Dr. Stephenson served as a distinguished speaker at Zhengzhou University's Postdoctoral Academic Forum on "Theories and Practices of Public Governance in the Digital Age," held July 5-6, 2025, at the Zhengzhou Guanghua Hotel in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China. Dr. Stephenson presented "Reflections on Imagination and Governance." His keynote was attended by more than 300 higher education leaders from 23 universities throughout China. He also presented a lecture addressing "Creative Community Engagement Methods" to an undergraduate honors class of 70 students.

Dr. Stephenson’s visit was planned in coordination with Dr. Zhanle Li. Dr. Li serves as an Associate Professor at Zhengzhou University in the School of Politics and Public Administration and is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Institute working with Dr. Stephenson on his research interests in social policy and public administration. Dr. Li arrived in Blacksburg in February and will be with the Institute until December.

Dr. Stephenson enjoyed the opportunity to present IPG’s work on a global stage.

“This opportunity proved a special pleasure.  It was a privilege to meet so many scholars from throughout the nation and to learn more about their work. I was also personally struck by the strong  and vital role Henan province has played in China’s long history.”

Likewise, Dr. Li thought the visit was successful.

“Dr. Stephenson gave a thought-provoking lecture at the Forum on Public Governance in the Digital Age,” Dr. Li said. “We had a fulfilling and fruitful trip.”

During their free time, Drs. Stephenson and Dr. Li visited several major historical and cultural attractions in Henan province, including the Henan Museum and Yellow River Cultural Park. This trip was Dr. Stephenson’s second to China in an academic capacity, as he previously visited in October 2018 to serve as a Distinguished Visiting Hai-Ten (Sea-Sky) Scholar in Governance at Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China.

IPG extends its sincere gratitude to Dean Gao of the Zhengzhou University School of Politics and Public Administration and the many other Zhengzhou University faculty, staff and graduate students for being such gracious hosts. We look forward to further collaboration in the future.

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