INS Research Seminars: Fostering Community and Collaboration

Recently, the Department of International Studies’ research seminar titled “New Dynamics in China-EU Relations” was given by Prof. Jörn-Carsten Gottwald, the Chair of East Asian Politics at Ruhr University Bochum (Germany). The event was held at the X-bar (south campus) of XJTLU, as the International Studies Department’s first seminar of this semester.

Seminar gave by Prof. Jörn-Carsten Gottwald

The Speaker was impressed by the high level of the discussion, particularly from the students in attendance. “I received many good questions and comments that will help me develop the project and which will give my analysis more nuanced, particularly considering the Chinese perspective on the development of EU-China relations.” said Prof. Gottwald.

This seminar is the first of this semester, but also the fifth of this academic year held by the Department of International Studies (INS). The seminar series covers various topiccs, ranging from the continued financial dominance of France on many currencies in Africa, to the war in Ukraine, to AI and local public policy. The seminars invite outstanding international scholars to XJTLU, providing them with the opportunity to hear from and network with external experts and inspire them with advanced research methods.

Dr. Andrej Krickovic, the main coordinator of the INS seminar series, joined HSS as an associate professor in the fall of 2023. He received his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley (2012) and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University (2013-14). Before coming to XJTLU he was a tenured professor at HSE University in Moscow from 2013-2023. His research interests are in International Relations Theory and International Security, with an empirical focus on Russian and Chinese foreign policy.

Dr Andrej Krickovic

Commenting on this semester’s seminar series, Dr. Krickovic said: "Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to develop a rich research network. In addition to staff members from XJTLU, I plan to invite internationally renowned scholars from leading universities, including the University of Kent, the University of California, Berkeley, and Shanghai International Studies University. I hope these experiences can broaden our student’s perspectives and lead to future educational exchanges and collaborative research between our universities."

“In the growing department, the series of seminars can let everyone know what other staff members are doing and foster a sense of community, promote communication, and offer the possibility of collaboration and research.”

The Department of International Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University was established in 2018. Situated in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, it aims to be a leading provider of international studies education and research. The department teaches BA and MA modules in International Relations, and an MA in International Business and Global Affairs. It welcomes students from all over the world. Please read further about the department’s research, teaching, and programmes by visiting https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/zh/study/departments/academic-departments/international-studies.

(By Zihan Xu, Edited by Yiyi Gu)