The internationalization of Chinese social sciences is explored through publication, collaboration, and citation trends in the fields of economics, education, and political science. Analysis of 8,962 Scopus-indexed publications from 2016 to 2020 highlights global impact, disciplinary silos, and “Westernization” in research practices.

As China rises as a global economic and technological superpower, its increasing prominence in international academic research has also become a subject of interest. While Chinese contributions to scientific fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology are widely acknowledged, the internationalization of social sciences in China has been comparatively underexplored. This study examines the evolving trends in the internationalization of Chinese social sciences, focusing on three key disciplines: economics, education, and political science. Drawing on a dataset of 8,962 Scopus-indexed publications from 2016 to 2020, the analysis explores patterns of publication, citation, and international collaboration within the context of China’s growing academic influence on the global stage.

The internationalization of Chinese social sciences can be understood through three interconnected dimensions: publication trends, collaboration networks, and citation practices. Over the past few decades, Chinese social science scholars have increasingly engaged with global research communities, yet these fields continue to grapple with challenges related to academic visibility, intellectual isolation, and tensions between domestic policy priorities and global academic standards.

Publication Trends and Disciplinary Dynamics

Among the three disciplines analyzed, economics stands out as the most internationally integrated, with Chinese scholars publishing in prominent global journals and collaborating extensively with international peers. This trend is particularly evident in the high citation rates and increasing visibility of Chinese economists in global academic circles. The discipline’s alignment with global research priorities, particularly in areas such as macroeconomics, international trade, and development economics, has facilitated stronger connections with leading international institutions and researchers.

In contrast, education and political science have shown more limited internationalization, with scholars often publishing in domestic Chinese journals or in international journals with a primary focus on China-specific issues. The publication landscape for Chinese education scholars is heavily shaped by national policy agendas, with research frequently oriented toward addressing China’s domestic educational needs, rather than contributing to broader global debates on educational theory and practice. This narrow focus limits the international influence of Chinese research in the field.

Political science remains the most insular of the three disciplines. Research in this area is often oriented around issues specific to China’s political system, domestic governance, and policy concerns. While the number of political science publications from China has been growing in global journals, these works typically address topics that are of more limited interest to global audiences, such as China’s domestic political landscape, the Chinese Communist Party’s policies, and state–society relations. As a result, Chinese political science scholars face challenges in gaining recognition within the global academic community, particularly in regions where political and social contexts differ significantly from those in China.

Citation Trends and Global Impact

Citation patterns offer another lens through which to examine the internationalization of Chinese social sciences. Economics leads the way in citation rates, with Chinese scholars in the field often cited by both domestic and international researchers. This high citation impact reflects the global relevance of their research, which addresses pressing issues such as economic growth, income inequality, and climate change, topics of wide interest across the academic community. The influence of Chinese economics research is further bolstered by the presence of Chinese scholars in key international institutions and journals, where they contribute to global discussions on economic policy and development.

Education and political science, however, show more modest citation trends, particularly in international contexts. Chinese researchers in education are frequently cited within China but have relatively low citation rates abroad, indicating that their work is less integrated into global scholarly debates. Similarly, in political science, while some research on China’s political system has gained international attention, most citations are by other Chinese scholars or scholars from other parts of Asia, rather than by Western or global researchers. This suggests that, despite increasing publication numbers, the global impact of Chinese research in education and political science remains constrained by its domestic focus.

Collaboration Networks and Geopolitical Influences

International collaboration is another critical dimension of the internationalization process. Research collaborations between Chinese scholars and those from other countries have expanded considerably over the past decade. However, the extent and nature of these collaborations vary significantly across disciplines.

In economics, Chinese scholars have established extensive international networks, collaborating with scholars from other Asian countries, Europe, and the United States. These collaborations have resulted in more coauthored papers in top-tier international journals and have enhanced the visibility of Chinese research globally.

However, Western institutions tend to play a dominant role in these collaboration networks due to the historical dominance of Western universities and journals in shaping global research agendas and standards. The widespread influence of English-language publishing and the prevalence of Western research funding have further contributed to the prominence of Western scholars in Chinese social science collaborations. This “Westernization” of Chinese social science research has led to a growing concern that Chinese social sciences will become overly influenced by Western academic traditions and methodologies, thus potentially leading to the loss of unique Chinese perspectives and the continued dominance of Western academic traditions and methodologies. This dynamic may contribute to the marginalization of Chinese scholarship that does not conform to Western norms, particularly in disciplines such as political science, where research that is more critical of Western ideologies may be less likely to find a place in international journals.

One possible source of hope is the fact that other disciplines, such as education and political science, tend to see more regional collaboration, particularly with other Asian countries. Chinese scholars in these fields often collaborate with researchers from neighboring countries with similar educational and political systems, such as Japan and South Korea. This can support the development of uniquely Asian social science. However, these collaborations, while valuable, do not offer the same level of global exposure as those in economics, which are more heavily concentrated in the Western academic world.

“International in Format, National in Essence”

One of the central findings of this study is the tension between the format and substance of Chinese social science research. While many Chinese scholars publish in internationally recognized journals and follow global academic conventions in terms of citation styles, structure, and research methodology, the content of their research often remains primarily focused on national issues and local contexts. This “international in format, national in essence” phenomenon reflects China’s ongoing efforts to modernize its academic institutions and align with global research standards, while still prioritizing domestic concerns that align with state-driven agendas.

In economics, this phenomenon is less pronounced. In contrast, education and political science are more deeply entrenched in national priorities, and their research often remains more oriented toward addressing domestic policy needs or contributing to understanding China’s unique political system.

Balancing Global Standards with Local Priorities

The internationalization of Chinese social sciences is a complex and evolving process that is shaped by a range of factors, including publication trends, citation patterns, collaboration networks, and geopolitical influences. The challenges they face reflect broader structural issues, such as the dominance of Western research paradigms, the prioritization of domestic agendas, and the limited scope of international collaborations.

As China continues to strengthen its position as a global research power, its social sciences must navigate a delicate balancing act, aligning with global academic standards while maintaining their unique intellectual traditions and contributing to global scholarly debates. This will require greater investment in fostering diverse and equitable academic collaborations, promoting intellectual exchange with non-Western countries, and addressing the barriers that currently hinder the international visibility of Chinese social sciences.

Márton Demeter is full professor at the department of social communication and head of the department for science strategy at the University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary. E-mail: [email protected].

Manuel Goyanes is associate professor of research methods at the Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain. E-mail: [email protected].

Gergő Háló is assistant professor at the National University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary. E-mail: [email protected].

Xin Xu is lecturer at the department of education of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and deputy director of the Centre for Skills, Knowledge, and Organisational Performance (SKOPE). E-mail: [email protected].

This article is based on Demeter, M., Goyanes, M., Háló, G., Xu, X. (2024). The Internationalisation of Chinese Social Sciences Research: Publication, Collaboration, and Citation Patterns in Economics, Education, and Political Science. An earlier version was published as a blog at https://srheblog.com/ on December 19, 2024.