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Explore the Unique Course Offerings of NYU Shanghai

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Maxine P

Students at NYU Shanghai live and study in one of the most innovative cities in the world. Shanghai, China’s largest city, is a global hub for business, technology, and art. Faculty at the top of their fields teach unique and varied courses across NYU Shanghai’s 19 majors and 23 minors, offering students numerous opportunities to engage with the city as they expand their knowledge and perspective.

The Future of Fashion and Technology

In the innovative NYU Shanghai course Interactive Fashion, Professor Marcela Godoy immerses students in the future of fashion and technology. Specifically, students learn to use computational design, digital fabrication, and soft robotics to create a garment that reflects societal issues. “Historically, what we wear has been used to express our identity and complex issues related to class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality,” says Godoy. “Now, technology allows us to see our clothing as an extension of our bodies.”

Outside the classroom, students engage with the fashion-forward city of Shanghai during trips to unique locations like the 3D Printing Culture Museum of China. At the end of each semester, students showcase their unique creations during a lively runway show.

Service Learning with Impact

Another dynamic course offered at NYU Shanghai is Language and Power with Professor Marcel Daniels. In this course students travel to centers across Shanghai to teach English to migrant communities. Through experiential learning, they explore the social, cultural, and political factors influencing language usage. At the same time, they use their own cultural and linguistic lenses to contextualize their experience. “This course allows students to perform meaningful service to an underserved population while immediately applying insights from the course content,” says Daniels.

Margaret Czarnik, a Social Science major at NYU Shanghai in the Class of 2026, describes Language and Power as her “most extraordinary educational experience.” The course pushed her outside her comfort zone and cultivated a tight-knit community among her classmates. “After a few lessons, I already felt like I was a part of something bigger,” Margaret says. “We were exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and giving each other advice.” In addition, Margaret uncovered her love of applied linguistics through this experience. “I became so passionate about this field that I presented my final project from the class at the Undergraduate Research Symposium,” she explains.

Movement as a Tool for Exploration, Creativity, and Expression

Students of all experience levels explore the craft of dance creation in Professor Yuting Zhao’s course Choreography and Performance. Throughout the semester, they practice dance combinations and improvisation while creating their own solo and collective works. “Students are invited to think beyond their intellectual world and use their body and movement as a way of understanding and exploring the world,” says Zhao.

For Tate Pan, an NYU Shanghai Class of 2024 graduate who double-majored in Neural Science and Social Science, the Choreography and Performance course was transformative. “Creating art often requires spaces—physical, emotional, and supportive—to move, express vulnerability, and transform it into strength,” says Tate. “This class offers all of that, organically. Despite never considering myself a dancer, this course welcomed me into the world of dance and choreography. It equipped me with tools to express myself creatively through movement.”

Shanghai as the Classroom

In Shanghai Architecture for Chinese Language Learners, Professor Beilei Gu uses Shanghai’s rich architectural heritage as a tool to improve students’ Chinese language skills. Through the class’s innovative integration of language learning and exploration, the vibrant city of Shanghai becomes the classroom.

“During biweekly city walks, students immerse themselves in the city’s architectural landscape,” Gu says. “Our explorations range from the historic elegance of the international area and the quaint old lanes of Yuyuan Road to the iconic skyscrapers of Qiantan and the architectural marvels of the Bund,” she continues. As a result, these experiences allow students to immerse themselves in the local culture and architecture, fostering a deeper connection with the city.

Look behind the scenes at these and several more innovative courses at NYU Shanghai in the video linked above.

Written by Olivia Richter

Student Spotlight: The NYU Prague Internship Experience

Posted on April 14, 2025, modified on April 14, 2025 by Maxine P

From film studios and media companies to nonprofits and local schools, students at NYU Prague intern at organizations throughout the dynamic city, gaining valuable real-world experience while undergoing total cultural immersion. Below, nine students who completed an internship while studying away at NYU Prague share their unique experiences.

