编者按：北京大学与牛津大学同属研究型大学联盟（International Alliance of Research Universities, IARU）成员。近年来，北京大学人口研究所与牛津大学人口老龄化研究所曾多次围绕前沿方法、教学研究、师生互访以及期刊合作等展开较好的实质性合作。北京大学人口研究所与牛津大学人口老龄化研究所学生国际交流项目旨在为北京大学在校学生创造更多国际学术交流机会，促进老年学多学科交叉研究水平，提高人才培养质量。落实《中共中央国务院关于加强新时代老龄工作的意见》中关于加强老龄学科专业建设与人才培养的要求，培养具有广阔国际视野、系统专业知识和扎实跨学科研究能力的高端创新人才，服务于积极应对人口老龄化和健康中国2030战略目标。
这是“北京大学人口研究所-牛津大学人口老龄化研究所学生国际交流项目”在英国牛津度过的第3个春节。2025年的1月，正值中国的新年，项目负责人陈功教授在此期间也专程赴牛津看望参与交流的师生，共进年夜饭，欢聚一堂。此外，他还与Sarah Harper教授等深度交流。我们在所里举办了庆祝派对，享用了丰盛的晚餐，共同度过了一个难忘的春节。
This marks the third Spring Festival that the "Peking University Institute of Population Research - Oxford Institute of Population Ageing Student International Exchange Program" has celebrated in Oxford, UK. In January 2025, during the Chinese New Year, Professor Chen Gong, the program director, made a special visit to Oxford to meet with the participating faculty and students, sharing a reunion dinner together. He also engaged in in-depth discussions with Professor Sarah Harper and others. We held a celebratory party at the institute, enjoyed a delicious feast, and spent an unforgettable Spring Festival together.
PKU Student Exchange Program: Insights from Oxford Institute of Population Ageing – December 2024
Dear Students and Colleagues,
Welcome to this special edition of our newsletter, featuring stories and experiences from PKU students during their visit to the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. Dive into their reflections on academic life, cultural experiences, and personal growth.
A Day in the Life
[Ping Chen]
" From 2024 to 2025, life has no clear boundaries, but progress happens every day."
[Niuniu Cui]
“In the new year, there are still new experiences and moments of inspiration to be found in daily life. Though January was somewhat uneventful, it was still fulfilling and had a rhythmic flow. Most of my daytime was spent reading literature and writing papers, and the academic exchanges with my professors and peers were full of insights and challenges. Every time ideas from different disciplines collide, I often feel a surge of inspiration, driven by the motivation to explore new knowledge and dive deeper into thinking.
Although academic pressure is ever-present, the cultural atmosphere at Oxford makes everything more vibrant. In the afternoons, I enjoy strolling through the campus greens or visiting nearby cafés to chat with friends. I also occasionally attend academic lectures and social events, engaging in a clash of diverse ideas. Each day, it seems, I draw new inspiration and strength from these experiences, and this sense of fulfillment adds momentum to my academic journey.”
[Bin Guo]
“The first two weeks of January were the New Year's holiday, spent mainly in the library working on my doctoral dissertation. The second two weeks ushered in the new semester, which consisted of reading, sharing and lecture classes, many of which were interdisciplinary, challenging and novel. Meanwhile, Prof. Chen came to Oxford to study and work with us, which brought us a lot of warmth.”
[Jiamin Shao]
“The new semester has begun, and we are back to attending in-person classes at the institute. This term, our courses include reading courses, as well as student presentations and research sharing by faculty members. We need to complete the assigned readings in advance and learn to think critically. After class, I usually study in the library or a café before heading home to cook dinner.”
[Yisong Wang]
"Mornings are dedicated to global ageing policy workshops with leading scholars—intense but inspiring. Afternoons shift to collaborative research at the Oxford Ageing Lab, where theory meets innovation."
[Yue Wei]
"Today is the last day of the Year of the Dragon, and as usual, we came to the institute for class. Unlike last semester, this term we have a weekly reading course on Tuesdays. The institute provided us with a reading list in advance, with most topics related to characteristics and development within animal groups.
In this week's reading, 152 species were classified into four categories based on their level of socialization. The study found that the higher the degree of socialization in animals, the longer their lifespan, the greater the intergenerational time, and the higher their reproductive success.
