Startup seeks to bridge the gap between Chinese and Western scholars
While the number of Chinese scholars is expanding both in absolute terms and as a percentage of authors in high-impact scientific journals, Chinese researchers still find it difficult to make their interests and expertise known to western colleagues.
Recently launched, the Anianet professional network aims to reduce the barriers separating Chinese researchers from their counterparts in the United States and Europe. Anianet allows scholars to create free English-language profiles detailing their professional accomplishments in a format that is optimized for a Western audience. The platform also provides useful information detailing western grants, research partnerships, jobs, fellowships, meetings, publications, and other opportunities. More than 80% of those surveyed by Anianet are not satisfied with the visibility of their research and writing among their European and American colleagues. An equal number would like to be more knowledgeable about western research trends and opportunities.
With statements of support from a number of prominent organizations, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Biochemical Society, and the Institute of Physics, Anianet launched in preview mode late this summer, and already thousands of Chinese scholars— in fields ranging from architectural design to zoology— have created Anianet profiles. “Anianet is a valuable resource that helps me connect to the international research community in a new and important way,” says Dr. Lianwen Jin, Dean of the Department of Information Engineering at South China University of Technology.
“We are already seeing how a vibrant English-language professional network can help Chinese scholars connect with western collaborators, get published in top journals, and become more tightly entwined with their international research communities,” says Anianet founder and CEO Greg Tananbaum. “On the western side, Anianet is emerging as a go-to resource to better understand who is who in the Chinese scientific space.”
Tananbaum, with several years experience in the education sector, commented on his motivations for establishing Anianet. “Publishers, information providers, technology companies, libraries - they all were interested in China as both a consumer and producer of content. None had developed a definitive strategy, and none felt comfortable about how to reach individual Chinese scholars.”
To learn more about Anianet, click here.
