Case Study: Researching China Network – Nana Zhang
1) When the network started:
The network started in 2011 with a seminar ‘Researching China: Approaches, Perspectives
and Challenges’, funded by Roberts Funding.
‘Researching China’ is centred on the various research methods and practices in different
disciplines as they apply to work on and in China. The workshop aims to provide Warwick
researchers a supportive and valuable forum to present and share their latest research work
on China. It also offers those who are interested in doing China-related research an
opportunity to discuss their ideas with experts and researchers in the field. Eight speakers
from a range of disciplines such as sociology, social policy, education, politics and
management studies will present their ‘fresh from the field’ research on the development of
China across time periods and perspectives and reflect on the challenges and dilemmas in
their research practices. It is hoped that the workshop will initiate the establishment of a
China-research network across the Warwick research community.
2) How it has developed, its purpose:
With the funding from LDC, a series of seminars were organised. The events have created a
supportive space for Warwick researchers to network, share their research and foster possible
collaboration links for future research on China related issues.
3) How it is funded:
Roberts Funding
LDC Staff Network Funding
4) What events have been run:
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Marian Orton (SHSS, University of Warwick) ‘Researching older people’s use of
outdoor space in residential areas of towns and cities in China’
Ling Wu (University of Warwick) ‘Circle Time in a Chinese secondary school - western
seeds meet eastern soil’
Qing Wang (Warwick Business School) ‘Building research network and collaborations
with Chinese academic institutions and researchers’
Sandy Sparks (LDC, University of Warwick) ‘China – opportunities, challenges but
more importantly learning & things to consider (top tips)’
Peter Ferdinand (PAIS, University of Warwick) ‘Researching politics and international
relations in China’
Nana Zhang (Sociology, University of Warwick) ‘Researching with migrant children in
contemporary China’
Pinmei Huang (SHSS, University of Warwick) ‘Changes of fatherhood in China’
He Huang (University of Kent) ‘Qualitative methods in fieldwork of China studies:
take urban village study as an example’
Abdul Paliwala (School of Law, University of Warwick) ‘Should Confucius Take the
Blame? Confucius, Confucianism and Contemporary Education’
Zijin Li (School of Law, University of Warwick) ‘Discrimination Based on “Health
Status” in Contemporary China’
Ma Xiao (WMG, University of Warwick) ‘Digital Technologies in Research’