The reading class was originally scheduled to end at 4 PM, which happened to coincide with the New Year's countdown in China. We wrapped up five minutes early and projected the Spring Festival Gala onto the big screen to count down to the New Year together. Sitting in the corner of the classroom, I saw my teachers and classmates cheering around me, while messages of New Year’s blessings from family and friends popped up on WeChat. For a moment, my eyes welled up with tears.
This was my second time celebrating the New Year away from my parents, but I felt incredibly lucky to be surrounded by love. In the evening, we were invited by Professor Chen Gong to have hotpot together. Celebrating the New Year with everyone in a foreign land was truly a special life experience."
[Guilan Xie]
"This month we have looked at articles at the intersection of ecology and sociology, with one review highlighting the use of wildlife data in combination with social network approaches to uncover the links between aging, population age structure and social functioning, and another study exploring the relationship between sociality and longevity, fertility window, etc. among different populations, based on publicly available data from multiple species. It embodies the unique advantage of interdisciplinary research. It is of great significance for future social studies to study the structure and evolution of human society by using ecological methods for reference."
Academic Insights
[Ping Chen]
" The academic atmosphere in the new year has become even more enriching. Listening to the professors in the institute talk about their research has shown me more academic possibilities. Our weekly literature discussions have also broadened our academic horizons."
[Niuniu Cui]
"In January, I attended a lecture on asset mapping, which provided me with many new academic insights. As a sociological method, asset mapping emphasizes identifying and utilizing the inherent resources and potential of communities or individuals, rather than solely focusing on their needs or challenges. During the lecture, Dr. Kate, a researcher from the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, explained the theoretical foundations and practical applications of asset mapping. She illustrated the importance of this method in community development through four case studies from nearby communities around Oxford.
What particularly inspired me was that asset mapping is not just a tool, but a way of thinking that helps us reconsider the abilities and resources of individuals and groups. In many sociological studies, traditional needs-based approaches often overlook the strengths within the community. Asset mapping, on the other hand, advocates for discovering and enhancing these existing resources to promote social and individual self-development. Through various case analyses, the lecture showed how asset mapping helps community organizations identify and effectively utilize the capabilities of community members, thereby driving social change and local development.
The application of this method, particularly in supporting disadvantage and vulnerable groups, holds profound significance. In my own research, understanding and utilizing the resources of social members, especially the potential of vulnerable groups, offers crucial insights for my future research direction. This lecture not only broadened my academic perspective but also prompted deeper reflection on how to integrate theory with practice and explore new ways to promote social justice and enhance human well-being.”
[Bin Guo]
“In late January, Dr. KangNing and I completed a debriefing on the literature on animal demography under Kate's supervision. This literature study debriefing enriched my research vision and language skills.”
[Jiamin Shao]
“This semester’s courses require us to prepare beforehand, which makes understanding the lectures easier and has also helped improve my English to some extent. The Q&A and discussion sessions following the speakers' presentations have deepened my understanding of their research.”
[Yisong Wang]
"The recent seminars discuss asset mapping in Oxfordshire. Under the EPIC Networks project, the research focuses on building community connections for healthy ageing. With use of geospatial mapping assets are mapped to community, integrating inputs from medical statistics, health economics, sociology and geographic as well. This interdisciplinary approach highlights how asset mapping can identify resource gaps and foster equitable ageing infrastructure. By layering data on elderly population density, healthcare access, and transportation networks, the research uncovered ‘care deserts’ in certain areas like Cutteslowe and Eynsham. These communities, historically neglected due to a lack of post-WWII corporate investment, face compounded health risks from economic isolation.
By tracking residents’ mobility patterns this research defined distinct community boundaries and assessed the quality and quantity of local infrastructure. This result shows policy supported communities enjoyed robust ageing resources, while neighboring areas just a street away might struggle with shortages This seminar reinforced the importance of understanding spatial economics and ageing policy. The researchers innovative use of geo-spatial methods to understand lived experiences of place has been greatly inspiring. I plan to use GIS to model ageing-support infrastructure systems in China.”
[Yue Wei]
"After three months of preparation, I have completed a preliminary draft of an English manuscript on the burden of dementia in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. I also presented my current research findings in class, where I received valuable feedback and suggestions from my peers. I will continue to refine the paper and aim to submit it to my target journal within the next two weeks."
