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 Effects of Technology,
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

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. [ Publisher's Version] [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. [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2018) Turning China Green.
James Cuffe (2018) Turning China Green. Dublin: Electronic Article [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2019) Just what is the Momo challenge?.
James Cuffe (2019) Just what is the Momo challenge?. Newspaper Articles [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2018) Is your social credit positive or negative?.
James Cuffe (2018) Is your social credit positive or negative?. Newspaper Articles [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2012) ‘Economic Anthropology: History, Ethnography, Critique’ by Hart & Hann.
James Cuffe (2012) ‘Economic Anthropology: History, Ethnography, Critique’ by Hart & Hann. Book Reviews [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2012) ‘China: The Pessoptimist Nation’ by William A. Callahan.
James Cuffe (2012) ‘China: The Pessoptimist Nation’ by William A. Callahan. London: Book Reviews [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2012) ‘The Network Society’ by Jan Van Djik.
James Cuffe (2012) ‘The Network Society’ by Jan Van Djik. London: Book Reviews [ Publisher's Version] [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]

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
Social Intergration for Immigrants in Ireland
Newscriber DNA
Mediative Technologies in Education

Outreach Activities

  Description

Board Member Southill Outreach

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

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