Kirk R. Patterson is conducting research for a book on Japan’s cultural and historical relationship with the sea. More specifically, he is exploring why Japan, despite being an island nation and with 90% of its population living with 100 km of the ocean, is not a maritime culture (unlike England, which used the ocean to pursue wealth, power, and influence). As part of his research, he is conducting extensive field work while doing a three-year solo circumnavigation of the Japanese archipelago. He has lived and worked in Japan for over 25 years, with his last position being Dean of Temple University, Japan Campus (2001-2007). A dual Canadian-American citizen, he has a Ph.D. in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA.

He is a former Dean of Temple University, Japan Campus.