[Guilan Xie]
"The content of this month's seminar focuses on the social expectations and technological participation of the elderly, and the identification of county-level care resources for the elderly. The allocation of care resources at the county level is crucial to the well-being of the elderly. Compared with the city, the elderly service system in the county area often faces the problem of insufficient resources and unequal distribution. Therefore, how to accurately identify the needs of the elderly group, optimize existing resources, and promote the cooperation of multiple subjects is the key to improving the quality of county-level care. In the future, it is necessary to further explore policy innovation and social support mechanisms, promote technology to benefit the elderly group, and optimize the supply of elderly care resources to better meet the needs of the aging society."
Cultural Exchange Experiences
[Ping Chen]
"We had a New Year party! The quiz about Peking University and Oxford ignited the whole room—it was an absolute blast! Events like this truly make for great exchanges!"
[Niuniu Cui]
"In January, I traveled to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, and other cities. I immersed myself in this ancient and tranquil land, experiencing its rich historical atmosphere and breathtaking natural scenery. Every step felt like a journey through time. Unlike England, Scotland has a stronger sense of history and legend. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, not only boasts a majestic castle and a long history but also exudes a unique cultural atmosphere, with streets and alleys echoing ancient tales. The vast mountains, pristine lakes, and stunning landscapes of the Highlands made me feel as if I were stepping into a serene painting, offering great solace to my soul.
After returning to Oxford, I celebrated the Chinese New Year with my professors and classmates. This gathering allowed us to feel the warmth and power of the Chinese festival, even in a foreign land. Despite being far from home, we came together to share the traditions and joys of the Spring Festival, dispelling the loneliness and enhancing the festive atmosphere. This gathering not only deepened the bonds between the faculty and students at Oxford but also made me understand the significance of cultural exchange more profoundly. Especially in a foreign environment, the festival became an emotional link, connecting us to our homeland and letting us feel the warmth from our mentors and peers.”
[Bin Guo]
"This year's Chinese New Year was spent in Oxford, where we experienced the Chinese New Year in a foreign country. We held a Chinese New Year Federation with our teachers and students, watched the Spring Festival Gala together, shared Chinese food in Oxford and introduced the Chinese New Year culture to our foreign friends.”
[Jiamin Shao]
“This month coincided with the Chinese New Year—the first one since it was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Professor Chen also came to Oxford to celebrate with us. We hosted a festive party with trivia games, a lively round of Pictionary, and a delicious feast.”
[Yisong Wang]
"During a dedicated cultural exchange meeting on Jan 30, Chinese visitors introduced OIPA faculty and peers to China’s 24 Solar Terms （二十四节气）-explaining their agricultural roots and poetic names like ‘Awakening of Insects’ （惊蛰）and ‘Grain in Ear’ （芒种）. Similarly, OIPA members introduce us to the historical and cultural anicedotes in Oxford and in the UK. These exchanges reminded us of the community we are all in with a shared future for mankind.”
[Yue Wei]
"On the second day of the Lunar New Year, we hosted a New Year party where everyone participated in a quiz competition to learn more about the University of Oxford, Peking University, as well as the traditional culture and history of both the UK and China."
[Guilan Xie]
"Spending Chinese New Year in the UK is both a familiar and new experience. Although far from home, but the London Chinatown lights and decorations, and teachers and students together to watch the Spring Festival Gala, New Year's Eve, eat New Year's Eve dinner, still can feel the thick festive atmosphere, feel the warmth of home. At the same time, the Spring Festival has also become an opportunity for cultural exchanges, allowing more people with different cultural backgrounds to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture."
Challenges and Personal Growth
[Ping Chen]
"On every day when my graduation thesis remains unfinished, a part of my heart feels emotionless."
[Niuniu Cui]
“The brave enjoy life first!”
[Bin Guo]
"There are still some challenges in communicating with people in English to have an in-depth discussion.
[Jiamin Shao]
“Delivering presentations in English has been a major challenge for me, and I am working hard to overcome it. However, my biggest growth has been in daily life—I have learned to take better care of myself and become more independent.”
