Bryant and China University of Geosciences foster research collaboration

Video conference between the two schools allows faculty to identify potential research partners.

A 13-hour time difference isn’t enough to stop faculty at Bryant and the China University of Geosciences (CUG) at Wuhan from sharing their research projects and laying the foundation for future collaboration.

On November 30, faculty from each school presented their research via the CUG-Bryant Distance Learning Joint Technology Classroom, a synchronized Internet and video conference link that allows real-time communication between the two universities.

“Having different perspectives is always useful in research,” says Brian Blais, associate professor of science and technology. Blais came up with the idea for the research program as part of the department’s continued work with the CUG to develop a dual Master in Environmental Administration.

After David Lux, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, gave his opening remarks in Chinese, 19 faculty members from the two schools presented current projects and agendas for future research during two sessions.

Judy Barrett Litoff, professor of history, and Joseph Ilacqua, professor of economics, who presented “Collaborative Learning at a Distance: Cultures and Economies in Transition,” have been teaching a course for a decade titled “Cultures and Economies in Transition” (HIS 376). The class, which originally focused on the 15 republics of the former Soviet Union, expanded two years ago to include China.

“We believe that forming collaborations with faculty and students from CUG will allow us and our students to more fully understand the cultural and economic challenges of transition in China,” says Litoff.

By working with educators from another country, Litoff and Ilacqua can investigate topics from a perspective they otherwise might not have encountered.

“It provides us with opportunities to experience a distinctly different culture at the grassroots level and move away from superficial knowledge,” says Ilacqua.

Assistant Professor of Marketing Sukki Yoon presented “Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior.” His research, which is primarily concerned with Eastern and Western buying patterns, is a perfect topic for collaboration. He envisions a colleague at CUG helping to collect the data in China.

Andrea Boggio, assistant professor of history and social sciences, presented “The Impact of Technological and Scientific Advances on Societies: Policy and Ethical Aspects.” He says working with scholars in China can break down the language barrier that can make it difficult to gather data. China is also an increasingly important player in the world and one that he would like to discover more about.

“You always learn from people who come from distant corners of the world,” says Boggio.

Yun Xiao, associate professor of modern languages, says she looks forward to working with the CUG for her research “American Students Learning Chinese in China: Key to Success.”

Blais, who presented “Statistics and Environmental Resource Modeling,” says he would like to apply his research in statistical modeling to help explain issues facing China.

A future video conference, says Blais, could be a roundtable discussion focused on one topic. “Real-time exchanges are often the places where the best ideas come out of,” he says.

Since 2004, the two schools have coordinated academic and cultural programs including faculty and student exchanges.

Bryant Presenters

Kirsten Antonelli,assistant professor of science and technology, “Characterization of Intracellular Signaling Cascades”

Brian Blais,associate professor of science and technology, “Statistics and Environmental Resource Modeling”

Andrea Boggio,assistant professor of history and social sciences, “The Impact of Technological and Scientific Advances on Societies: Policy and Ethical Aspects”

Jongsung Kim, associate professor of economics, “Labor Market Inequalities in China and in the United States”

Gaytha Langlois, professor of science and technology, “Microbial Ecology and Environmental Policy Issues”

Judy Barrett Litoff, professor of history, and Joseph Ilacqua, professor of economics, “Collaborative Learning at a Distance: Cultures and Economies in Transition”

Joe Trunzo, assistant professor of psychology, “Psychosocial Factors and Health Behaviors”

Yun Xiao, associate professor of modern languages, “American Students Learning Chinese in China: Key to Success”

Sukki Yoon, assistant professor of marketing, “Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior”