sem 1: CR1001, CR3001, AY6001 (shared)
Sem 1: CR1001, CR3001, AY6001 (coordinator, shared),
2018/2019 –
Sem 2/3: CR2025, CR6020, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (Shared), CR3002 (shared)
Sem 1: CR3009, CR1001, AY6001 (shared), CR3001, CR6014 (shared)
Biography
Dr. James Cuffe is an anthropologist and lecturer with the Department of Sociology & Criminology at UCC. His research interests include cyber-anthropology, anthropology of technology, technologies and techniques of social control, particularly anthropology and the 'smart city'. He holds an area expertise on Chinese society and culture.James is currently directing a 3 year ethnographic study on the smart city through Irish Research Council Laureate funding. He has overseen and managed projects with companies such as RPS Ireland (on settlement impacts & socio-cultural integration), and, the Department of the Taoiseach (2010 World Expo, Irish Pavilion exhibition). He invites collaboration from industry in his ongoing projects on digital transitions and the entanglements of AI tech with social life.
His PhD research was based on 2 years’ ethnographic fieldwork in urban China culminating in an monograph titled "China at a Threshold: Exploring Social Change in Techno-Social Systems" with Routledge 2020.
He was General Editor of the Irish Journal of Anthropology from 2014 to 2019 and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
Research Interests
Social Factors within Cyber Security,
Techno-Anthropology / Cyber Anthropology
Anthropological & Ethnographic Research
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Research Council Laureate Award Programme 2021/22: CyberSocial | Irish Research Council | 01-SEP-22 | 31-AUG-25 | €399,780.00 | |
| Life Stages of the Techno-Human | Enterprise Irl | 18-APR-19 | 17-JUL-20 | €13,200.00 | |
| Life stages of the techno-human: mitigating negative social effects of the technological to promote sociality | Enterprise Irl | 26-APR-18 | 26-JAN-19 | €13,470.00 | |
| Social & Economic Policy and Irish Work Practices | Higher Education Authority (HEA) | 01-SEP-17 | 01-SEP-21 | €68,000.00 | |
| Social Living in Rural Ireland | Higher Education Authority (HEA) | 01-SEP-17 | 01-SEP-21 | €68,000.00 |
Contract Researchers
| Researcher Name | Project | Role | Funding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Phelan | Techno-Human | Research Assistant | Enterprise Ireland | |
| Iris Maher | Techno-Human | Research Assistant | Enterprise Ireland | |
| Dr. Kayla Rush | ERC Application | Research Assistant | Enterprise Ireland |
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | China at a Threshold: Exploring Social Change in Techno-Social Systems. James B. Cuffe (2019) China at a Threshold: Exploring Social Change in Techno-Social Systems. London: Routledge. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2021) | 'Diffuse Disciplining: On the pervasive nature of autonomous systems and its consequences' James Cuffe (2021) 'Diffuse Disciplining: On the pervasive nature of autonomous systems and its consequences' In: Aleš Završnik, Vasja Badalič (eds). Automating Crime Prevention, Surveillance, and Military Operations. Germany: Springer. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Ethnographic Field Methods' James Cuffe, Fiona Larkan, Akinmayọwa Lawal (2017) 'Ethnographic Field Methods' In: Nurudeen Alliyu, Richard Aborisade, Samuel Fasanmi (eds). Research Methods in Social and Management Sciences. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Beauty & Careful Representation: Interpreting the Social and the Cosmic' James Cuffe (2012) 'Beauty & Careful Representation: Interpreting the Social and the Cosmic' In: Horvath, A & Cuffe, J (eds). Reclaiming Beauty: Collected Essays in Political Anthropology. Florence, Italy: Ficino Press. [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Modern Sino-Irish Relations' James Cuffe (2010) 'Modern Sino-Irish Relations' In: Ireland's China Relations. Amsterdam: Rosenburg. [Details] | |
| (2011) | '中爱关系' James Cuffe (2011) '中爱关系' In: 中爱关系：跨文化视角. Beijing 北京, China: 世界知识出版社. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | 'The 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language and the Irish Speaking Communities: An Ethnographic Investigation' Rodriguez, Pilar; Cuffe, James (2017) 'The 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language and the Irish Speaking Communities: An Ethnographic Investigation'. ABEI Journal: The Brazilian Journal of Irish Studies, 19 (1):123-130 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Emerging Adivasi and Indigenous Studies in Ireland' Lidia Guzy/ James Cuffe (2015) 'Emerging Adivasi and Indigenous Studies in Ireland'. Irish Journal of Anthropology, VOLUME 18(2) (Special Issue):4-5 [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'The Politics of Imaging Asia – A Review’' Cuffe, James (2013) 'The Politics of Imaging Asia – A Review’'. Journal of Chinese Political Science, 18 (1):97-98 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | '史噬史之未竟事' James Cuffe (2013) '史噬史之未竟事'. Fudan Journal of the Humanities an Social Sciences, 6 (3):153-162 [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'An Unfolding Story of Histories Devouring Histories' Cuffe, James B. (2013) 'An Unfolding Story of Histories Devouring Histories'. Fudan Journal of the Humanities an Social Sciences, 6 (3) [Details] | |