[Yisong Wang]
"One of the biggest hurdles I faced was narrowing down a research topic. With so many fascinating areas in ageing studies—from policy to fundings—it was overwhelming to choose just one. Overcoming the challenge is a must for my academic focus."
[Yue Wei]
"As life and studies gradually fall into rhythm, I have gained new experiences and insights. I’ve realized that I struggle with making effective use of fragmented time—whether it’s reading literature or writing papers, I tend to require long, uninterrupted periods to complete tasks. In the next two months, I hope to improve my ability to utilize shorter time slots by breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable goals and completing them step by step."
[Guilan Xie]
"This is my first contact with ecological research. At the beginning, I felt at a loss. It was difficult to clarify the context of the article and grasp the meaning of the article. Different disciplines such as public health, social science and ecology have different analysis methods and research paradigms, so it is still necessary to further think about how to integrate the research methods of different disciplines and find the intersection of different disciplines in theory. Such cross-research can not only promote academic innovation and provide new ideas for solving practical problems, but also let me learn how to find a balance between theories and methods of different disciplines."
北大学生交流项目：牛津人口老龄化研究所的见闻 – 2025年1月
亲爱的同学们和同事们，
欢迎阅读本期特别简报，内容为北大学生在访问牛津人口老龄化研究所期间的故事和经历。让我们一起看看他们对学术生活、文化体验和个人成长的反思。
一天的生活
陈平：
“从2024来到了2025年，生活没有明显的边界线，但进步每一天在发生。”
崔牛牛：
“新的一年，仍然可以在日常生活中寻找新的体验与感动。一月份的生活虽有些平淡，但还是充实而富有节奏感。白天的时间大多用于阅读文献以及撰写论文，与导师和同学们的学术交流也充满了启发和挑战，每当不同学科的想法产生碰撞，我常感到灵感涌现，探索新知识的动力驱动着我不断深入思考。
尽管学术压力时常笼罩，但牛津的文化氛围让一切变得更为丰富多彩。午后，我喜欢漫步在校园的绿地或去附近的咖啡馆与朋友交流，偶尔也参加学术讲座和社交活动，感受多元的思想碰撞。每一天，似乎都能从中汲取新的灵感和力量，这份充实感为我的学术之路增添了动力。”
郭彬：
