In a rich exchange of ideas that traverses the expansive terrains of academic pursuits and personal inclinations, Nazua and Hiranya unravel the narratives that have shaped their academic choices and current research interests. This conversation is a deep dive into how personal backgrounds, societal expectations, and serendipitous classroom experiences have significantly influenced their academic trajectories.
Their conversation extends into how their identities and backgrounds shape their research. Hiranya discusses the dual influence of growing up in a scholarly environment and his early bilingualism, which embedded a comparative approach in his literary studies. This comparative lens led him to Game Studies, where he explores the narrative potential of video games as legitimate scholarly texts. Both scholars discuss the inherent challenges in Digital Humanities regarding accessibility and inclusion. They emphasize the need for a collaborative academic culture that supports sharing resources and knowledge beyond conventional academic settings.
Challenging Canons and Traversing the Frontiers of Digital Literatures
Nazua Idris: “I pivoted to English Literature because I always had a penchant for reading fiction and exploring narratives. It felt like a natural fit.”
Hiranya Mukherjee: “Game Studies challenge the traditional canon by presenting narratives in a format that’s inherently interactive and engaging, pushing the boundaries of how stories are told and experienced.”
Through their dialogue, Nazua and Hiranya share their academic and personal journeys and illustrate the dynamic interplay between individual experiences and scholarly endeavors. This conversation is a testament to the evolving nature of literary studies and the continuous challenge to traditional academic norms.