Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

Host organisation: Royal Society of Edinburgh

Project title: Surveying the current major activities of Scottish Universities across China

Project description

This project aims to provide a detailed overview of all current and recent major activities involving the Royal Society of Edinburgh's (RSE) China priorities, and the Scottish Higher Education sector.

The RSE is keen to support an intern with some knowledge of and connections to China to carry out a systematic review of the collaborative activities (ongoing or recently completed in the last 2 years) of all Higher Education Institutions across Scotland.

The objective is to produce a report to help inform the RSE Asia-Pacific Working Group's priorities and programme of work.

Outputs

  • A draft report distributed to the RSE Asia-Pacific Working Group members (for comment, feedback and further suggestions).
  • A final report for the RSE Asia-Pacific Working Group and International Committee.
  • An oral presentation of the final report at an RSE International Committee meeting.
  • Creation of a small directory of the ongoing activities.

In person/remote/hybrid

Predominantly remote with in-person days at the RSE (22-26 George Street, Edinburgh).

Benefits to the researcher

  • Gain valuable experience working at Scotland’s National Academy;
  • A deeper understanding and insight into the extent of Scotland’s involvement in China relations, including research and development in the HE sector;
  • Opportunity to suggest further research from a multidisciplinary approach;
  • Help to inform areas of future activity for the RSE;
  • Increased network development as the researcher works across Scottish HE stakeholders, organisations and world-renowned RSE Fellows;
  • Learning both from RSE colleagues, Fellows, and scholars with the potential for including academics in China;
  • Opportunity to present and discuss work at relevant committee meetings.

Key relationships

Working with colleagues across the programmes of the RSE, scholars including in China, Fellows of the RSE, Scottish HEIs and other key organisations across academia, business, and the public sector.

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Languages and Linguistics; Creative Writing; Policy, Arts Management and Creative Industries; Cultural Studies and Pop Culture; Information and Knowledge Management; Records Management; Information Science and Retrieval; Cultural History; Political History; History of Science/Medicine/Technology; Economic and Social History; International Law; Media and Communication Studies; Publishing; Asiatic and Oriental Studies.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Research methods – Practical application; Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Information Seeking; Information literacy and management; Academic literacy and numeracy.
  • Desirable: Subject knowledge.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Critical thinking; Evaluating; Problem Solving; Analysing; Synthesising.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Inquiring minds.
  • Desirable: Intellectual insight; Argument construction.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Self-reflection; Responsibility.
  • Desirable: Self-confidence.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management; Responsiveness to change; Work-life balance.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Essential: Networking.
  • Desirable: Responsiveness to opportunities.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Ethics, principles and sustainability; Respect and confidentiality; Attribution and co-authorship; Appropriate practice.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Research Strategy; Project planning and delivery.
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Collegiality; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
  • Desirable: Team working; Influence and leadership.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Essential: Communication methods.
  • Desirable: Publication.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Essential: Society and culture; Global citizenship.
  • Desirable: Policy.

First published: 28 September 2026

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