Bridging Borders: Navigating Open Scientific Collaboration with China

The American Council on Germany, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, and the University of Cologne New York Office cordially invite you to a breakfast briefing on “Bridging Borders: Navigating Open Scientific Collaboration with China” with Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of the DAAD and Rector of the University of Cologne, and Christopher Walker, Vice President for Studies and Analysis at the National Endowment for Democracy, moderated by Dr. Lily McElwee, Deputy Director and Fellow in the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee began his term as President of the DAAD on January 1, 2020. According to the association charter, the President represents the DAAD in all organization-related matters. He serves as the chairperson of the Executive Committee, prepares its deliberations and resolutions, and ensures their implementation. He also chairs the meeting of the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly. His responsibilities include appointing the Secretary-General following confirmation by the Executive Committee and supervising the organization’s management.

On October 1, 2023, Prof. Dr. Mukherjee took office as Rector of the University of Cologne. In cooperation with the other members of the Rectorate, he represents the university externally and is responsible for its management and strategic development. He chairs the Rectorate and the Senate and is the chief supervisor of the university’s scientific staff. He also defines the guidelines for the execution of the Rectorate’s tasks.

Prof. Dr. Mukherjee completed his studies in English, Biology, and Education at RWTH Aachen University in 1997. In 2000, he received his doctorate at the University of Bonn; he also completed his habilitation in 2003 and was awarded the venia legendi for English Philology.

Christopher Walker is Vice President for Studies and Analysis at the National Endowment for Democracy, an independent, nonprofit, grant-making foundation supporting freedom worldwide. Mr. Walker oversees the multidimensional department that is responsible for NED’s analytical and thought leadership efforts. Before joining the NED, he was Vice President for Strategy and Analysis at Freedom House. He has testified before legislative committees in the U.S. and abroad, appears frequently in the media, and frequently conducts briefings on critical issues relating to democratic development. He has been at the forefront of thought leadership on modern authoritarian influence on open political systems, including through the exertion of sharp power, a concept he and his colleagues developed.

Mr. Walker has also served as an Adjunct Professor of International Affairs at New York University. He holds a B.A. from Binghamton University and an M.A. from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Dr. Lily McElwee is the Deputy Director and Fellow in the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she researches Chinese foreign policy, U.S.-China relations, and EU-China relations. She is currently writing a book on the history of U.S. investment gatekeeping amid the rise of China as a strategy and policy fellow with the Smith Richardson Foundation. Dr. McElwee recently completed a fellowship with the American Council on Germany, where she researched European political debate on China, and she is a 2022–23 CSIS-USC U.S.-Korea nextgen scholar. She holds a D.Phil. in China studies, and an MS.c. from the University of Oxford, and a B.A. with honors in political science from Stanford University.