HERA 2026 Brings Global Scholars to Beijing for Dialogue on Asian Higher Education

The Higher Education Research Association (HERA) convened its 2026 annual conference in Beijing on June 13 and 14, drawing academics, policymakers, and doctoral researchers from across Asia and beyond. Hosted jointly by the Graduate School of Education at Peking University and the School of Education at Tsinghua University, the event focused on the theme Asian Higher Education in a Changing Global Context. With no registration fee, the gathering emphasized accessibility and open scholarly exchange at a pivotal moment for universities navigating geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and sustainability demands.

Beijing served as an apt setting, underscoring China's growing centrality in global higher education discussions. Top institutions like Peking University and Tsinghua University, long recognized for their research output and international partnerships, provided venues that highlighted both tradition and forward-looking innovation in the sector.

Background and Significance of the HERA Conference Series

HERA has established itself as a key platform for higher education research with a particular emphasis on Asian perspectives. The association facilitates dialogue among scholars examining how universities in the region are evolving amid broader global shifts. The 2026 edition built on previous gatherings by centering Asia's distinctive contributions rather than positioning the region solely as a follower of Western models.

Conference organizers noted that Asian higher education systems have expanded dramatically in recent decades, moving from peripheral roles toward greater influence in knowledge production. This transformation occurs against a backdrop of converging pressures, including demographic changes, the push for sustainable development, and rapid advances in digital technologies such as generative artificial intelligence.

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Key Subthemes Driving Discussions

Five interconnected subthemes structured the program, encouraging theoretical, empirical, and policy-focused contributions. Higher Education and Sustainable Development explored how universities embed sustainability into curricula, research, and operations, drawing on Asian models for ecological transitions. Policy Dialogues and Regional Cooperation examined cross-border collaborations, student mobility, and efforts to build a more integrated Asian higher education community.

Doctoral Education and Innovation-Driven Talent Development addressed reforms in training programs, career pathways, and researcher well-being, with attention to how Asian approaches support regional prosperity. Digital Transformation and Tech Ethics considered AI integration, data privacy, and ethical responsibilities facing universities. A broader stream on Higher Education Transformation in a Changing World invited comparative global insights to enrich regional perspectives.

Notable Keynotes and Scholarly Contributions

Prominent voices shaped the intellectual tone. Professor Simon Marginson of the University of Oxford delivered a keynote addressing East Asian higher education within the evolving global order, drawing on themes from his recent work on geopolitics and common goods in higher education. His remarks underscored the shift from hegemony toward multipolarity and the need for approaches that respect cultural plurality while advancing shared values.

Other presentations included insights from Professor Joshua Mok on doctoral talent development and the challenges of establishing Asia as an education hub. Panels and papers covered topics ranging from transnational education policies to the ethical deployment of AI in teaching and research. The concurrent Young Scholar and Doctoral Student Forum, co-hosted with Tsinghua's doctoral student event, provided dedicated space for emerging researchers.

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Implications for Chinese and Asian Universities

For institutions in China, the conference reinforced ongoing priorities around internationalization balanced with national development goals. Peking University and Tsinghua University, as hosts, exemplified how leading Chinese universities are positioning themselves as conveners of regional dialogue. Discussions highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation across Asia while acknowledging tensions arising from global competition and shifting alliances.

Broader implications touched on talent pipelines, with emphasis on innovation-driven doctoral training to meet economic and technological demands. Sustainability emerged as both a research priority and an operational imperative, aligning with national strategies in China and neighboring countries. Digital ethics sessions addressed practical concerns about equity and privacy as universities accelerate AI adoption.

Future Outlook and Opportunities for Collaboration

Looking ahead, HERA 2026 signaled continued momentum for Asian higher education scholarship. Selected papers may appear in special issues of journals such as the International Journal of Chinese Education, extending the conference's reach. Organizers encouraged ongoing engagement through the association's networks.

The event also pointed toward practical next steps: strengthened regional qualification recognition frameworks, joint research initiatives on shared challenges like climate and technology governance, and expanded support for early-career researchers. As Asian systems continue to mature, platforms like HERA provide essential spaces for reflecting on distinctive pathways while contributing to global conversations.

Participants left with renewed appreciation for the complexities facing universities and optimism about collaborative solutions. The free, in-person format in Beijing facilitated direct exchanges that virtual formats often cannot replicate, fostering connections likely to yield future partnerships.