I. Introduction
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Country and Region Studies at Wuhan University of Technology aims to analyze the characteristics, current situations and future trends of target regions and countries by studying their language, culture, politics, economy, geography, and history. Employing both theoretical and empirical methods, the centre provides scientific analysis and predictions, offering intellectual support, decision-making consultations, theoretical exploration, and practical analyses for national and local strategic planning and policy-making.
In September 2022, Country and Region Studies was included as a first-level discipline directory of interdisciplinary studies under the newly issued Graduate Education Discipline Catalogue (2022), highlighting its growing significance. The centre focuses on developing research pathways tailored to the needs of Hubei Province, striving to establish distinctive academic strengths while serving regional development. Specifically, the centre emphasizes Hubei’s technological and cultural exchanges with overseas regions, addresses the challenges faced by different sectors (industry-government-institution) in Hubei in international cooperation, and enhances its consulting capabilities through specialized research and the translation of significantliterature. It prioritizes objectivity, scientific rigor, and originality in policy recommendations to support Hubei’s development.
II. Research Directions
1. Hubei’s International Cooperation in Scienceand Education
This field aims to support Hubei’s international cooperation in science and education, with a focus on the province’s technological and cultural exchanges between Hubei Province and countries such as France, Japan, Russia, the United States, and French-speaking regions of Africa. By conducting specialized studies and translating significantliterature, its research effectivelyconnects global resources, deepens international collaboration, and helps Hubei Province leverage its strengths in science and education to become a powerhouse in technological innovation.
2. Coverage of Hubei in Overseas Media
This field qualitatively analyzes how major overseas media to report on Hubei, clarifying the choices and interpretations made in factual report in current international context. It aims to understand Hubei’s image in the minds of global audiences and to propose strategies for promoting Hubei internationally. By telling the China Story and the Hubei Story more effectively, this research field seeks to enhance Hubei’s global influence. As China is movingbeyond“facing the world” to “leading the world,” strengthening research in this area is a vital step toward building a bridge of mutual understanding and fulfilling the academic mission of universities. The research also aims to explore pathways for advancing country and region studies within foreign language disciplines and contributing to Hubei’s global engagement.
3. Historical Diplomatic Archives of Hankou’s Former Consulates
This fieldinvolves compiling and verifying diplomatic archives from various former consulates in Hankou toensure the accuracy of historical narratives and the richness of historical interpretations. Utilizing multi-national archival materials, the study aims to shift the focus of international relations research from unilateral diplomacy to a balanced, multi-perspective narratives. After going through patterns and proposals of National Social Science Fund projects over the past decade, we have found that archival studies is gaining more importance. Up to now, research on the former consulates in Hankou has primarily been conducted from the perspective of Chinese historiography, which is why there is an urgent need to reconstruct the historical process through the restoration of multi-national historical archives, with added value to reveal the deep logic behind historical phenomena and the internal connections between different parts of history
In addition to the above research directions, the centre may introduce one or two new research topics annually based on member proposals and collective discussions.
III. Development Plan
The centre is committed to developing its disciplinary strengths, producing high-quality research projects and results, strengthening collaborations with academic institutions at home and abroad, and fostering a robust talent pipeline. This includes the following four aspects:
1. Building Disciplinary Strengths and Advantages
The centre will focus on demand-oriented and hot-topic research to play a vital role in scientific research, academic exchange, consulting services, and talent cultivation.
2. Advancing High-Quality Research Projects and Outputs
Through research projects, the centre organizes its team into specialized groups to balance collective efforts and individualized development. Research projects and outcomes are essential for advancing academic standards, improving education quality, and building a strong faculty. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the centre aims to undertake three to four provincial or ministerial research projects with funding exceeding 500,000 RMB. It also seeks to publish seven or eight CSSCI papers, two monographs, translated works, or textbooks, while continuously enhancing research quality and capacity.
3. Strengthening Collaboration with Academic Institutions
The centre plans to join the Alliance for Talent Development and Discipline Construction in Country and Region Studies and establish long-term academic partnerships with prestigious universities and research institutions domestically and globally. It will deepen academic exchanges with domestic country and region studies, invite leading scholars and think-tank members to deliver lectures, and foster active academic dialogues.
4. Building a Robust Talent Pipeline
The centre will systematically recruit outstanding scholars, particularly those with overseas academic experience, while enhancing the training of existing staff. In each of the following years, it will sponsor team members to attend advanced workshops, cooperative research programs, and both domestic and international academic exchanges. The goal is to establish a high-level, professional research team with a well-structured age and comprehensive expertise.
