As part of the Provost’s Global Funding Awards (PGFA) initiative, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing supported a multi-stage academic program organized by Professor Ellen MacKay. Held from March 15 to March 22, the event brought together participating scholars for a series of coordinated activities in Beijing and Shanghai, combining logistical support with structured academic engagement and cultural exchange.
The program began in Beijing (March 15–18), where participants arrived and were supported through coordinated accommodation, airport transfers, and on-site logistics arranged by the Center. These arrangements ensured an efficient and well-organized start to the program, allowing participants to focus on academic engagement and exchange.
On March 19, the group traveled together to Shanghai via high-speed rail, marking the transition to the second phase of the program. Activities in Shanghai (March 19–21) combined workshop-based learning with cultural engagement. A featured workshop on Chinese performance practices provided an interactive platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, while scheduled group activities and discussions encouraged continued scholarly exchange in both formal and informal settings.
The program also incorporated a day trip to Suzhou on March 20 and a guided museum visit in Shanghai on March 21, offering participants opportunities to engage with regional history and material culture. These components complemented the academic focus of the program and enriched participants’ overall experience.
The program concluded with a final discussion session reflecting on key themes and future collaboration, before participants departed on March 22.
Overall, the event successfully integrated logistical coordination with academic programming. Through its comprehensive support, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing enabled a smooth and productive exchange across locations, contributing to the broader goals of the PGFA initiative and fostering sustained international scholarly collaboration.
