by Jinjin ZHANG
PhD Candidate in Japanese Studies, CUHK

The HEYTA Forum 2024 (3- 5 Sep 2024, University of Exter, UK) was a highly rewarding experience, aligning perfectly with my research interests in interconnectivity, digital transformation, and sustainability. Collaborating with peers from diverse fields such as economics, engineering, media studies, and anthropology, we delivered an insightful presentation on AI regulations from a social constructivist perspective. This sparked a valuable dialogue on the critical challenges we face in our increasingly digital world.

The forum also provided an excellent platform for exchanging insights with UK scholars, where I shared findings from my ethnographic work in Japan and China. It was fascinating to observe how our research converged despite focusing on different contexts. I also learned a great deal from academic role models who were not only intellectually productive but also highly skilled at engaging diverse audiences and exploring creative, non-traditional academic writing.

The social activities, from beach walks to a cathedral visit and dinner dancing, made the event even more memorable, deepening my understanding of British culture. I left the forum feeling inspired, well-connected, and excited about future collaborations with UK scholars.

Conference history

HEYTA is the student conference of UKCHA that, since its establishment in 2016, has held multiple conferences, exchanges, and events among scholars, making significant social impact. To expand academic discussion and cooperation in the student community, HEYTA was initiated in 2019, exploring ways for students to engage in humanities and social sciences-related conversations between the UK and China. In April 2019, the first HEYTA event was successfully held at Tsinghua University, Beijing, with delegates engaging in a range of visits, lectures, and workshops which promoted intercultural exchange in humanities and social science disciplines. From 2020 to 2023, the University of Exeter and Tsinghua University have successfully organised in turn four virtual and face-to-face events to foster valuable dialogue between young people across the two countries.

After the Covid-19 period, HEYTA 2023 also took place at the University of Tsinghua in Beijing, China, and was attended by 16 students from a range of UK universities (University of Exeter; University of Oxford; University of Warwick; University of Manchester; University College London and SOAS University of London) – alongside students from major Chinese universities, including Tsinghua and Fudan. Students attended a series of lectures, cultural activities, and visits to the Forbidden City, local museums, and art galleries, and we were introduced to the Chinese culture.