Yoko Kobayashi is a Deaf Japanese researcher and lecturer at the Tsukuba University of Technology (NTUT), where she serves in the Research and Support Center on Higher Education for the Hearing and Visually Impaired. She holds a PhD in Human Care Science from the University of Tsukuba and a Master’s in Public Health from California State University, Northridge. Kobayashi’s research spans Deaf studies, second-language education, gender studies, health communication, and accessibility for people with deafness.
Early Life and Education
Kobayashi earned her PhD in Human Care Science from the University of Tsukuba (2015), with a dissertation titled A comprehensive study toward establishing supportive systems to realize improved accessibility for hearing-impaired persons in Japan [Doctor of Philosophy in Human Care Science] [1][4]. She also received a Master’s degree in Public Health from California State University, Northridge (2007)[1][2].
Career
Kobayashi started her career as a development researcher at Yakult Central Research Institute, transitioning later into academia. From 2008 to 2011, she served as lecturer and research assistant in the Department of Deaf Studies at California State University, Northridge [2]. She then joined the Tsukuba University of Technology Research and Support Center on Higher Education for the Hearing and Visually Impaired, holding positions as technical assistant (2012–2014), assistant professor (2014–2018), and lecturer since January 2019[1][2].
Research and Academic Interests
Her research covers Deaf studies, communication, second-language education, sign language, gender and empowerment, health communication, health literacy, and social studies[1].
Kobayashi has led numerous projects, including but not limited to: Deaf Women’s Life Structures (2017–2020), development of sign-language–based teaching materials, evaluating “easy Japanese” in medical contexts for the D/deaf and visually impaired (2022–2025), accessibility in healthcare and welfare (2014–2015), and integration of healthcare services through regional inclusive care (2012–2014)[1].
Advocacy and Service
She has served as a member of the World Federation of the Deaf Expert Group on Deaf Education since 2017 and has long contributed to the Duskin Aid Foundation’s overseas training program for disabled leaders since 2015[1][2]. She also holds positions in various associations related to deaf education and public health[1].
Impact
Yoko Kobayashi is a leading figure in Deaf Studies, integrating public health, gender, and accessibility-focused research. Her work balances academic theory with community-informed activism—particularly through her efforts in documenting and empowering Deaf women in Japan.
- Researcher profile and professional history (2025). J-GLOBAL / Tsukuba University of Technology (Researcher ID: 201701014080682958). Yoko Kobayashi.
- Profile, publications, academic outputs. Yoko Kobayashi (2020–2024). Kobayashi Lab, Tsukuba University of Technology.
- Kobayashi, Y., & Osugi, Y. (2020). Deaf women’s participation, movements, and rights: Learning from the experiences of deaf women in Japan. Deaf Studies Digital Journal, 5.
- obayashi, Y. (2015). わが国の聴覚障害者におけるアクセシビリティ向上実現のための支援制度構築に向けた包括的研究 [A comprehensive study toward establishing supportive systems to realize improved accessibility for hearing-impaired persons in Japan] (Doctoral dissertation, University of Tsukuba)
