Here are a few unusual academic niches with explanations from professors of how they became interested in their subjects and why they are important.

D Map Rotofugi has an unusual niche: urban designer toys.

In this patriarchal society she had carved an unusual niche for herself.

"It's just a very unusual niche," he said.

If all that sounds confusing, consider a small unusual niche in the residential real estate market - the co-op hotel.

This is the unusual niche that Ms. Brennan has held since 1998.

Here are a few unusual academic niches with explanations from professors of how they arrived at their specialties.

Inflight publishing is an unusual niche in the magazine world.

Now, she holds an unusual but respected niche in conducting, a field that hardly welcomes women.