Meet Xinyi Zhao, a researcher that investigates how globalization and digital transformation reshape social inequalities, with a particular focus on gender, mobility, family life, and knowledge production.
What drew you to apply for the SweCSS Visiting Fellows Program, and how does it align with your research interests?
I was drawn to SweCSS because of its uniquely strong interdisciplinary environment and its openness to innovative computational approaches in the social sciences. I first became familiar with SweCSS through its weekly seminars, which I had followed online for several years. I was always inspired by how the seminars brought together different dimensions of social science to address important societal questions. When I learned about the Visiting Fellows Program, applying felt like a natural step without hesitation.
Because my work sits at the intersection of AI, digital data, and social inequality, SweCSS felt like the ideal place to exchange ideas with scholars working across sociology, computational methods, and social theory.
How would you describe your experience visiting Sweden? Was there anything about Swedish culture or life that surprised you?
My experience in Sweden has been both intellectually stimulating and personally refreshing. I have been especially impressed by the balance between academic rigor and openness in everyday interactions. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. One delightful surprise was how naturally fika is woven into academic life. I really enjoyed how these moments create space for informal conversations and spontaneous ideas alongside serious research discussions.
What is your favorite memory from your time at SweCSS or in Sweden?
I sometimes feel that I have a special connection with SweCSS, as this is now my third time visiting. My first two visits were for summer conferences, so experiencing Sweden in winter for the first time made this stay feel especially memorable. One of my favorite memories from this visit was meeting a SweCSS alum whom I had previously met in Norrköping, and then sharing a lovely fika together at Uppsala University. More broadly, every visit to SweCSS has been so rewarding.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your time at SweCSS?
The most rewarding aspect has been the opportunity to connect with researchers from different backgrounds who approach similar societal questions from new angles. These exchanges have helped me sharpen my own research ideas and opened up exciting possibilities for future collaborations.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the program?
I would strongly encourage them to apply, especially if they value interdisciplinary dialogue, and a collaborative academic environment. I am confident it would be an inspiring and deeply rewarding experience, both intellectually and personally.