Prague Elementary School

“I had an English teaching assistant internship at Londýnská Elementary School. It was my first time teaching young children, but the experience was very fun. It was interesting to see children’s processes of learning a new language and generally how different children behaved. And I loved when the students said “hi” and “bye” every class—they sounded really cute and always made my day.” —Riko Ehara, Gallatin School of Individualized Study Class of 2027

Institute of Documentary Film

“I was offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for the Institute of Documentary Film in Prague during my time studying abroad. While thrilled, I was simultaneously incredibly daunted at the idea of working for a well-established organization I knew very little about in a completely different country where I did not speak the language. And though my time at the Institute of Documentary Film is coming to an end, I am now confident that accepting my offer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. During my time working for the Institute, I primarily focused on public relations (PR) and digital design–related tasks for the company. Though they differed from week to week, my duties mostly included working with the PR team on designing programs for film festivals, making graphics and copy for social media, and redesigning different elements of the website. Though these tasks were mostly done at a desk, working for the behind-the-scenes side of an institution like the Institute of Documentary Film has opened my eyes to a whole new world of what it takes to host a festival, which I have become extremely passionate about. It was an excellent catalyst in my future aspirations to work in the film industry.” —Ainsley Hayes, College of Arts and Science Class of 2026

“During my internship, I had the opportunity to discover emerging filmmakers from around the world. With access to the Institute’s database, I was able to explore stories of resilience from individuals who often lack a mainstream platform. It was a rewarding experience to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of a film festival, particularly the curatorial process.” —Antonia Mendez, Gallatin Class of 2026

“I interned this semester and it was a cool experience. It was challenging to balance being in the film program and trying to give as much time as I could to helping them do outreach and calls for projects, but it was a valuable look into the entertainment industry outside of the States and the organization of an incubator-like series. They screen some really cool documentaries from all over Central Europe.” —Abigail Sun, Tisch School of the Arts Class of 2026

Organization for Aid to Refugees

“Helping out with the Organization for Aid to Refugees was nothing short of a fulfilling and awe-inspiring experience. I gained so much from the children at the organization and from the staff, who consistently exuded warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm throughout my time with them. Most of the children don’t speak English, but I can attest that a language barrier is insignificant when there are so many other ways to communicate and interact with each other that transcend words. From helping out at holiday events to after-school activities, this experience was extremely unique and meaningful—something I will hold onto forever.” —Katie Groome, College of Arts and Science Class of 2026

A blond woman, seated at a desk, smiles at the camera with computer screens and speakers behind her

Camden working in-studio at her sound design internship

Sound Design Studio

“During my time in Prague, I interned with a Czech sound designer named Juraj Mravec at his new studio. I was able to edit sound effects for a professional British television show and learn about how sound design for video games functions. Meeting people in the audio postproduction industry abroad was amazing and I appreciate the program connecting me with my mentor!” —Camden Colquhoun, Tisch Class of 2026

Nancy Bishop Casting

“I interned with Nancy Bishop Casting, working on script coverage and researching actors for upcoming film projects. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the developmental process of the industry and experience a play reading at a local theatre.” —Keira Botjer, Tisch Class of 2026

Cinema Sounds and Secrets

“I worked as an episode editor for the Cinema Sounds and Secrets podcast. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the work, got good notes from my director, and got some good experience in dialogue editing!” —Sinan Gultekin, Tisch Class of 2026

Repurposed with permission from NYU Prague Blog.

Baedeker: NYU’s Global Canvas

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Maxine P

Baedeker magazine captured the essence of studying away at NYU’s global sites when it was first launched by students in 2007. After a few years of dormancy, Baedeker has come back strong after Stern Class of 2024 graduate Jonny Rothberg and College of Arts and Science graduate Class of 2024 Shuhe Ma revived the magazine in 2022. The publication now offers a vibrant, multifaceted platform for students, faculty, and alumni to chronicle their experiences abroad, connect with others, and immerse themselves in the spirit of exploration.

With print editions, digital storytelling, and global chapters, the magazine provides student contributors valuable professional experience. Based in New York City, it also has global chapters with their own print editions in Florence, London, Madrid, Paris, and Sydney, with plans to launch another in Abu Dhabi soon.

Shuhe Ma (left) and Jonny Rothberg (right)

For Jonny, Baedeker was a catalyst for his decision to study abroad in Florence, where he pursued adventure and embraced the magazine’s mission. “I spent as much time as possible backpacking, so I wasn’t as involved with Baedeker in Florence as I was in New York City,” he says. “But it was always this organism living in my brain, framing my photos for me, pushing me to collect more life essence to tell the staff back in New York City. I would not have done nearly as much or made nearly as many friends if it hadn’t been for Baedeker in the back of my mind.”