| (2011) | 'Politics of Identity among the Chinese Mestizos of Manila' James Cuffe (2011) 'Politics of Identity among the Chinese Mestizos of Manila'. International Political Anthropology, 4 (1) [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Norbert Elias: Post-philosophical Sociology – A Review' James Cuffe (2010) 'Norbert Elias: Post-philosophical Sociology – A Review'. International Political Anthropology, 3 (2) [Details] |
Edited Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Criminology, Crime and Justice in Ireland: An Introduction Windle, J., Lynch, O., Sweeney, K., O’Neill, M., Donson, F., Cuffe, J (Ed.). (2022) Criminology, Crime and Justice in Ireland: An Introduction London: Routledge. [Details] |
Electronic Article
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | Key factors in Human Behaviour for Cyber-Security. Cuffe, James; Phelan, Emily (2020) Key factors in Human Behaviour for Cyber-Security. Dublin: Electronic Article [Details] | |
| (2018) | Turning China Green. James Cuffe (2018) Turning China Green. Dublin: Electronic Article [Details] |
Newspaper Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | Alexa, play Daniel O'Donnell: the rise of the all-hearing Alexa. Phelan, Emily; Cuffe, James (2020) Alexa, play Daniel O'Donnell: the rise of the all-hearing Alexa. Dublin: Newspaper Articles [Details] | |
| (2020) | The jacks are back: why it's time for more public loos. Cuffe, James; Maher, Iris (2020) The jacks are back: why it's time for more public loos. Dublin: Newspaper Articles [Details] | |
| (2019) | The whole hog: how to celebrate the Chinese New Year. James Cuffe (2019) The whole hog: how to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Newspaper Articles [Details] | |
| (2019) | Just what is the Momo challenge?. James Cuffe (2019) Just what is the Momo challenge?. Newspaper Articles [Details] | |
| (2018) | Is your social credit positive or negative?. James Cuffe (2018) Is your social credit positive or negative?. Newspaper Articles [Details] |
Magazine article
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | So you think you know about Cyber Crime. James Cuffe, Orla Lynch (2018) So you think you know about Cyber Crime. Dublin: Magazine article [Details] |
Invited Seminars
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Still this promise of technology. Cuffe, James (2022) Still this promise of technology. Manchester University: Invited Seminars [Details] |
Book Reviews
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2015) | ‘The Eagle and the Dragon’ by Serge Gruzinski. James Cuffe (2015) ‘The Eagle and the Dragon’ by Serge Gruzinski. London: Book Reviews [Details] | |
| (2014) | ‘The Concept of the World from Kant to Derrida' by Sean Gaston. James Cuffe (2014) ‘The Concept of the World from Kant to Derrida' by Sean Gaston. London: Book Reviews [Details] | |
| (2013) | ‘The Handbook of Sociocultural Anthropology' by James G. Carrier & Deborah B. Gewertz. James Cuffe (2013) ‘The Handbook of Sociocultural Anthropology' by James G. Carrier & Deborah B. Gewertz. London: Book Reviews [Details] | |
| (2012) | ‘Economic Anthropology: History, Ethnography, Critique’ by Hart & Hann. James Cuffe (2012) ‘Economic Anthropology: History, Ethnography, Critique’ by Hart & Hann. Book Reviews [Details] | |
| (2012) | ‘China: The Pessoptimist Nation’ by William A. Callahan. James Cuffe (2012) ‘China: The Pessoptimist Nation’ by William A. Callahan. London: Book Reviews [Details] | |
| (2012) | ‘The Network Society’ by Jan Van Djik. James Cuffe (2012) ‘The Network Society’ by Jan Van Djik. London: Book Reviews [Details] |
Installation in a Gallery
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2010) | Tir nÓg. James Cuffe, Feng Jing, Olga Minaeva, Ciarán Griffin, Aoife Corcoran, (2010) Tir nÓg. Shanghai World Expo: Installation in a Gallery [Details] |
Discussion
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | Key factors in Human Behaviour for Cyber-Security. Cuffe, James (2020) Key factors in Human Behaviour for Cyber-Security. online: Discussion [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Teaching Hero | National Centre for Teaching & Learning | |
| 2021 | Nomination - President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning | University College Cork | |
| 2020 | nominated for Excellence in Teaching and Learning | University College Cork |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Logitech Cybersecurity, Cuffe, James (2022) Human Factors for Risk in Cybersecurity. [Keynote Speaker], Logitech Cybersecurity, Global , 07-NOV-22 - 10-NOV-22. [Details] | |
| (2022) | Shared Space and the Common Good, James Cuffe (2022) Crafting the Smart City. [Plenary Lecture], Shared Space and the Common Good, Belfast , 26-JUL-22 - 29-JUL-22. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Good Life’ and Development, James Cuffe (2020) Ascendant China and reimagining The Good Life on the world stage. [Oral Presentation], Good Life’ and Development, Denmark , 27-MAR-20 - 28-MAR-20. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Media Manipulation: Ideologies of Influence & Political Economies of intervention, James Cuffe (2018) Media Manipulation. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Media Manipulation: Ideologies of Influence & Political Economies of intervention, Cambridge , 29-JUN-18 - 29-JUN-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | All Things Considered, Cuffe, James (2018) Objects in Chains: commodifying dissent. [Oral Presentation], All Things Considered, UCC, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2018) | (dis)covering Discourses : Transdisciplinary Conference on Discourse Analysis, James Cuffe (2018) Mediative Technology in China. [Oral Presentation], (dis)covering Discourses : Transdisciplinary Conference on Discourse Analysis, University College Cork , 18-MAY-18 - 19-MAY-18. [Details] | |
