To enhance the research literacy of faculty and students, build systematic research capabilities, and guide the transition from academic paper writing to applying for vertical research projects, the Faculty of Innovation and Design at the City University of Macau recently invited Professor Zhou Bin for a special academic lecture. Professor Zhou, a Level 2 Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered a talk titled "From Academic Writing to Vertical Research Project Applications", attracting numerous faculty members and students dedicated to academic research.

Professor Zhou Bin holds prominent positions as the Director of the Center for Integration and Innovation of Chinese Calligraphy and Traditional Culture at Renmin University of China and the Director of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Calligraphy Culture. He was also selected for the Ministry of Education's "New Century Excellent Talents" program. During the lecture, Professor Zhou focused on the core path of "From Strategic Planning to Tactical Execution", providing a deep analysis of how to transform academic accumulation into advantages for project applications. Using his own series of results published in CSSCI source journals like Psychological Science—specifically regarding "The promoting effect of calligraphy practice on children's emotions and their regulation strategy development"—he vividly demonstrated how to utilize interdisciplinary empirical research methods ("Calligraphy + Psychology") to establish unique academic value. This approach leads the field of calligraphy psychology research and lays a solid foundation for project declarations.

Professor Zhou provided detailed professional guidance on the seven core contents of the project application form (anonymous review sheets), ranging from the historical review of the selected topic to the refinement of innovation points. Addressing common concerns regarding "application difficulties", Professor Zhou candidly analyzed the "luck factor" and "meeting review mechanisms" inherent in the review process. He advised researchers not to "persistently change the soup without changing the medicine" (rehashing old ideas), but rather to explore new perspectives within their areas of interest. Furthermore, he highlighted favorable policies for youth projects, such as the age limit extension to 35 years, adjustments to degree thresholds, and the inclination of project quotas, encouraging young scholars with doctoral degrees to seize these opportunities and apply boldly.

This lecture marks a significant measure by our Faculty to enhance research competitiveness and cultivate high-level academic talent. It not only provided a practical guide for transitioning from papers to projects but also guided faculty and students to align their personal academic interests with national research needs. It holds positive significance for promoting the transformation of the Faculty's research achievements and the construction of academic teams.

Author: Li Zhe