The publication’s unique structure—semi-independent chapters at several of NYU’s global sites—ensures that every edition reflects the diverse experiences of students across the world. Each chapter operates as both a creative hub and a supportive community for students adapting to new environments. There are many ways to get involved with the magazine, from submitting a story to helping organize a release party. Anyone in the NYU global network can find belonging and purpose in Baedeker’s collaborative spirit.

The magazine’s influence pushed Jonny in his academic life as well, inspiring him to take more writing and humanities courses to augment what he was learning in his Business major.

“When I started at Stern, I planned to surround myself with only business kids, celebrity finance professors, and the like,” he says. “I remember scorning the very concept of courses like Social Impact or Organizational Communication. Now? When someone asks me what my most important classes were, I would say those two classes.”

For Claire Sohn, a sophomore at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication, the magazine has been a professional springboard. “All of the writing and editorial work I did early on with Baedeker has helped me hone my storytelling skills immensely,” she says. “And I was actually able to get my first internship thanks to Baedeker. This past summer, I was a global brands marketing and publicity intern for Scholastic, and the part of my résumé that piqued my manager’s interest was my work as head of outreach for the magazine.”

Baedeker’s revival embodies the spirit of NYU’s global network—an interconnected community that celebrates exploration, creativity, and personal growth. By documenting the unique experience of studying abroad, the magazine serves as both a platform for storytelling and a bridge between NYU’s campuses and sites worldwide, connecting student experiences and broadening aspirations.

Driving Sustainability Across the Globe: Athena Thomas, NYU Abu Dhabi ’20

Posted on February 3, 2025, modified on February 3, 2025 by Maxine P

For decades NYU’s global network has inspired countless impactful careers as students broaden their perspective and gain international experience. As a senior consultant working on EY’s climate change and sustainability services team in Singapore, Athena Thomas, an NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2020 graduate, leverages the unique global experience she gained at NYU to help guide businesses toward a more sustainable future. “NYU was a life-changing experience,” Athena says, “and global education was a big part of that.” NYU’s global network gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in diverse cultures and ideas. During her time at NYU Abu Dhabi, Athena studied away on three continents, building robust international experience in Accra, London, and New York that prepared her for her future career.

During a January Term in Accra, Ghana, Athena studied economic development. Engaging directly with local communities and issues, she gained insights into the challenges of economic growth and the importance of culturally aware solutions. Her semesters abroad in New York and London, along with field work in Pune, India, added further depth to her education.

Each city offered a distinct environment for learning and personal growth. “Being able to immerse myself in those places was beyond eye-opening,” says Athena. These experiences broadened her worldview and equipped her with the skills to navigate complex, interconnected global challenges.

Athena now applies those lessons in her role at EY, where she helps businesses prepare sustainability reports and align with evolving regulations and requirements. She plays a critical role in storyboarding workshops, compliance assurance, and disclosure gap solutions.

Despite the clear challenges around climate change, Athena remains optimistic about the future of sustainability. “Progress can feel slow, but what keeps me going is seeing a gradual shift in recognizing that many ways we do business are unsustainable,” she says. While some clients view sustainability as a mere compliance task, others are emerging as leaders and driving meaningful change.

Using all she learned during her global study experiences to build this meaningful career, Athena never loses sight of her main goal: to inspire optimism and action. “Consumers and companies should invest time in shifting how we consume and produce,” she explains. Athena takes pride in moments when her guidance helps clients see the tangible benefits of sustainability. “When a client thanks me for explaining the real benefits of sustainability, that’s a positive impact.”

Repurposed with permission from NYU Abu Dhabi News

Artists Find Inspiration Through Inaugural Residency Programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai

Posted on December 2, 2024, modified on December 2, 2024 by Maxine P

Nester kneels with headphones on on the edge of a boat. A dolphin fin can be seen in the water in the distance.

Nester recording dolphins in the Arabian Gulf

Artists in residence enrich a university community by bringing new ideas and inspiring new questions, and that’s exactly what the inaugural artists in residence at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai did this past year in the sites’ programs.

NYU has long hosted artists in residence, but a global expansion allows the community to flourish in unexpected ways. “It’s understanding what people do, what their work involves, and then hopefully coming up with something together that we can explore that opens up both of our minds,” Sam Nester, the inaugural artist in residence at NYU Abu Dhabi, says. Nester, a trumpet player, composer, and sound artist who grew up in Australia, didn’t come in with a scientific background—but that was the point. As an artist he could learn from the scientists and vice versa. “The creative process is just like the scientific process,” he says. “There’s lots of learning and questions.”