| (2017) | Society for the Academic Study of Religions, James Cuffe (2017) Nuo & the will to meaning amongst the ethnographers of the Tujia in China. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Society for the Academic Study of Religions, Waterford . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Anthropological Association of Ireland Annual Conference, James Cuffe (2015) Same Party – Different Day: Politics of Change and Permanence in China. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Anthropological Association of Ireland Annual Conference, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2013) | European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, James Cuffe (2013) What is Science?. [Keynote Speaker], European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Krakow, Poland . [Details] | |
| (2012) | IPA Annual Beauty Workshop, James Cuffe (2012) The Need for Weeding: Ethnographic Accounts of Gardening. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], IPA Annual Beauty Workshop, Cambridge . [Details] | |
| (2011) | Social Pathologies of Contemporary Civilisation International Conference, James Cuffe (2011) Pathologies of Language in Contemporary China. [Oral Presentation], Social Pathologies of Contemporary Civilisation International Conference, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2011) | British Annual China Studies Conference, James Cuffe (2011) Storytelling, Technology & Representation in Contemporary China. [Oral Presentation], British Annual China Studies Conference, Edinburgh . [Details] | |
| (2009) | Sino-Irish Relations: Multi-Disciplinary Conference, James Cuffe (2009) Cultural Perspective of Sino-Irish relations. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Sino-Irish Relations: Multi-Disciplinary Conference, Beijing . [Details] |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Association of Social Anthropologists | Member | 01-JAN-18 / | |
| Anthropological Association of Ireland | Executive Board Member | 30-JAN-14 / | |
| Royal Anthropological Institute | Fellow | 01-JAN-18 / |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UCC | PG Certificate in Teaching & Learning | Teaching & Learning | |
| 2015 | University College Cork | PhD | Anthropology / China Studies | |
| 2008 | University College Cork | Higher Diploma | China Studies | |
| 2007 | University College Cork | MBS | Government | |
| 2002 | Dublin Business School | MA | Anthropology | |
| 1999 | Dublin Business School | BA | Anthropology |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Strategy Working Group | member | 2022 / | |
| Academic Council Sub Committee Graduate Studies | member | 2022 / | |
| Internationalisation | member | 2020 / |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| German | Basic | Basic | Basic | |
| Chinese | Functional | Functional | Functional |
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Journal Of Anthropology | Editor | 01-AUG-14 - 01-JAN-19 |
Consultancy
| Client | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| RPS Ireland | ||
| Newscriber DNA |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Board Member Southill Outreach |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
2022/2023 –
Sem 2/3: IRC Laureate, AY6002 (shared) AY6004. AY6005 (shared) AY6010 (shared) Sem 1: IRC Laureate from Sept ’22, AY6001 (shared)
2021/2022 – Sem 2/3: Sabbatical (From Jan, 6 months)
Sem 1: CR3001, AY6001 (shared), CR1001 (shared), AY2002 (50%) 2020/2021 –
Sem 2/3: AY6004, CR2025, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (shared), CR3002 (shared)
2019/2020 –
Sem 2/3: CR2025, CR6020, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (shared), CR3002 (shared) Sem 1: CR1001, CR3001, AY6001 (shared)
Sem 1: CR1001, CR3001, AY6001 (coordinator, shared),
2018/2019 –
Sem 2/3: CR2025, CR6020, AY6002 (shared), AY6003 (shared), AY6005 (shared), AY6010 (shared), AY6012 (shared), CR6010 (Shared), CR3002 (shared)
Sem 1: CR3009, CR1001, AY6001 (shared), CR3001, CR6014 (shared)
Recent Postgraduates
| Graduation Year | Student Name | Institution | Degree Type | Thesis Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Pilar Luz Rodrigues | Waterford Institute of Technology | Master of Social Science | ‘A Contemporary Perspective on Language Promotion Policy: National Identity and Usage of Irish Language in Ireland’ |
Current Postgraduate Students
| Student | Degree Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Ahern Jennifer Rita | Doctoral Degree |
Research Information
External Collaborators
| Name | Organisation / Institute | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jill O'Mahony | Waterford Institute of Technology | IRELAND | |
| Grace Flannery | Sacred Heart University | U.S.A. | |
| Dr. Fiona Murphy | Dublin City University | IRELAND |
Contact details
- James Cuffe
Lecturer in Anthropology - jamescuffe@ucc.ie
- Askive
O'Donovans Road
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland - 021 490 3567