The Taiwan Research Hub presents a talk
Performing Virtuality: Political Economy and Cultural Production of Virtual Influencer (VTuber)
With Dr Weixiang (Wilson) Wang, School of international Studies, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Thursday 12 February 2026
Lunch 13-13.30pm, Talk 13.30-3pm
Room D13 Monica Partridge, University Park
In person Event only Register at https://forms.office.com/e/2W8cU8bMsx
Talk abstract
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has fostered a niche form of online celebrity: the “virtual influencer”. The term is placed in quotation marks because what counts as “virtual” remains contested. In broad terms, virtual influencers refer to mediated personas that might be driven by algorithms, performed by human operators, or assembled through hybrid arrangements. Across advertising, marketing, and social media entertainment industry, virtual influencers are playing an increasingly prominent role, as well as increasingly consequential for how us to understand digital labour and cultural value are organised.
This talk focuses on a specific genre: virtual YouTubers (VTubers), who appear as animated avatars while being performed by a person behind the scenes. Originating in Japan and intertwined with a range of (digital) subcultures, including (underground) idol cultures, livestreaming, influencer economies, and anime, VTuber has developed into a transnational cultural and creative industry sprawling across East Asia and beyond. Following the fault lines of (in)authenticity, performativity, gender, and (in)humanness, the talk examines the “supply chain” of VTuber content production and the power relations embedded in its subcultural communities/fandoms. It also critically considers the evolving relationship between cultural workers in this industry and increasingly powerful generative AI technologies, asking what these tools enable, what they displace, and how they reshape creative labour and parasocial relationships.
As an almuni who received both his MA and PhD degree from UNUK and now takes a new role in the sister institution UNNC, Weixiang will also briefly share his own academic journey and experience as an early career researcher across both British and Chinese academia.
About the Speaker
Weixiang (Wilson) Wang got his PhD degree in Politics from the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, UK. His PhD thesis examines the propagation of cyber nationalism by Chinese online key opinion leaders. His research focuses on China, nationalism, political communication and the politics of digital (sub)cultures. He has published on wanghong (influencer) and “wolf warrior” diplomacy. His current research interest is diverse forms of user engagement with generative AI technologies and the broader social and political implications of AI-generated content.
Chaired by Dr Chun-yi Lee, Taiwan Research Hub