Editors: Chi Zhang & Jingxuan Zhuge, Class of 2025
Jialin (Cammie) Li, an outstanding member of the Class of 2024 and now a PhD student at the University of Arizona, exemplifies remarkable commitment to scholarly pursuits and research excellence. Through her rigorous academic endeavors and close collaboration with Prof. Annemieke Van Den Dool, Jialin has contributed significantly to several research initiatives at the Center for the Study of Contemporary China (CSCC). Her work spans from the 2020-2021 Pilot Research Project on the intricacies of policymaking in China to her most recent investigation into the impact of focusing events, such as COVID-19, on legislative processes within autocratic regimes.
Jialin’s passion for and excellence in research led her to co-author a book chapter with Prof. Van Den Dool earlier this year, titled “Applying the Multiple Streams Framework to Lawmaking in China: The 2004 Amendment of the Infectious Diseases Law.” This chapter is included in “China’s Evolving Policy Processes under Comparative Lenses,” edited by Wei Li and published by Routledge in London.
Additionally, Jialin has presented her findings at various prestigious international conferences, including the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles (August 31-September 3), the International Conference on China Policy Studies in Beijing (June 14-16), and the Conference on Policy Process Research in Syracuse, NY(May 15-17), among others.
Furthermore, over the past two years, she has published two journal articles with Prof. Van Den Dool in the Policy Studies Journal—one of the leading journals in policy research. The articles are titled “What do we know about the punctuated equilibrium theory in China? A systematic review and research priorities,” and “Policy Stability and Policy Change in China: A Systematic Literature Review of the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory”.
Her scholarly accomplishments have earned her a fully funded position in the PhD program at the University of Arizona. As we get ready to unfold the story of Jialin’s inspiring journey, we will explore her academic path, the collaborative experiences that have influenced her growth, and the vision that continues to drive her forward.
Jialin, your research has focused on pivotal areas of policymaking/lawmaking in China. What drove your initial interest in this specific field of study?
My interest in policymaking in China began during the course PUBPOL301: Political Analysis for Public Policy. This course introduced me to the different stages of the policymaking process from a comparative perspective. As part of the coursework, I wrote four policy memos analyzing domestic violence against women in China, which involved a deep dive into news articles, NGO reports, and academic journals. This research opened my eyes to the complexities of China’s legislative process and the key players involved.
A turning point came when I analyzed the 2015 Chinese Anti-Domestic Violence Law for my final assignment. While the law had good intentions, I noticed significant challenges that victims faced in proving their claims in court. Motivated to drive positive change, I revised my assignment into a proposal, which I sent to the Chinese Ministry of Justice’s online opinion platform and local congress delegates. Unfortunately, my efforts did not receive any feedback, but this experience reinforced a crucial lesson: influencing policy requires not only rigorous analysis but also strategic advocacy and lobbying. It also made me realize that, to drive changes, it is essential it is to understand the institutions and decision-making processes at play, particularly in an authoritarian context. This experience inspires me to focus my academic research on the policy change in authoritarian China.
Later that year, I joined Professor van den Dool’s SRS program “Mapping Legal Change in China,” where I helped establish a comprehensive database of over 600 Chinese laws and amendments passed and explored factors influencing China’s legislative agenda. This summer research sparked a compelling question: When and why do policies and laws change in autocracies? From then on, I dedicated my research to answering this question.
The 2020-2021 Pilot Research Project that studies the role of societal events in lawmaking in China was one of your first major projects with Prof. Van Den Dool. What was the most valuable insight or lesson you gained from this experience?
My experience with this project, which was my first major research endeavor, taught me invaluable lessons about challenges and overcoming challenges in research. Through this project, I learned three key lessons: patience, persistence, and communication & cooperation.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was collecting Chinese legislative documents. These documents were scattered across various websites and databases, and some were missing entirely, which left me feeling extremely stressed. Patience allowed me to pay attention to details and explore alternative methods for data collection. Persistence motivated me to work harder and continuously acquire new knowledge and skills. And most importantly, communicating my concerns with Professor Van Den Dool proved essential. Her experience helped resolve some of the issues, and we collaborated to tackle the remaining challenges together. This experience taught me that research goes beyond gathering and analyzing data; it involves navigating obstacles with determination and teamwork to achieve one’s goal/answer one’s question.
