Professor Guo Ke Leads Major NSSFC 2024 Project on International Communication

 

By Lv Yuhao

Translated by Suolang Yangzong

Professor Guo Ke, a distinguished scholar in international communication, has been approved to lead a major project under the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) for 2024. The project, titled Research on the Design of International Communication Effectiveness Evaluation System and Mechanism Construction, is a testament to his decades-long dedication to advancing China’s role in global discourse.

With over 30 years of academic research and teaching experience, Professor Guo serves as a Senior Professor and doctoral supervisor at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Renowned for his expertise in international communication, international news, and public opinion, he has become a leading figure in addressing challenges posed by the complicated and increasingly split narratives in global media. His work consistently bridges theory and practice, offering insights into strengthening China’s international voice.

The NSSFC project, led by Professor Guo, tackles one of the most pressing issues in international communication: the need for a robust, scientific system to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts. As global power dynamics shift, China faces both opportunities and challenges in effective international communication.

Professor Guo’s research seeks to address this complicated issue by developing a comprehensive evaluation system. This system will not only assess the impact of international communication but also provide actionable insights to enhance China’s capacity to project its narratives effectively, strengthen soft power, and expand its influence in global discourse.

The project will focus on four key objectives: First, constructing a Theoretical Framework, which entails defining the foundations of international communication effectiveness, identifying critical factors, and establishing a clear evaluation logic. Second, developing an Indicator System, which involves designing a systematic and feasible evaluation model that combines quantitative and qualitative methods. Third, validating the System, which means conducting empirical studies on key topics and scenarios to ensure the model’s effectiveness and adaptability. Last but not the least, optimizing Mechanisms, which calls for proposing strategies for improving communication outcomes and refining the system through continuous feedback and local innovation.

Professor Guo’s project integrates diverse academic methodologies, including historical research, quantitative analysis, case studies, and field surveys. By assembling a multidisciplinary team of experts in communication, political science, economics, and cross-cultural studies, he ensures that the research is both rigorous and comprehensive.

The project is expected to yield significant theoretical and practical contributions that may entail a groundbreaking evaluation framework tailored to China’s unique context, offering a scientific basis for assessing and enhancing international communication, empirical evidence and refined strategies to improve communication outcomes in real-world scenarios and a deeper integration of academic research with practical applications, providing policymakers with actionable tools to strengthen China’s global presence.