Recently, Research Fellow Shi Dan, Member of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and President of the China Industrial Economics Association, was invited by the College of Transdisciplinary Sciences and the College of Economic and Social Development (CESD) at Nankai University to deliver a lecture as part of the CESD Academic Forum series.
The lecture was chaired by Professor Bai Xuejie, Vice Dean of the College of Economic and Social Development, who also delivered welcoming remarks. Professor Du Chuanzhong, Director of the College of Industrial Economics at Nankai University, served as the discussant. The event was attended by Chen Yibin, Deputy Director of the Office of the College of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Liu Weilin, Vice Dean of the College of Economic and Social Development, and more than 30 graduate student representatives from interdisciplinary research programs, the School of Economics, the Zhou Enlai School of Government, and the College of Economic and Social Development.
In his presentation, Research Fellow Shi emphasized that building an independent Chinese knowledge system is an important expectation articulated by President Xi Jinping for scholars in philosophy and the social sciences. He noted that economics research must be firmly grounded in China’s own development experience while integrating insights from history, culture, science, philosophy, and other disciplines to address major real-world issues that existing Western theories are unable to fully explain.
Shi further argued that interdisciplinary research is the essential pathway toward developing an independent knowledge system for China’s new industrialization. Drawing on his experience leading major research projects, he explained how his team collaborated with scholars from economic history, archaeology, management studies, and other fields, achieving a deep integration of theoretical innovation and practical application.
During the discussion session, doctoral students actively engaged with topics including:
The impact of artificial intelligence on employment;
The cultivation of highly skilled craftsmen and technical talent;
The integration of manufacturing and modern service industries;
The value and future role of academic research in the AI era.
Shi responded to each question in detail, encouraging young scholars to continuously update their knowledge structures, remain grounded in practical field research, and pursue problem-oriented research agendas. He emphasized the importance of maintaining academic integrity and purpose amid rapid technological change while demonstrating the practical value of economic research.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Du Chuanzhong noted that Shi Dan’s presentation combined historical depth, theoretical innovation, and practical relevance. With what he described as a research perspective that is both “visionary and grounded,” Shi systematically explained the unique value of China’s industrial civilization and provided important insights for the development of an independent knowledge system in industrial economics.
The CESD Academic Forum, established in 2021, serves as an academic exchange platform dedicated to fostering intellectual dialogue and scholarly collaboration. Each session invites renowned scholars from China and abroad to discuss frontier issues in economic development and is open to faculty members and students across the university.
