China's rising influence on the global stage is increasingly evident in its strategic use of science diplomacy, particularly in the areas of education and scientific knowledge production. This panel seeks to explore and critically assess China's structural power in science and education as a means of exerting soft power globally. The goal is to establish a collaborative research agenda focusing on China's multifaceted role in shaping global knowledge and education systems, as well as its corresponding reactions from and interactions with other countries
The panel invites contributions that examine various aspects of China's science diplomacy, including its involvement in international education, scientific knowledge transfer, investments in educational infrastructure, language promotion programs, and the mobility of students and academics. We are particularly interested in research that addresses China and its counterpart countries' efforts to expand its influence by producing scientific publications and creating global knowledge networks. How do these efforts reflect and reinforce China's geopolitical goals? What are the implications for the global balance of power in education and science? How do China’s scientific knowledge transfer and educational collaborations with developed and developing countries affect its broader diplomatic relations? How do intermediaries of China’s science diplomacy – universities, research centers, ministries, etc. – balance security concerns and cooperative motives? How do other countries respond to China’s science diplomacy?
We welcome abstracts that employ diverse methodological approaches—qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods—and focus on regional or global perspectives. We aim to foster a rich interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges different theoretical frameworks, methodological practices, and geographic contexts.
This panel is positioned within the broader context of current debates on China's growing influence in global affairs. It seeks to contribute to ongoing research in the subfields of educational policy, the internationalization of education, knowledge networks, and area studies. By bringing together scholars from various disciplines, this panel will enhance our understanding of the complexities of Chinese science diplomacy and its implications for global governance.