Where have all the American China Experts Gone?

In this episode, we invite Rory Truex, an associate professor at Princeton University, to discuss a recurring issue on the podcast: the plight of the US-China academic exchange and the urgent need to attract more American scholars to do research in China. 

Despite the recent revival of several American academic programs in China, the post-COVID number of US students in the PRC is still woefully inadequate. Professor Truex gives an overview of some reasons for this deterioration of interest by American scholars and the challenges of doing meaningful research in the current Chinese academic environment. 

We also discuss predictions about the new Trump administration’s possible effects on US-China relations, the implications for government support and funding of educational exchange programs, and the perception of Chinese and American exchange students as security risks. Rory also describes his path of development as a China scholar during the so-called "Golden Age" of the early 2000s in China, and the current difficulties of carrying out unfettered academic research in a new era of tightening restrictions.

Rory Truex is Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. His research focuses on Chinese politics and authoritarian systems. He regularly contributes to major publications such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and New York Times.

Mentioned on the podcast:

“Where have all the American China experts gone?"

Washington Post, January 3, 2024

Topics Covered

  • - The evolving nature of American student interest in China

  • - Challenges of conducting research in an increasingly restrictive Chinese political environment

  • - Alternative research methods and working with diaspora communities

  • - The shifting demographics of the China studies field

  • - Hopes and concerns for US-China educational exchange under a second Trump administration

Notable Quotes

"There's a lot of different ways to get China expertise. And I think the output we put out into the world in academia, it's very constrained... Nobody actually wants to read our papers, right? Like, let's be honest. So I'm a big believer in the kind of democraticness of the China field and welcoming a lot of different voices." - On the value of diverse perspectives in China studies

"Research has become different. And I would say even at the PhD level and the professor level, everybody's struggling with how to navigate the research context." - On the challenges of conducting research in China's current political climate

"Instability is not good for academic programming, right? Because administrators are risk-averse, parents are risk-averse, students are risk-averse. And so I worry that a lot of these programs were rebuilding. I hope they survive and I hope they thrive." - On the potential impacts of US-China tensions on educational exchange

Truex provides an insightful look at how American academia is grappling with the shifting landscape of China studies in an era of tightening political control and geopolitical tensions. While cognizant of the challenges and risks, he remains hopeful that institutions will continue working to maintain the vital people-to-people ties between the US and China.

“Where have all the American China experts gone?" , Washington Post, January 3, 2024

Episode Transcript