Drs. Dodge & Hartnett Host Delegation from 16 Universities—Elevating U.S.–China Communication, Collaboration, Community, and Continuity at the Eleventh Scholars Summit

Published: Nov. 25, 2025

A group of approximately 30 visiting scholars and administrators from U.S. and Chinese universities stand together in front of a colorful mural at the University of Colorado Denver. They are posed in a single row, dressed in professional attire, smiling toward the camera. The CU Denver and Department of Communication logos appear at the bottom of the image along with the event location and date.

This year marked the eleventh consecutive year of collaboration in hosting a delegation of visiting Chinese scholars and administrators (representing 16 universities) alongside the National Communication Association’s (NCA) annual convention. The Preconference, our Eleventh Scholars Summit, served as a platform to elevate community building efforts, celebrate ongoing partnerships, foster international dialogue, and advance future academic initiatives grounded in trust, collegiality, and friendship. Over the past decade, this collaborative network has also co-organized conferences in Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, further strengthening ties among U.S. and Chinese scholars, students, and institutions.

"When governments fight, scholars seek understanding"

Patrick Dodge, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, opened the summit by tracing the history of partnership over the past decade, describing an initial stage centered on building friendships and establishing trust. He reported that “COVID really stopped the momentum of our collaborative work,” and that the subsequent intensification of U.S.-China competition has slowed the pace of post-Covid reconnections. Stephen Hartnett, Professor, Department of Communication, noted that the collaborations are now entering a third stage, one defined by the idea that “when governments fight, scholars seek understanding.” This framing set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to renewed dialogue and peace-building scholarship.

Panelists, including COMM BMA student, Yining Wang Sally and COMM ICB alumni, Zhengxin Liu Javier and Jinghan Zhang Sharon, discussed the evolving landscape of communication and key issues facing the discipline. Panel topics included, “International Study in the Age of Resurgent Nationalism,” “Integrating Visual Media in Communication Research and Education,” and “Elevating International Issues and Perspectives," accompanied by a documentary spotlight. CLAS Dean Pamela Jansma and Department of Communication Chair Hamilton Bean, and the National Communication Association’s (NCA) Executive Director Justin Danowski, and NCA 2nd VP, Shaunak Sastry welcomed the delegation, while the Director of International Studies, Dr. Soumia Bardhan, and AVC for International Affairs, Alana Jones helped kick off the afternoon panels.

a woman in a burgundy top, a woman with long gray hair wearing a black cardigan and CU Denver badge, a man in glasses and a light jacket, and a woman in a dark dress. All appear friendly and posed for a group photo at the Eleventh Scholars Summit event.

We extend our gratitude to CU Denver's Department of Communication, Office of International Affairs, and CLAS, and the NCA for their generous support of this event. A special shout-out and thank you goes to Michelle Medal. One of this year's major outcomes is the continuation of these conversations through a summer conference collaboration to be hosted at Xiamen University in 2026.

 

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