Wen “Alvin” Wang, M.A.

Alvin Wen Wang is a PhD candidate and lecturer at the Standards of Decision-Making Across Cultures (SDAC) program at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. His research explores male sex work in contemporary China, focusing on how individuals navigate stigma, family expectations, and personal identity. Through this work, he seeks to contribute to discussions on masculinity, morality, intimacy and subtle power dynamics in Chinese society.

Before academia, Alvin spent nearly a decade working across industries in Shanghai, an experience that shaped his perspective on human interactions and social structures. His research is driven by a commitment to capturing lived realities—foregrounding voices often overlooked and grounding scholarship in human connection. Rather than theorizing from a distance, he seeks to convey the breath of everyday life, exploring its tensions, contradictions, and quiet negotiations.

He holds an MA in Gender, Media & Culture from Goldsmiths, University of London, where he graduated with distinction.

Research Interests

Sexuality, masculinity, sex work in contemporary China, affect, the body, queer studies and power dynamics.

Work Experiences

Teaching Experiences