Transnationalism of recent ethnic Chinese scientists in the United States

I conducted in-depth interviews with a sample of Chinese American scientists (CASs) in academia and research institutes in order to explore the complexity and dynamics of their experiences in promoting science in China. This study adopts a migrant-centered transnational approach to examine CASs' transnational involvements from their perspectives. It focuses on the fluidity and intricacy of CASs' transnationalism as they participate in both American and Chinese science. It investigates the motivation of CASs for their transnational engagements and how they benefit from their transnational activities in Chinese science. Special attention is given to the interaction of their transnational identities, networks, and activities. This study concentrates on (1) how CASs negotiate between their Chinese ethnicity and American citizenship to foster their transnational identity; (2) how CASs actively cultivate and maintain transnational ties with both co-ethnics and non-ethnics to create a nurturing environment for their careers; and (3) how their transnational identities and networks come together in productive transnational activities to enable CASs to achieve a greater sense of agency and fulfillment. This research sheds light on how CASs' transnationalism is shaped by the internationalization of knowledge and technology, the global economy, and Chinese and American societies. The study provides insights into the integration of China into the global community through the mobility of Chinese talent between China and the US. This research illustrates that transnational professional immigrants are not the passive subjects either of their sending or receiving countries. Instead, CASs are important global actors who move freely between nations to advance their careers in different economic, social, and cultural systems. In short, CASs' transnationalism enables them to take advantage of better opportunities in this age of globalization.