1. Please briefly introduce yourself and your academic and professional achievements.

Chen Chaofan, known as Frank, is a BNBU GAD graduate from the 2023 cohort and is currently undertaking an MPhil in Government and Public Administration at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). With his educational experiences at Peking University and Sciences Po, his research interests lie in international relations, Chinese foreign policy, globalization, Chinese politics, and public policy. These experiences served as a precursor to his participation at the 66^th annual convention of the International Studies Association (ISA) held in Chicago, US as his undergraduate studies and experiences lay the foundation for the research papers he has submitted.

2.What were the topics of the two co-authored papers you contributed to the convention, and how did you first hear of this opportunity? What was the process behind writing them both, and who was involved in their publishing?

Interestingly, Frank successfully submitted the first of the two research papers to the ISA and was co-authored with Associate Professor Selçuk Çolakoğlu. The paper, "The G2 or Rival Superpowers: Analyzing the Sino-U.S. Relationship from the Perspective of Global Leadership", was initially conceived during Frank's third year of undergraduate studies (2021-2022) under a pandemic context. With an ever-changing global landscape, Frank and Dr Çolakoğlu revisited the paper between 2024 and 2025 to make it relevant to today's post-pandemic society.

The second of the two research papers was tailored to this year's convention, as the theme was "How to connect research and researchers of International Studies with the general public?". With this brief in mind and the knowledge that each convention participant can submit up to two papers for consideration, Frank co-authored the exploration research paper titled "How can a young researcher connect International Relations research with the public?". This paper was subsequently co-written with Frank's CUHK colleagues, aiming to address how to make International studies more accessible to the public whilst focusing on engagement and impact. After his application to participate in this year's annual convention in Chicago was granted, he was successfully able to secure funding for participating in the convention through his MPhil-PhD program at CUHK's Research Postgraduate Student Grants for Overseas Academic Activities and the School of Governance and Policy Science Research funding for the 2024-2025 academic year. This funding went to the associated costs of attending the convention, making it more accessible by removing the financial barriers that young student academics often face when participating in overseas academic activities.

3. Please briefly describe the International Studies Association (ISA)'s annual convention. How did it feel to be a part of a vibrant community of leading academics within the field of international studies, and were there opportunities for you to network with leading practitioners?

The ISA's annual convention was a four-day conference with many panels. Each panel was categorized into either topic subgroups, i.e. the great power competition, or by large geographical groups, i.e. the Asia-Pacific. With most panels consisting of 5 papers being presented alongside audience members, you were also allocated 15 minutes to present your paper, collect comments, and respond to each comment. Additionally, there were four daily time slots during the convention, with two each morning and a following 2 in the afternoons. Outside of presenting their work(s), attendees were free to explore other panel rooms and network with fellow International Relations scholars in attendance.

While this is the primary purpose of the ISA annual conventions, Frank details the great networking and personal development opportunities he has experienced. With the ISA exhibition consisting of publishers, press, and research institutes' new databases and software, it was an academic paradise. Such resources meant that a researcher, such as Frank, could gain inspiration and new insight into optimizing his methodology and knowledge and even network with press editors for any academic body of work that may be published. In addition to this was the free professional headshots service being offered, which was particularly useful for updating one's LinkedIn profile and professional websites.

4. Was there a contrast between your expectations and the reality of attending the convention as a contributor, and if so, how?

One aspect that certainly surprised Frank was the change in the atmosphere following the daytime panels. The ISA organizing some receptions at night created a relaxing environment conducive to socializing with peers. The social events organized at this time were more informal, allowing attendees to network and casually discuss with leading practitioners or other academic hopefuls. With Frank being one of the very few Master's students to have contributed to the panel(s), this undoubtedly left him with big shoes to fill as most of the attendees were either PhD students or academics that were well-established in their careers. As he rose to the occasion, this reassured him of his academic prowess and that his contributions were of value to the ISA community.

Whilst impostor syndrome is often the case with younger academics beginning to establish their careers, this convention was a decisive step forward for Frank. Co-authoring both papers and successfully contributing to this year's convention has reaffirmed his outstanding contributions to International Relations literature. It will be one of many achievements he will accomplish going forward as he aspires to pursue a PhD.

