On December 7, 2024, the 1st Biennial Conference of the Youth Forum for Area Studies was convened at the Main Building of Tsinghua University. Hosted by the Institute for International and Area Studies (IIAS) at Tsinghua University, the event centered on the theme “Area Studies Through a Transregional Lens.”Peng Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University, attended and delivered speech. Jiang Jingkui, Director of IIAS, attended the opening ceremony. Zhang Jing, Deputy Director of IIAS, delivered the welcome address, and Zhou Qing’an, Dean of School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University and Secretary-General of the Youth Forum for Area Studies, spoke on behalf of the Secretariat. More than 60 young scholars from over 30 domestic and international universities and research institutions participated.
Speech by Peng Gang
Peng Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University, emphasized that Area Studies is both theoretical and practical, requiring historical depth and empirical engagement. It is inherently cross-regional and interdisciplinary, closely linked to China’s rise and development as well as the construction of a global community of shared future. As 2024 marks a significant milestone in the growth of Area Studies at Tsinghua, Peng Gang encouraged young scholars to use this opportunity to engage in extensive dialogue and mutual inspiration. He urged scholars to leverage the disciplinary advantages of Area Studies, to forge new concepts, frameworks, and discourse that seamlessly integrate both Chinese and international perspectives, and to work toward building an independent knowledge system in the field. Such endeavors, he noted, will not only serve China’s path to modernization but also contribute to the realization of a global community of shared future.
Speech by Zhang Jing
Zhang Jing, Deputy Director of IIAS, stated that this Biennial Conference covers multiple topics such as fieldwork, national governance, and state-building etc. It breaks the single geographical division and promotes cross regional dialogue among scholars with different regional research backgrounds, which helps to form more universally meaningful academic insights. Recalling the development of Tsinghua’s Ph.D. program in Developing Country Studies, Zhang Jing highlighted that the Youth Forum for Area Studies was conceived partly to build on the experience and achievements of that Ph.D. program initiative. Its aim is to further explore and innovate new models for cultivating talent in Area Studies. The Forum will serve as a nationwide platform for young scholars, promoting inclusive talent development in the field.
Zhang Jing further emphasized the Forum’s commitment to resource sharing and research funding support. Academic resources—such as courses, lectures, and databases established by IIAS—will be open to young scholars associated with the Forum. In terms of funding, the Forum plans to launch two major support programs: the “Long-term Field Research Program in Developing Countries” and a “Monograph Publication Program.” Additionally, three categories of research awards—“Outstanding Monograph Award,” “Excellent Paper Award,” and “Excellent Field Research Original Database Award”—will be established. Award winners will have the opportunity to participate in various academic activities hosted by the institute’s overseas field stations. Zhang Jing encouraged young scholars to fully utilize the Forum’s platform, actively engage in fieldwork and learn from others' experience, enhance communication, and embrace innovation. She expressed hope that young scholars will achieve breakthroughs in Area Studies and grow into a new generation of academic experts and even renowned scholars in the field.
Speech by Zhou Qing’an
Zhou Qing’an, Dean of School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University and Secretary-General of the Youth Forum for Area Studies, highlighted the significance of Area Studies in the context of globalization and underscored the heavy responsibilities that young scholars bear. This Biennial Conference, themed “Area Studies Through a Transregional Lens,” addresses not merely geographic boundaries but also intellectual ones. By adopting an integrative perspective, cross-regional studies help analyze relationships and mutual influences among different regions and assist in understanding and tackling global issues. The discussions at the Conference aim to transcend single-region constraints, foster cross-regional and interdisciplinary research innovations, and uncover new avenues and insights in Area Studies.
Zhou Qing’an emphasized that young scholars serve as the driving force behind academic development. Their innovative spirit and diverse perspectives are especially important in Area Studies. He encouraged participants to utilize the platform to showcase their achievements, expand collaborations, and demonstrate innovation—providing unprecedented answers to some of today’s most pressing questions.
Roundtable Discussions
Following the opening ceremony, the Biennial Conference moved into the academic sessions, which were organized into six parallel panels over two days. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on seven major topics: the conscious practice of field research, nation-building and governance in the Global South, religion, rituals, and culture in developing countries, comparative studies of nation-state formation in the Global South, historical examinations of modernization experiences in developing countries, civil-military relations in developing countries, and cross-border ethnic group research in developing countries.
Special Lecture by Shen Zhihua
On the evening of December 7, Professor Shen Zhihua, Director of the Eurasian Studies Center at IIAS, delivered a special lecture to the members of the Youth Forum. Entitled “Impressions from a U.S. Visit: America and the World after the Election,” the lecture drew from the IIAS Eurasian Center delegation’s November trip to the U.S. During the visit, they engaged with various academic institutions, think tanks, and scholars—both American and Chinese expatriate experts—on topics such as Cold War history, the Korean Peninsula, and Sino-U.S. relations. Coinciding with the recent U.S. election results, these discussions yielded the latest insights and reflections from the U.S. academic community on national policies and future prospects. The lecture offered a nuanced view of how American scholars are reassessing their country’s strategies during a period of political transition.
Group Photo
The Youth Forum for Area Studies, founded in July 2023, was initiated by IIAS at Tsinghua University and jointly developed by young scholars from domestic and international research institutions focusing on Area Studies. Guided by the spirit of critical reflection and questioning, and committed to the pursuit of truth and excellence, the Forum aims to advance innovation and vitality in Area Studies research. The Biennial Conference of the Youth Forum for Area Studies is a key component of this mission. It seeks to strengthen deep, cross-regional, and interdisciplinary academic exchanges among young scholars, explore research methodologies, best practices, and theoretical frameworks, and ultimately foster the production of high-quality academic findings and the collision of scholarly ideas.