“一月的前两周是新年假期，主要时间是在图书馆写博士论文。后两周迎来了新学期，新的学期有阅读课、分享课、讲座课等内容组成，许多内容都是跨学科的，具有挑战性和新颖性。同时，陈教授也来到了牛津，和我们一起学习工作，给我们带来了很多温暖。”
邵嘉敏：
“新的学期开始了，我们又恢复了去所里参加课程的日子。这个学期的课程有批判性思考的阅读课，以及我们学生的分享和所里老师们的研究分享。我们要提前进行文献阅读，学会思考。课程结束后，我一般会图书馆或咖啡馆自习，然后回家自己做饭。”
王奕松：
“上午，我参加由顶尖学者主持的全球老龄化政策研讨会，内容紧凑却充满启发。下午则转入研究，与导师一起开展协作研究。”
魏玥：
“今天是龙年的最后一天，我们像往常一样来到所里上课。和上学期不同，这学期每周二有一门阅读课，所里提前给大家准备了阅读清单，主题大多与动物群体中的特征和发展相关。在本周阅读的文章中，根据动物社会化的程度高低，将152个物种分为4类。研究发现动物的社会化程度越高，寿命时间更长，代际时间延长，繁衍的概率也随之提高。阅读课原本在下午4点结束，正好是国内跨年的时间点，我们提前5分钟结束了课程，将春晚投影到大屏幕上，一起倒数跨年。坐在教室角落的我看到身边老师同学们的欢呼，还有微信中传来的家人朋友的新年祝福，有一瞬间红了眼眶。这是第2次没有守在父母身边过年，但很幸运大家的爱依然包围着我。晚上，我们在陈功老师的邀请下，一起吃了顿火锅，异国他乡和大家一起过新年真的是非常特别的人生体验。”
谢桂兰：
“这是我第一次接触生态学研究，一开始感觉无所适从，难以理清文章的脉络，把握文章内容所表达的意思。公共卫生、社会科学、生态学等不同学科具有不同的分析方法和研究范式，仍需要进一步思考如何整合不同学科的研究方法，在理论上找到不同学科的交汇点。这种交叉研究不仅能推动学术创新，对实际问题的解决提供新的思路，同时也让我学会了如何在不同学科的理论和方法之间寻找平衡。”
学术见解
陈平：
“新年的学术氛围更加浓郁了，听所里的老师讲述他们的研究，让我看到了更多的学术可能，每周一次的文献讨论也让我们都打开了学术视野。”
崔牛牛：
“在一月的学术活动中，我参加了一场关于资产映射（asset mapping）的讲座，这次讲座给我带来了许多新的学术见解。资产映射作为一种社会学方法，强调识别和利用社区或个体的内在资源和潜力，而非仅仅聚焦于其需求或困境。讲座中，牛津老年所的研究员Kate女士详细讲解了资产映射的理论基础和实践应用，通过临近牛津的四个实践社区案例中来阐述资产映射方法在社区发展领域中的重要性。
我深受启发的是，资产映射不仅仅是一个工具，更是一种思维方式，能够帮助我们重新审视个体和群体的能力与资源。在很多社会学研究中，传统的需求导向方法常常忽略了社区自身的力量，而资产映射则提倡通过发现和强化这些已有的资源，促进社会和个体的自我发展。讲座中通过多个案例分析，展示了资产映射如何帮助社区组织发现并有效利用社区成员的能力，从而推动社会变革和地方发展。
这种方法的应用，尤其是在贫困和边缘群体的支持中，具有深远的意义。在我的研究中，如何更好地理解和利用社会成员的资源，尤其是弱势群体的潜力，对我未来研究方向具有很重要的提示作用。这场讲座不仅拓宽了我的学术视野，也让我更加深刻地思考如何将理论与实践相结合，寻找促进社会公平和提升人类福祉的新途径。”
郭彬：
“在一月下旬，我和康宁博士在Kate的指导下完成了一次关于动物人口学方面文献的汇报，这次文献学习汇报，丰富了我的研究视野和语言能力。”
邵嘉敏：
“这个学期的课程会让我们提前准备，在听起来的时候困难降低了，当然也感觉自己的英文有一些提高了。讲者分享后的提问交流环节，让我对他们的研究有了更深刻了解。”
王奕松：
“研讨会展示了地理信息系统（GIS）如何将数据可视化。通过将牛津郡的老龄人口密度、医疗资源分布和交通网络整合到GIS平台上，牛津大学的研究人员揭示了发达国家老龄化基础设施的空间不平等。例如，再英国牛津郡附近城镇Cutteslowe, Eynsham等社区，因为历史原因，在二战后始终缺少企业开发，形成了‘投资荒漠’，经济隔离进一步加剧了健康风险。研究通过追踪居民行动范围，划定了相对独立的社区范畴，并计算了每个社区内基础设施和福利设施的数量与质量。研究发现，在获得政策支持的社区，定向资助有效重塑了老龄化基础设施，确保了资源覆盖；而仅一街之隔的其他社区却出现了资源短缺的问题。这一方法为我提供了新的思路，我计划将GIS应用于中国老龄化基础设施的研究中，以应对类似的挑战。”
