May 2026 in Madison: 8th Annual UW-PKU Workshop on Higher Education
May 2026 Workshop Theme:
Academic Internationalism in Turbulent Times
Click here to see the conference program!
ORGANIZERS:
- Adam Nelson, John L. Thomas (WARF) Professor and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Educational Policy Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Shen Wenqin, Associate Professor of Higher Education at the Graduate School of Education, Peking University
DATE: May 18-19, 2026
LOCATION: Wisconsin Idea Room, Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, UW–Madison
HOTEL: Fluno Center, 601 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53715
The workshop begins!
The 8th Annual UW-PKU Workshop on Higher Education was held in Madison May 18-19 and started with introductions of participants.
Welcome remarks!
Opening remarks were offered by UW–Madison Education Professor Adam Nelson, and International Studies Dean Frances Vavrus.
Paper 1, “Pasts” theme
WANG Chen of Beijing Normal University served as the discussant for Professor Nelson’s paper focused on U.S. history.
Paper 2, “Pasts” theme
WANG Liping of Peking University offered a presentation on 1930s-50s education theories.
Tea break time!
Participants had many chances to talk informally together during each workshop day.
Paper 3, “Pathways” theme
SHEN Wenqin of Peking University, one of the workshop organizers, spoke about international student mobility.
Paper 4, “Pathways” theme
ZHA Qiang of York University in Toronto spoke about recent surveys of international students in Canada.
Workshop Day Two
The conversation continued in the Education Building’s “Wisconsin Idea Room.”
Paper 5, “People” theme
HUANG Futao of Hiroshima University in Japan discussed his findings about geopolitical pressures on international students.
Paper 6, “People” theme
ZHENG Lei of Peking University attended via Zoom to present her paper on talent cultivation in China.
Lively discussions!
Each paper included time for remarks by a discussant and comments from the workshop participants and the audience.
Paper 7, “Power” theme
Jingjing LOU of Beloit College in Wisconsin presented her research about African students in Chinese higher education.
Paper 8, “Power” theme
XIE Ailei and LI Tianshu of South China Normal University listened to comments on their paper from Chris Kirchgasler, UW–Madison.
Group photo
The conclusion of the 8th Annual workshop! Looking forward to next year in Beijing!
“We have an obligation to set an example of ‘academic internationalism in turbulent times’ by getting together in each other’s home countries for wide-ranging discussions.”