A Month in Fudan: Research, Exchange and Geopolitical Insight in Shanghai

Time, focus and autonomy in an academic setting

The Fudan Fellowship Programme is particularly valuable for scholars seeking both time and space to pursue focused academic work. During my time in Shanghai, I was able to significantly advance my research agenda. The programme’s flexibility was a major strength: aside from two main requirements—a presentation on the research conducted during the stay, and a review of a scholarly article—the rest of the time was mine to manage. I used it to work extensively on a book I am writing on geopolitical blocs, in addition to completing two academic papers and grant applications. This kind of autonomy is rare and precious in academia.

This programme is especially beneficial for those who already have academic contacts in China and are looking to deepen those relationships. However, even for those with no prior connections, the fellowship offers an entry point into Chinese academia, though it may require more effort to build initial relationships. Despite possible feelings of isolation, the experience is still immensely enriching and provides an excellent foundation for future collaborations.

Engaging with Chinese academia and culture

I maintained a regular presence at my office on the Fudan campus and had the chance to engage with a broad range of scholars, both from Fudan and from across the Global South, as Fudan has formal agreements in place with Latin American and African universities. In the context of China, in-person networking is particularly crucial. Due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, cold emailing academics with whom you have no personal connection is often ineffective. However, when visiting in person, Chinese colleagues tend to be extremely hospitable and eager to engage in academic dialogue. The Fudan campus also offered access to a wider intellectual community, enabling me to attend various events hosted by other institutes. Two particularly memorable events featured a lecture by former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, and a lecture from Robert Zoellick, the former US Trade Representative who notoriously spelled out the phrase that China needed to be a “responsible stakeholder” in 2006.

Spending time abroad on a research fellowship also brings other benefits that are perhaps less obvious but equally important. Leaving London—and the everyday routines of home—required a period of logistical preparation, but once settled, I found that the distance provided clarity and focus. Freed from the usual distractions of meetings, domestic obligations, and local professional networks, I was able to concentrate deeply on my academic work. The change in environment acted as a reset, providing both mental space and creative stimulus.

Shanghai itself, as one of the most dynamic metropolises in the world, added an additional layer of opportunity. Beyond Fudan, I was able to connect with colleagues at other institutions such as New York University Shanghai. The city’s international character fosters a range of academic encounters that enrich both research and perspective.

Geopolitics in practice: The Yiwu visit

One of the highlights of the fellowship was an organized visit with the FDDI to the Yiwu Small Commodity Market. Known as the “supermarket of the world,” Yiwu is home to over 75,000 showrooms featuring every imaginable consumer good—from tools and teapots to toys, textiles, and household items. If you've ever purchased a small item stamped “Made in China,” there’s a good chance it originated here. Of particular interest were the showrooms of electric vehicles (EVs), which have become increasingly competitive globally thanks to their high quality, appealing design, and low cost. So significant is their rise that the European Union recently introduced tariffs of up to 30% on Chinese EV imports to address market imbalances.

Yiwu also holds symbolic geopolitical importance. It marks the starting point of the Yiwu-Madrid rail line, which traverses China, Central Asia, Russia, Germany, and several other European countries before ending in Spain. This railway is often cited as a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, representing both economic integration and China’s growing infrastructural influence across Eurasia.

Lived experience and lasting impressions

Spending a full month in Shanghai allowed me to consolidate my understanding of China in a way that short trips simply do not permit. Extended time in one place makes a significant difference—not only for research, but for cultural immersion and genuine exchange. Engaging with Chinese scholars and everyday citizens alike, I gained fresh and sometimes surprising insights into Chinese society. One striking observation was the deeply ingrained traditionalism and conservatism that still characterise much of social and political life—elements I was intellectually aware of, but which became far more tangible and nuanced through lived experience. These societal traits have profound geopolitical consequences, particularly in the context of U.S.–China relations, where attempts at influence and ideological competition have a long and often ineffective history.

In conclusion, the Fudan Fellowship was more than just an academic engagement—it was a transformative experience that broadened my research, enriched my worldview, and strengthened my professional networks. For scholars considering how best to spend a sabbatical, I cannot recommend highly enough the value of spending time abroad—not just to escape familiar surroundings, but to immerse oneself in new perspectives that challenge, inform, and ultimately enhance our understanding of the world.