5. How did your undergraduate GAD studies at BNBU help prepare you for further education (Master's) and subsequent academic/professional opportunities, such as this one?

Frank with GAD Associate Professor Selçuk Çolakoğlu

With CUHK's MPhil (Master of Philosophy) in Government and Public Administration program being highly competitive and only accepting two applicants out of a pool of hundreds, Frank accredits his GAD studies to his successful admission to this prestigious program. With his experience as a Student Senator at BNBU and various Research Assistant roles throughout his undergraduate degree, Frank's time at BNBU has allowed him to cultivate his analytical skills. The comprehensive curriculum has also equipped him with a proactive global perspective incorporating environmental, economic, and governance dimensions. GAD's interdisciplinary nature also allowed him to form connections with organizations such as the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), as he interned for the NGO for a year. Such academic and practical experiences have allowed him to represent China globally as he was elected to be a representative at the youth advisory council for World Ocean Day/The Ocean Project. He won the election, thus being the only Chinese rep in the world on that panel.

Whilst his first year as an undergraduate was spent adjusting to higher education and an English-speaking environment, his second year proved pivotal as he reached out to professors in hopes of collaborating on research projects. Following a class project, he had completed in Associate Dean Professor Simon Zhao's class, he was able to impress him with the calibre of his work and successfully joined some of his classmates in assisting Professor Zhao with his second book project, in which he contributed two chapters.

Therefore, his continuous support from the GAD staff has propelled him to success. Frank particularly notes Dr. Edoardo Monaco for his guidance and words of wisdom, having taken classes taught by him for many years, as well as Dr. Çolakoğlu, Dr. Michal Vavřík and Dr. Sharon Wu for supporting him throughout his graduate application and, presently, his PhD application. He also expressed his gratitude to Professor Zhao for sparking his research interest and encouraging him to apply for the MPhil course at CUHK, which opened the door for him to participate in various research projects.

Frank's research collaborations with the GAD staff have proved to be enduring. This year, he co-authored and published a research paper on Pandemic Control Policies in China, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore alongside Professor Zhao in the highly reputable- Journal of Contemporary China. Such collaborations highlight the presence and importance of staff-student research collaborations, fostering student innovation and allowing them to take the initiative in academic endeavours.

6. Do you have any advice for current GAD students, i.e. how to approach writing well-written and focused research papers, co-authoring research papers, collaborating with other academics, and utilizing the skills gained from the GAD program at BNBU for further academic/professional opportunities?

When queried for any advice he had for current GAD students, Frank shared the life lessons he had learned based on his undergraduate experiences. Generally, this was grounded on his importance of being proactive and ambitious. He explained that the opportunity to progress is only available to those who want to reach out and pursue it. With self-confidence and motivation, one can reach out to the professors in the GAD program and inquire about joint research-writing ventures. Based on his experiences contributing to Professor Zhao's book publication and co-authoring publications with Dr. Çolakoğlu, he confirmed that the professors are kind and reserve judgment. These opportunities start to present themselves in the student's second year as they take more specialized courses, i.e., significant electives and required courses such as research methods. During these classes, Frank was able to work on refining his research skills and putting them into practice when writing his papers and subsequent class projects. With the knowledge that no research paper is perfect or beyond criticism, students can set realistic expectations to avoid being overly critical of themselves and their academic abilities. So long as you are receptive to feedback and constructive criticism, you can learn from mentors such as professors and peers.

Finally, Frank advised the importance of cultivating an environment conducive to success. With many students pursuing entrance to the top 100 institutions, it was key for Frank to cultivate an atmosphere of using English colloquially and professionally. He cited this as being a vital element of pursuing further education outside of China, as well as pursuing a global career. Immersive examples of working towards this goal included changing his computer settings to English so he could transition to English more easily and collaborating with international peers. The benefits of this are reflected by his participation at the ISA Chicago convention and his current Master's study at CUHK. In essence, current GAD students should keep an open mind and not be afraid to approach professors when drafting research proposals or looking to co-author research papers. The undergraduate level, after all, is a safe space to explore research interests, refine research skills, network, and collaborate with your peers, ultimately sharing your ideas with your classmates and professors (i.e. via classes you take/class projects/ research papers).

Interview and article by Ilwad Ahmed (Globalization and Development foreign intern)