On the morning of December 16, 2024, the Institute for International and Regional Studies at Tsinghua University hosted a lecture titled "Problem Awareness and Research Approaches in Russian and Eurasian Studies: A Perspective of Area Studies." The lecture was delivered by Gu Wei, an associate researcher from the Institute of International Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. It attracted a diverse audience of faculty and students from multiple universities and research institutions, including the Diplomatic Academy, Peking University, Renmin University of China, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Gu Wei began her presentation by examining the current state of Russian and Eurasian studies in China. She provided a comprehensive overview of the development trajectory of research within the context of the newly established first-level discipline of Area Studies in China. Additionally, she shared her in-depth insights into scientific research in this field. Gu Wei conducted a systematic analysis of the characteristics and requirements of traditional disciplines and Area Studies in terms of research approach, methodology, and discipline construction. She also proposed research strategies to address the challenges posed by the development of this emerging discipline.
In the core segment of the lecture, Gu Wei drew upon her recent visit to Russia, presenting a rich array of visual materials. She shared her experiences of uncovering research perspectives through firsthand observations. Concluding her lecture, she offered valuable advice to young scholars regarding academic research and career development, emphasizing the significance of a solid foundation, problem awareness, and effective methodologies.
During the discussion session, the attendees engaged in lively exchanges with the speaker on topics such as "The Intersection of Area Studies with Foreign Language Proficiency," "Strategies for Selecting Dissertation Topics at the Doctoral Level," and "China's Energy Cooperation with Central Asia and Russia." Drawing on her personal experiences, Gu Wei provided detailed and informative responses to these queries
Gu Wei is an associate researcher at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and the executive director of the Eurasian Studies Office. Her primary research focuses include regional cooperation and strategy, Russian diplomacy, and Sino-Russian relations. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Zhou Enlai School of Government at Nankai University and her graduate studies at the School of International Relations at Peking University, earning her LL.B., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, with a specialization in International Politics and International Relations. Additionally, she participated in a joint training program at Moscow State University from 2011 to 2012. She has authored several monographs, including "Dual Structure and Russia's Regional Integration Policy" (2020) and "China-Russia Strategic Collaboration and the Evolution of the Eurasian Regional Order" (2018). In recent years, she has published over 30 academic papers in prestigious journals such as World Economy and Politics, Diplomatic Review, and International Studies.
