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Sociology Research

 

Phakin is a PhD candidate in Sociology at St. John's College, the University of Cambridge, supported by the Cambridge-Thai Foundation scholarship in partnership with the Cambridge Trust. In 2026-2027, he is also a research fellow at the Institute for Digital Cooperative Economy (ICDE) at The New School, New York.

His doctoral research examines the intersection of leftist politics and the blockchain technology. Building upon the sociology of technology and digitally mediated activism, his research explores how the collective identity and participatory practices of "Crypto Leftists" reconfigure the dominant logic of blockchain affordances.

Phakin holds a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, both from Thammasat University, Thailand. Before joining Cambridge, Phakin held a teaching position in Social Science/Social Studies at Kamnoetvidya Science Academy (KVIS), Thailand. He remains affiliated with KVIS and is currently on educational leave to pursue his PhD.

Research Interests

digital sociology; sociology of technology; digital activism; affordances; blockchain and cryptocurrency; left politics

Teaching

SOC7: Media, Culture, and Society (Supervision)

Publications

Book Chapters

“Affordances” in Imagining the Internet(s): A Collaborative Glossary. Anya Shchetvina and Nathalie Fridzema, eds. Institute of Network Cultures. [Under Review]

Grants and Projects

Institute for Digital Cooperative Economy (ICDE) Fellowship, The New School, New York, USA (2026-2027)
TRF Master Research Grants (TRF-MAG), Thailand Research Fund, Thailand (2014-2016)

PhD Supervisor

Dr. Ella McPherson

Awards

Cambridge-Thai Foundation Scholarship - Cambridge Trust (2024-2027)
Excellent Dissertation in Social Sciences, Thammasat University, Thailand (2015)
Excellent Dissertation, Faculty of Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand (2015)

Job Title:
Crypto Leftists: Collective Identity and Blockchain Activism, Supervisor: Dr Ella McPherson
Phakin Nimmannorrawong
Contact Information: