Chinese professor Yifei Shen: Danes eager to ask questions

Yifei Shen is an associate professor at Fudan University and is an invited guest researcher at the Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH). She is a co-teacher on the summer school course Gender and Body Dynamics.

Hilda Rømer Christensen, Department of Sociology caught up with her to ask about Danish classrooms and teaching for the University Post.

What is your impression of Danish students and Danish classroom situations – are there any differences to China?
Yifei Shen: “It is my impression that Danish students have extensive knowledge and broad visions. I appreciated the close interaction with students. They have been eager to ask questions and to give comments after class. Compared with Chinese students, Danish students seem more interactive and confident, e.g. when they gave presentations they seem very committed to the topic that they choose.”

Copenhagen – a lot like Shanghai

What is it that attracts you to the university and to Danish society at large in terms of gender and body dynamics?
Yifei Shen: “There is the high level of welfare which offers a good framework for gender equality. Danish society seems tolerant towards all kinds of outfits and there are a wide variety and diversity of body and gender styles.”

What puts you off or what do you wonder about?
Yifie Shen: “Danish women’s NGOs, that I have visited, worry about the future and that gender equality will decline. Yet Chinese feminists believe that Denmark still represents the high level of gender equality in the world.”

“In general I find that Copenhagen has a lot in common with Shanghai in various ways and that this is also a very good basis for future research co-operation.”

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

Do you have a good story? We would like to hear from you. In the meantime, like us on Facebook for features, guides and tips on upcoming events and follow us on Twitter for links to other Copenhagen academia news stories.