Sam Nester

During Nester’s residency, he worked with the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology to turn human genomes into sound, and partnered with scientists like Dr. John Burt, PhD, to place microphones in the Arabian Gulf—one of the warmest bodies of water in the world—to record the sounds of dying coral reefs onto plastic “vinyl” plucked from the ocean. “We’re tracking the changes of those sounds,” he says, explaining that “changes in acoustic properties might help us understand what happens with biodiversity with heat stress.”

Not only do artists in residence foster a sense of innovation and creativity on campus, but they work in various roles, and can also help students think outside the box. Lei, a Shanghai native, was NYU Shanghai’s inaugural artist in residence, along with Dennis de Bel, an artistic researcher, educator, and radio amateur.

Lei taught for the first time during his residency, and while the University had originally proposed he complete a project by himself, Lei decided to slowly involve his students. He created a wall installation of wooden musical instruments that experimented with how we experience sound, and he let his students join in the performance when he exhibited them. He also curated exhibitions for his students to display their own work. “We need this kind of courage to do something new,” says Lei, who has a background in music, engineering, and the visual arts. “So I played that kind of role [to encourage students], but they also supported me because it was the first time I’ve taught.”

A group of people holding and looking at Lei's wooden instruments

The NYU Shanghai community got to engage with Lei’s wooden musical instruments at the final exhibition.

Lei says ultimately, the final project was less important than the relationships he cultivated with his colleagues, students, and the Shanghai community—especially everyone who came out for the final exhibition. “We shared that moment together, and I think that was the most beautiful part,” he says. Nester echoes those sentiments. “One of the things that was very special about this residency…is that I’ve also made some really wonderful friends and colleagues that I never would have had the opportunity to unless I was there,” Nester concludes. “I feel like part of my heart is left there as well, which is a beautiful and wonderful thing.”

Written by Marti Trgovich

NYU London Opens New Academic Center

Posted on October 21, 2024, modified on April 4, 2025 by Katie L

Updated April 4, 2025

Front desk with computers, chairs, and a sign reading 265 Strand

Large room with couches, tables, and chairs

This fall NYU London moved to its new location at 265 Strand. About a mile southeast from its former location and a short distance from the Temple London Underground Station, the new center offers students studying away an experience unique from other sites in the NYU global network.

The Best Location in London

The new building, in the heart of central London, is “truly one of the best locations in London,” says Mojtaba Moatamedi, executive director of the site. “We’re about 10 minutes away from Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament and just down the street from the Royal Courts of Justice. It’s also a central location for music and the arts, with numerous theatres and art galleries within walking distance.”

Additionally, the new site shares a courtyard with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), which offers NYU students ample opportunity to socialize with LSE students and students from other schools in the area, including King’s College London. “This should enhance the NYU student experience and offer them a real community of students studying in the UK,” says Moatamedi.

A Building Specially Suited for NYU London

Staff and faculty at NYU London worked closely with a team of architects to ensure the new center would meet student needs for space and technology. The spirit of NYU London’s previous intimate classrooms remains at the heart of the design, allowing students and faculty to build connections in small classes. However, doubling the building’s square footage means there is now room for much-needed community spaces. On-site student spaces include a cafeteria, student lounges, and an office space for the student affairs team. This means that student life is nested in the academic building, seamlessly integrating two aspects of the student experience. Moreover, 265 Strand contains larger lecture halls, allowing the site to invite renowned academics from across the United Kingdom for discussions and events.

Further, NYU London’s new center reached a significant milestone in sustainability. The building earned the prestigious BREEAM Excellent certification, a level equivalent to LEED Gold. A rating of Excellent signifies the second-highest level of BREEAM certification, indicating the building successfully scored over 70% on measures of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Rogan Kersh Is the New Academic Director of NYU Florence

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Maxine P

For Professor Rogan Kersh, becoming the academic director of NYU Florence and the vice chancellor for Global Programs is the culmination of a lifelong interest in world cultures—and a full-circle moment in his history with NYU.

From 2006 to 2012, Kersh was the associate dean of the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. There, among his other responsibilities, he was involved in the early planning stages of NYU Abu Dhabi, which fueled his passion for enhancing students’ global outlooks. For the next decade, Kersh served as provost at his alma mater, Wake Forest University, where he helped expand overseas study programs and global cultural opportunities on campus. In the fall of 2022, he spent a semester at DIS Copenhagen, teaching a course and engaging closely with their leadership to better understand the changing state of global education.

