Bio (She/Her/Hers）
I’m Yichun (Jennifer) Li and I am currently a doctoral candidate in Chinese History at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Li Guoqiang (Vice President of the Institute of Chinese History, CASS) and Prof. Yu Hui (Director of the Research and Publication Department, Palace Museum). My primary research interests lie in the history of Sino-foreign exchanges, cultural heritage along the Silk Road, and the emerging field of Contemporary Chinese Studies.
Before pursuing my Ph.D., I obtained an M.A. in Chinese History from Nankai University, graduating first in my cohort. I also completed an M.A. in History at the University of Bristol, where I studied under Prof. Robert Bickers and focused on modern China (19th–20th century) and colonialism. This academic background in Chinese historiography and global historical studies forms the basis for my current doctoral research on Sino-European exchanges along the Silk Road.
I am currently engaged in the national-level project on the Comprehensive Study of Sino-European Exchanges along the Silk Road. Building on this project, I am also in the process of writing several research papers that explore the construction of Contemporary China Studies, the intellectual implications of China’s global image, and the dynamics of cross-civilizational dialogue. These works aim to deepen our understanding of how China has been represented, interpreted, and positioned within a global historical framework.
My academic contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the National Scholarship (twice), the Think Big Scholarship (University of Bristol), and several top awards from Nankai University. Beyond research, I am committed to public engagement, serving as a public ambassador for the Tao Xingzhi Foundation and previously as a Goodwill Ambassador for Public Welfare China.