魏玥：
“经过了三个月的筹备工作，我初步完成了一篇英文文献，主题是一带一路国家的痴呆症疾病负担，并且在课堂上给大家展示了目前得到的研究结果，大家也给我提供了很多参考性的意见，我会继续完善这篇文章，争取在半个月内投稿到目标刊物。”
谢桂兰：
“本月研讨会的内容主要聚焦于老年人的社会期望和技术参与、老年人县级照护资源的识别。县级层面的照护资源配置对老年人福祉至关重要。相比于城市，县域地区的养老服务体系往往面临资源不足、分布不均等问题。因此，如何精准识别老年人群体的需求，优化现有资源，并推动多元主体协同合作，是提升县级照护质量的关键。未来需要进一步探索政策创新和社会支持机制，促进技术普惠老年群体，同时优化养老资源的供给方式，以更好地满足老龄社会的需求。”
文化交流体验
陈平：
“新年我们进行了新年party！关于北大和牛津的小测验燃爆了全场，这样的交流活动真的很棒！”
崔牛牛：
“一月我去了苏格兰旅行，游览了爱丁堡和苏格兰高地以及其他苏格兰的城市，沉浸在这片古老而宁静的土地上，感受着浓厚的历史氛围和自然的壮丽景色。每一步都仿佛穿越时光。不同于英格兰，苏格兰更具历史感和传奇感，爱丁堡作为苏格兰的首府，不仅拥有雄伟的城堡和悠久的历史，还弥漫着一种独特的文化气息，街头巷尾充满了古老传说的回响。而高地的广袤山川，纯净的湖泊和壮丽的风景，让人仿佛置身于一幅宁静的画卷，心灵也得到了极大的慰藉。
回到牛津后，我与老师和同学们一起庆祝了春节，这场聚会让我们在异国他乡也能够感受到中国节日的温暖与力量。尽管身处远离故土的地方，大家聚在一起，共同分享春节的传统与美好，驱散了孤独，增添了浓浓的节日气氛。通过这次聚会，不仅加深了与牛津的师生之间的情谊，也让我更深刻地理解了文化交流的意义，尤其是在异乡的环境中，节日成为了情感的纽带，连接了我们与家乡的情感，也让我们感受到来自师长和同袍的温暖。”
郭彬：
“今年的中国新年是在牛津度过的，这里体验了异国的春节，和所里的老师和同学举行了春节联合会，一起看了春晚跨年环节，一起分享了牛津的中国美食，也向外国朋友介绍了中国的春节文化。”
邵嘉敏：
“这个月，恰逢中国的春节。这是中国春节申遗后第一个春节。陈老师也来到了牛津和我们一起过节，我们举办了一个庆祝派对，进行了趣味问答，你画我猜的小游戏，并且享用了一顿丰盛的晚餐。”
王奕松：
“在1/30一场文化交流会议上，中国访问学者向牛津人口老龄化研究所（OIPA）的师生介绍了中国的二十四节气，OIPA的研究人员也向我们介绍了牛津和英国的历史文化趣闻。这些交流让我们深刻意识到，我们同处于一个人类命运共同体中，拥有共同的未来。”
魏玥：
“大年初二，我们举办了一场新年派对，大家通过知识竞赛的方式，了解了牛津大学、北京大学，以及英国和中国的传统文化和历史。”
谢桂兰：
“在英国过春节是一种既熟悉又新鲜的体验。虽然远离家乡，但伦敦唐人街张灯结彩，和老师和同学们一起看春晚、跨年、吃年夜饭，依然能感受到浓浓的节日氛围，感到家一般的温暖。同时，春节也成为了文化交流的契机，让更多不同文化背景的人加深对中国文化的理解。”
挑战与个人成长
陈平：
“在每一个没有写完毕业论文的日子里，我的心都有一部分是没有感情的。”
崔牛牛：
“勇敢的人先享受人生！”
郭彬：
“用英语和大家进行深入的交流探讨还存在一定挑战。”
邵嘉敏：
“用英语进行汇报对我来说仍然是一个重大的挑战，正在努力克服中。最大的成长，还是在生活方面，学会了更好地照顾自己，更独立了。”
王奕松：
“我面临的最大挑战之一，就是如何在人口老龄化研究这一广袤的领域中缩小我的研究课题范围。从政策制定到资金支持，每一个细分领域都充满了引人入胜的研究点，让我在选择时感到无所适从。克服这一挑战，对于明确我的学术重点和研究方向来说至关重要。”
魏玥：
“随着生活和学习步入正轨，我收获了不一样的体验，我发现自己利用碎片化时间的能力很弱，无论是阅读文献还是撰写论文，都需要大量连续的时间来完成任务。希望自己在未来的两个月，可以提高利用碎片时间的能力，把大任务拆解成小目标，一步一步完成。”
谢桂兰：
“这是我第一次接触生态学研究，一开始感觉无所适从，难以理清文章的脉络，把握文章内容所表达的意思。公共卫生、社会科学、生态学等不同学科具有不同的分析方法和研究范式，仍需要进一步思考如何整合不同学科的研究方法，在理论上找到不同学科的交汇点。这种交叉研究不仅能推动学术创新，对实际问题的解决提供新的思路，同时也让我学会了如何在不同学科的理论和方法之间寻找平衡。”
