Shawn Bender – Trained as a cultural anthropologist, Prof. Bender’s research currently focuses on the intersections among science, technology, and policy in contemporary Japan, particularly the development of robotics technologies for use by the aged and infirm. He has also an abiding interest in Japanese music and performance, and is the author of a forthcoming book on taiko drumming groups in Japan entitled Taiko Boom. He teaches courses in East Asian studies on aspects of contemporary East Asian society and popular culture. Bender received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1992, his M.A.in 1996 and Ph.D. in 2003 from the University of California at San Diego.