Presenting your research at international conferences is a significant accomplishment. How did you prepare for these events, and what were the most rewarding aspects of sharing your findings with a global academic audience?
Preparing for international conferences involves a lot of thought and effort, particularly in crafting my presentations. About a month before the conference, I started working on my slides, always asking myself: What story do I want to tell? I aim to share a story about China that resonates with an international audience and present a captivating and coherent story about my research. I have worked closely with my mentor Professor Van Den Dool, who helped review my slides multiple times. This process has significantly sharpened my research objectives and streamlined the manuscript content.
As a non-native English speaker, I usually write out my speech word for word and edit it several times. This step is crucial for finding the right wording, phrasing, and flow, ensuring that I can effectively communicate my research. After that, I memorize my speech and practice in front of a mirror to refine my expressions, body language, and eye contact. Mock presentations a day or two before the conference are helpful for identifying any flaws in my delivery and for building confidence. A mock presentation can also help alleviate pre-conference anxiety. In addition, I also anticipate potential questions for the Q&A and plan who I want to connect with ahead of time, reaching out to those individuals in advance. I also want to thank the CSCC for giving me the opportunity to present my research at their 2022 and 2023 annual meetings. Although I presented during the poster sessions, the experience of sharing my work with a diverse audience at DKU greatly strengthened my communication and presentation skills, preparing me for future presentations at international conferences.
The most rewarding aspect of sharing my findings with a global academic audience is knowing that, after my presentation, they leave with a deeper understanding of lawmaking in China. First, my work helps correct misconceptions, for example, the belief that responsiveness to problems or representation of the people does not exist in an authoritarian setting. It’s clearly not the case. Also, we hope to draw more scholarly attention to policy research in non-North American and non-European contexts. By sharing our findings, we encourage others to explore these relatively understudied areas with fresh interest.
In working on projects like “COVID-19: Disrupting the Legislative Path in China?”, how did you navigate the complexities of analyzing such a rapidly evolving topic?
I conceived this research idea towards the end of 2022, when the pandemic was winding down in China. By December 2022, COVID-19 had been officially downgraded from Category A infectious diseases, which meant I could focus on analyzing the legislative changes without the ongoing evolution of the pandemic itself.
Despite this, the topic remained complex. I gathered a new dataset comprising over 400 Chinese-language legislative documents, party-state press releases, and law journal articles. To analyze this data, I used NVivo and Excel spreadsheets for qualitative data analysis. The dataset tests the causal relationship between the pandemic and legislative change.
The collaboration with Prof. Van Den Dool led to the co-authorship of 2 journal ariticles and a book chapter. Could you walk us through the process of co-writing and publishing scholarly works?
Yes, I would First of all, to better cooperate, we established a routine of weekly meetings, each lasting 1-1.5 hours, to discuss our progress, address challenges, and plan the next steps. These sessions are crucial for making sure we are on the same page and ensuring that our progress is consistently refined and updated.
Formulating the Research Question: We usually develop the research question together, often drawing on insights from our current and previous work. In this way, we make sure we are both on board with the idea and ready to push this project forward.
Drafting Proposals: We prepare a proposal (or abstract) or IRB protocol outlining the study’s objectives and methodology. This enables us to contemplate and decide on the research objective, data source, and methods ahead of time and carefully plan our research.
Conducting Research: Data collection and analysis are conducted based on the agreed methodology. We rely on cloud-based tools like BOX to facilitate real-time collaboration, manage large datasets, and ensure that all team members have access to the latest updates and revisions.
Selecting a Journal: For publishing a journal article, we usually spend some time identifying suitable academic journals. This involves reviewing the journals’ previous publications, understanding their preference and audience, and ranking our top choices.
Writing the Manuscript: The writing process begins with drafting the abstract, followed by developing the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. We collaboratively outline the manuscript, with one author drafting the initial version and another editing it. We engage in multiple rounds of revision, incorporating feedback from each co-author. This iterative process ensures clarity, coherence, and depth. My academic writing skill has improved significantly through this experience.
