I am originally from Toronto, and I received both my M.A. (2001) and my Ph.D. (2005) from The University of British Columbia, in Vancouver. I have lived, worked, and studied in Japan on several occasions since 1995, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Aichi, and Tokyo. Further details below...

Teaching Interests

I teach the History of Japan since the 16th century, the History of China since Late Imperial times, Introduction to Asia, and World History since antiquity. I focus heavily on the development of students' writing skills, and I am a co-author of the Nelson Guide to Writing in History, 2009.

Research Interests

My research focuses on Japan's major industrial, commercial, and societal transformations since the 1870s. I am the author of 'Japan's Motorcycle Wars: An Industry History' (University of British Columbia Press & University of Hawai'i Press, 2008). I explore Japanese source material to illustrate such themes as how state investment in industry both before and during the Second World War laid the foundations for Japan's rapid postwar success in consumer product manufacturing, and how that process impacted Japanese society. My current book, entitled 'Brewed in Japan: The Evolution of the Japanese Beer Industry,' is now in production with the University of British Columbia Press. Since 2007, I have been invited to speak about my research at Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of British Columbia, and the International House of Japan in Tokyo.

Consulting Interests

2013: "Japan's Hiropon Panic: Resident Non-Japanese and the 1950s Meth Crisis", International Journal of Drug Policy

: IN PRESS. Brewed in Japan: The Evolution of the Japanese Beer Industry, University of British Columbia Press (245 pp.)

2011: "Mind the Gap: Japanese Corporate Web Sites and the Missing War Years" in, Japan in the Age of Globalization (35 pp.)

2009: Nelson Guide to Writing in History, Nelson Higher Education (85 pp.)

2009: "Social Capital in Japan's Post-Bubble Economy", The Journal of Asian Studies (Vol. 68, No. 2, 577-582 pp.)

2008: Japan's Motorcycle Wars: An Industry History, Co-published by The University of British Columbia Press and The University of Hawai'i Press, 2008. (276 pp.)

Teaching Awards

2013: Stella Gray Teaching Excellence Award -- Nomination, UW-Parkside

University Service

: Chairperson - Faculty Senate

: Program Coordinator - Asian Studies Minor/Certificate Program

: Committee Member - University Committee

2013: Chairperson - HLC Reaccreditation Self-Study, Group 2

Fall 2013

HIST 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

INTS 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

HIST 387 JAPAN IN THE LATE SAMURAI AGE

HIST 250 SOURCES & METHODS IN HIST

Summer 2013

HIST 490 SPECIAL TOPICS

Spring 2013

HIST 386 CHINA SINCE WORLD WAR TWO

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

INTS 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

INTS 495 SENIOR SEMINAR

Fall 2012

HIST 385 CHINA-THE OPIUM WARS TO WWII

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 494 INTERNSHIP IN HISTORY

HIST 250 SOURCES & METHODS IN HIST

Spring 2012

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

INTS 103 INTRODUCTION TO ASIA

HIST 250 SOURCES & METHODS IN HIST

Fall 2011

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

INTS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 387 JAPAN IN THE LATE SAMURAI AGE

HIST 250 SOURCES & METHODS IN HIST

Summer 2011

HIST 290 SPECIAL TOPICS

HIST 490 SPECIAL TOPICS

Spring 2011

HIST 386 CHINA SINCE WORLD WAR TWO

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

INTS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

BUS 490 SPECIAL TOPICS

HIST 490 SPECIAL TOPICS

MBA 790 SPECIAL TOPICS

HIST 126 WORLD HISTORY ANTIQUITY-1450

Fall 2010

HIST 385 CHINA-THE OPIUM WARS TO WWII

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

INTS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 250 SOURCES & METHODS IN HIST

HIST 127 WORLD HISTORY 1450 TO 1800

Summer 2010

HIST 128 WORLD HISTORY 1800 - PRESENT

Spring 2010

HIST 383 EARLY CHINA 2200 BCE-618 CE

HIST 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

INTS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

HIST 388 JAPAN SINCE THE SAMURAI AGE

HIST 126 WORLD HISTORY ANTIQUITY-1450