Shuang Qiu
PhD student

Profile

Biography

PhD in Centre for Women’s Studies (ongoing), University of York

MA in Media and Public Relations, Newcastle University

Research

Overview

My research focuses on the ‘Living Apart Together’ (LAT) relationships in China. People who live separately from their partner due to external circumstances and/or personal reasons challenge the assumption that intimacy means physical proximity. Since this phenomenon has not yet been systematically researched in China, using semi-structured interviews, this original research aims to reveal the motivations for couples living separately, and the meaning behind LAT relationships to Chinese women, and how these work in the context of the ideology of Confucianism which stresses collectivism and family hierarchy. I also ask, in a broad sense, what is the impact of social change on personal and familial relationships.

If you are interested in my research topics, please do email me and I would love to exchange my ideas and thoughts with you.

Publications

Selected publications

Conference papers

Qiu, S. (July 2017) ‘Living separately while married: I am a study mother’. Romantic relationships in a time of ‘cold intimacies’, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK.

Qiu, S. (April 2017) ‘Chinese couples living apart together’. BSA Annual Conference-Recovering the Social: Personal Troubles and Public Issues, University of Manchester, UK.

Other publications

Qiu, S. (March 2017) ‘Reflections on researching Chinese couples living apart together and ‘doing’ intimacy.’ Discover Society. Available at: https://discoversociety.org/2017/03/01/reflections-on-researching-chinese-couples-living-apart-together-and-doing-intimacy/