Summer 2018 Synopsis

Project Team Leaders: Dr. Zheya Gai and Dr. Nichole Fifer

The LIASE social science group was in China in May and June studying cities transitioning from natural resource based economies to renewable and service sector economies.

The research team for 2017-2018 consists of rising junior Molly Doran (Psychology) and rising seniors Capri Backus (International Studies and Public Policy),Taylor Grinage (International Studies and Accounting), and Amanda Borwegen (Political Science and Economics). The LIASE faculty members Dr. Zheya Gai (Political Science and International Studies) and Dr. Nichole Fifer (Political Science and Public Policy) led the team.

The team conducted research in Qingdao, a city transitioning from a natural commodities and industrial economic base to the entertainment industry, and upscale tourism; and Dongying, a city transitioning from a petroleum extraction and commodities based economy to advanced chemical production and technology.

Professors Wang Jun, Ma Ying, Fan Qiufang, Huang Xinying, Li Hui, and their colleagues and students at our LIASE partner institution China University of Petroleum in Qingdao facilitated the research.

The team also visited Beijing and Shanghai to get a diverse view of modern life in China and to fulfill the cultural immersion objectives of the LIASE program.