On October 31, 2024, the Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) organized the 61st lecture of the Fudan-LSE Lecture Series. Professor Richard Freeman from Harvard University delivered a lecture on the theme of Creating and Connecting US and China Science: Chinese Diaspora and Returnee Researchers, which was chaired by Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP. Commentors included Professor Li Tang from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs and Assistant Professor Meijun Liu from IGPP.

Professor Freeman analyzed the current state of Sino-American scientific collaboration, emphasizing the role of overseas Chinese scholars and returning researchers as bridges in fostering collaboration and enhancing research quality between the two countries. He noted that collaborative demonstrated remarkable citation rates and impact, reflecting the establishment of a close scientific network between two countries driven by Chinese scholars.

Furthermore, Professor Freeman highlighted the significant influence of overseas Chinese scholars and returning researchers on the scientific output. He noted that these groups have a significantly higher publication rate in high-impact academic journals, such as Nature and Science. He also addressed the potential challenges of future Sino-American scientific collaboration, as the increasingly complex geopolitical environment may introduce new uncertainties. He urged the academic community to adopt an open and inclusive approach to continue fostering international collaboration.

Professor Tang highly praised Professor Freeman’s groundbreaking quantitative approach to measuring collaboration. She also pointed out that conventional methods often underestimate the actual contributions of overseas Chinese scholars and returning researchers. Assistant Professor Liu also suggested further exploration of the specific roles of authors in collaborative publications to gain a more comprehensive understanding of collaborative patterns.

On behalf of the IGPP, Professor Jing presented a gift to Professor Freeman, and the lecture concluded successfully with a group photo.