On 27th February, 2025, Dr Joel Littler, a PhD graduate from University of Oxford and currently a researcher on a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University, joined the SPD419 course on research for social development, led by Dr Pred Evans, to share his work on early social activism in Japan with connections to Thailand. He provided students with fascinating insights into the role of ‘naniwabushi’ as a mode of popular dissent in transwar Japan (1902-1909), and shared tips with students on what makes for a good research proposal.