The submission process involves preparing the manuscript and accompanying documents,After submission, the journal will review the manuscript, and reject works of low quality. The accepted manuscript will then be sent out for peer review, where experts in the field evaluate its quality, validity, and relevance. After around two months of waiting, we received feedback from reviewers, which we addressed through revisions. For use, this process involved two rounds of review and resubmission.
Once accepted, the manuscript goes through final editing and formatting. This stage ensures that the paper meets the journal’s standards for publication, including adherence to formatting guidelines and proofreading for accuracy.
Finally, we want others to read our work. Post-publication, we promote our work through professional networks and social media. For example, I created a poster summarizing our research and shared it across social media platforms to increase visibility and reach a broader audience.
Being admitted to the University of Arizona with a full scholarship is an extraordinary feat. What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming PhD program, and how do you feel your previous work has prepared you for this challenge?
Wow, there are so many things I’m excited about, but if I had to choose, I’m most looking forward to my growth—not just as a young scholar, but also as a person. The journey ahead promises both intellectual and personal development, and that prospect truly energizes me. For example, I’m excited about the opportunity to take advanced courses that will challenge my thinking and will introduce new ideas and research questions. I am also looking forward to engaging with leading scholars and building a strong professional network with peers and faculty who share my research interests.
As for how my previous work has prepared me for this challenge, my experience has equipped me with the knowledge, research methods, and skills essential for advanced study at the University of Arizona. Over three years as a research assistant at the CSCC, I honed my expertise in research design, literature review, diverse data collection and analysis methods. Facing a variety of research challenges has strengthened my ability to navigate complex projects, laying a solid foundation for the rigorous demands of a PhD program.
Life at DKU is undeniably busy—a fact that I believe almost all DKU students can relate to. However, this demanding environment taught me the art of effective time management. I learned how to multitask, maintain my mental health, and work efficiently under academic pressure—skills that I believe are crucial for thriving in a PhD program.
Additionally, my experience presenting research at conferences and exhibitions has greatly improved my communication skills, and feedback from scholars has sharpened my research skills and prepared me for future academic endeavors. Moreover, my tutoring roles have prepared me for potential teaching assistant positions in the PhD program. As a peer tutor for PUBPOL101 at DKU, I guided undergraduate students in writing policy memos and supported them with course content, exams, and assignments. As the coordinator of the DKU Policy Process Research Group, I also took on the responsibility of mentoring entry-level student researchers.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that facing challenges—whether in coursework or research projects—is part of the process. What truly matters is the ability to regroup, think critically, and seek support to overcome these challenges. This resilience is something I will carry with me as I embark on this next chapter at the University of Arizona.
Reflecting on your involvements with those CSCC research projects, how have your research interests and skills evolved, and what direction do you see your future research taking?
My research interests have definitely evolved over time. Initially interested in social policies like China’s Domestic Violence Law and the Dibao policy, I have expanded my scope to include health policies, such as the Infectious Diseases Law and the Biosecurity Law. This shift also brought a deeper theoretical engagement, moving from a general interest in policymaking to a passion for applying specific frameworks like Punctuated Equilibrium Theory and the Multiple Streams Framework to the Chinese context. Moreover, in my final year at DKU, I also developed a strong interest in authoritarian politics in general.
Regarding skills, I have progressed from being an entry-level student researcher, mainly handling basic data collection, to becoming a senior student researcher capable of independently conducting complex research. This journey has equipped me with a solid foundation in multiple research methods, enabling me to carry out my Signature Work with confidence.
Looking ahead, my research will most likely focus on several key areas:
- Completing my current projects with the rigor they deserve.
- Adopting a comparative perspective, expanding my empirical focus beyond China.
- Diving deeper into the topic of policy process, particularly agenda-setting, with questions like how agenda-setting in autocracies differs from democracies and why these differences exist.
- Exploring new policy areas, for example, environmental and water policies.
- Utilizing mixed methods.
- Embracing uncertainties and being open to new ideas and opportunities that may arise.
