Dai Jia has been a professor at the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communication since 2011. Originally from Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, she received her Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include environmental communications, social transformation, and global communication. She spoke with Global Business Journalism reporter Leila Worman about her educational philosophy and offered advice to GBJ students.
Q: What courses are you currently teaching?
I offer a course on Media Law and Ethics, and two others on Mass Communications in China
and Communication and Social Governance. The first course [on Media Law] is undergraduate level, and the other two are postgraduate.
Q: Why did you choose to teach at Tsinghua?
A: Tsinghua is one of the top universities in China, and was my first choice after finishing my
studies.
Q. What are some of the differences between studying in China and studying abroad?
A: Diversity is one of the foremost advantages. There are more diversified opinions among
students, and there is an opportunity to meet with and talk to people from all over the world,
which helps expose people to different viewpoints.
I got the chance to learn avant-garde research methodology. I got to cultivate my knowledge in
methodological research, and the type of education there made me able to work here [at
Tsinghua]. You get to see different ways of life, which informs how you want to live your own.
Q: What do you hope students who take your classes will gain?
A: At Tsinghua there is focus on three educational values: knowledge, value, and capability. My
courses are designed with these three goals in mind. I hope that students can attain general
knowledge but also gain an understanding of practical goals and applications. I hope students
challenge themselves and embrace new viewpoints or reinforce their own after thinking. SELF-
REFLECTION is important and maybe helps ponder ways [for] you craft a better future. I hope
students always employ critical thinking.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t teaching?
A: As a professor, research takes most of your time. Most professors are "dual track," meaning they
do both research and teaching. My research can inform the teaching process, and helps me give
students information.
Q: Do you have any advice for GBJ students?
A: Jump out of your comfort zone. You need to have curiosity to open your eyes and mind, or else
you get stuck in a box you can't get out of. I encourage you to embrace [living in] a new society, even if you don't like it at first. Eventually you might find something you like. Immerse yourself. Don’t be afraid to let go of your own prejudices, have courage, and learn to navigate the society.
Use critical thinking to analyze China. Reflections are also important. Plus [you should] enjoy
life. I hope my students are happy. I know how lonely it can be and how many difficulties you
can face. Go out, make friends, eat food, travel, it’s fun. And it's relatively cheaper [here in
China]. Chinese people are kind and helpful, so don’t be afraid!
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