Young China Watchers & Lau China Institute essay competition 2024
*** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER ***
The Lau China Institute together with Young China Watchers welcomes submissions to our annual writing competition. This year’s theme is “Whither the China Model: the economic, developmental and social challenges facing China today”. The competition aims to discover and showcase the newest young writing talent on China in the UK. We want to help foster the next generation of experts on China by providing a platform for young people to be heard.
We invite young China scholars from all backgrounds to apply. To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years or under and living in the UK (UK and non-UK residents with a registered UK bank account will be eligible).
Competition winners will be announced at this year’s China Week hosted by the Lau China Institute, King’s College London from 14 to 18 October.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS – Terms & Conditions
We invite authors to submit short essays exploring China’s economy and economic, social and development challenges.
Examples of topics that authors may like to examine include:
(1) China’s economic growth
● The China Model
● Prospects for the macroeconomy (employment, inflation, growth)
● Strategic sectors (e.g. property, tech, semiconductors)
● “Dual circulation” / “Common prosperity”
● “Climbing the value chain” and the role of science and innovation
● Net zero, clean growth and the environment
(2) Developmental and social challenges
● Rural-urban divide, internal migration
● Inequality
● Infrastructure (i.e. at home and abroad)
● The role of provincial governments
● Public services (e.g. health, education, transport)
● Demographics (e.g. ageing population)
● Housing / property crisis
● Youth unemployment
Please note, the above list is not exhaustive. Submissions will be accepted on additional topics so long as they relate directly to the theme.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
● Plagiarism: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Submissions must be written by the author listed as the submitter.
● Original work: Essays must be the original work of the participant. The use of AI is not permitted. Essays must be your own ideas, analysis and expression.
● Past applicants: Entrants who have submitted essays to prior competitions are welcome to re-enter, provided that they were not winners or runners-up.
ELIGIBILITY
● Applicants must be aged 35 years or younger on the day of the deadline, living in the UK and have a UK bank account (proof will be required).
● Applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
● Competition entries must demonstrate a clear relevance to the theme. Entries that do not meet this will not be considered.
FORMAT GUIDELINES
● Word count: Articles should be up to 1,000 words (submissions longer than 1,000 words will not be accepted).
● Required format: short essays written in accessible language (for a lay audience) with the author’s original analysis and views presented on the given topic.
● Referencing: References will not be included in the word count and we strongly prefer that statistics, facts, publications, policies, and quotes mentioned within the article should be referenced through in-text hyperlinks to their primary sources. No bibliography or reference list is required.
● Name blind: All entries must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. In the document, please remove your name, affiliation or any personal information to ensure a blind review. Please include your full name and contact information in the email only.
JUDGING CRITERIA
● Submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel with senior representatives from the global board of Young China Watchers and academic experts from King’s College London.
● Entries will be assessed on a name-blind basis, focusing on writing style, research, analysis and originality. Essays should be well structured and supported by evidence or logical reasoning. Style of writing will be considered such as flow of ideas and relevance to the theme. Original thoughts and perspectives are greatly encouraged.
KEY DATES
● The competition will remain open for 5 weeks. Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm BST on Saturday 7th September 2024.
● All entries must be sent via email with your essay title in the subject line to: Lauessay@youngchinawatchers.com
● Winners will be informed in September, and officially announced during the Lau China Institute’s ‘China Week’ from 14-18 October 2023. The winner must be available to attend in-person, if possible.
PRIZES
● First prize: The winner will receive £300. The winning entry will be published on the YCW website and blog, and the author will be invited to present their topic at the YCW annual conference in 2025.
● Highly commended: Two highly commended entrants will receive £150 each and their entries will be published on the YCW website.
Due to a high volume of submissions, we regret that we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates. For any questions or queries, please contact:
Lauessay@youngchinawatchers.com