Now that he’s back at NYU, Global Dimensions caught up with Kersh to discuss his return to the University and his goals for NYU Florence.

What drew you back to NYU and specifically to NYU Florence?

I’ve remained close to many cherished NYU colleagues, and it will be wonderful to renew those relationships. For an organization this large and multinational, it’s remarkable how important personal connections are. As for NYU Florence: if you’ve visited, you know.

In your new role, what are your key goals for the site?

NYU Florence is at once a first-class study away program and a convening site important to NYU and to the city of Florence. Sustaining that balance, attending both to academic excellence and community engagement, feels essential.

I plan on learning as fully as I can about existing curricula, courses, and programs, and hearing from faculty and staff about the opportunities they see to enhance this wonderful site. Then, I will focus on working with them to help realize those opportunities.

What do you recommend students studying away at NYU Florence take advantage of while they are there?

I’ve always been impressed with how well Florence wears its extraordinary history—so many remarkable figures and movements and moments, most superbly preserved—while remaining a dynamic modern ecosystem that is a global leader in sustainability and has developed a thriving start-up culture.

Students can exercise their passion in virtually any direction and take advantage of so much: superb dining, from haute cuisine to street food; natural beauty in an urban setting; engagement with local public service organizations; and cultural treasures both ancient and newly imagined. And of course there are architectural gems everywhere you wander.

Many NYU Florence students find themselves spending fewer weekends city-hopping and more immersed in their fascinating immediate surroundings, which speaks to the power of the experience they have.

Written by Kristin Maffei

NYU Tulsa Kicks Off with Alternative Spring Break

Posted on September 9, 2024, modified on September 18, 2024 by Maxine P

Select NYU community members became the first to experience the University’s newest global site at NYU Tulsa through the Alternative Breaks program earlier this year.

A group of students and staff smile at a person speaking to them

NYU students and staff learn about Gathering Place before volunteering begins.

NYU Alternative Breaks emphasize exploring the integration of service, education, and reflection to create meaningful change in communities. The Tulsa trip focused on community development and outdoor recreation while providing opportunities for students to learn more about the area’s rich history and culture.

A group of 12 students as well as two staff advisers spent one week volunteering at Gathering Place, a world-class riverfront park. Like its name suggests, Gathering Place functions as a space for the Tulsa community to experience nature together. Volunteers connected with guests through play, engagement, and surveying; performed horticulture duties; and learned about the park, its vision, and its goals. “It is not your typical park,” says Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development sophomore Amanda Wang. “It truly serves as a place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities to come together.” For Amanda that often involved using the park’s unique resources to interact with children—playing instruments with them at the outdoor music stage or making arts and crafts in the makerspace.

A person stands in front of a screen with a map and key of Gathering Place and talks to a table of students and staff

A Gathering Place representative introduces the NYU alternative spring break cohort to the geography and offerings of the park.

“By engaging in volunteering, students immerse themselves in a new community, broadening their perspectives,” explains Casey Duffy, the manager for domestic study away career development. Duffy accompanied the students to Tulsa as a staff adviser. “These hands-on experiences offer practical learning outside the classroom, providing them with valuable skills and a deeper understanding of real-world issues.”

Tulsa is an area with rich history, reflected in upcoming classes that focus on Native arts, Black economic freedom, subnational policymaking, and clean energy. During their trip, students got a taste of the city’s complex past and colorful present with excursions to historic sites and cultural centers.

They visited the historic Greenwood District and Black Wall Street, spending hours at the Greenwood Rising history center, which tells the story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

The Woody Guthrie Center

Additionally, they traveled to Pawhuska, home to the Osage Nation, one of Oklahoma’s 39 tribes. They rounded out the trip with visits to cultural sites, including the Bob Dylan Center, Woody Guthrie Center, Philbrook Museum of Art, and the Tulsa Artist Fellowship and Arts District. “The arts and writing scene is incredibly rich in Tulsa, and we had the opportunity to see what local artists were working on,” Amanda shares. “Their work has a meaningful purpose, touching upon identity, race, and gender.”

NYU Tulsa officially launches in spring 2025, providing a range of unique opportunities. “No matter what you’re studying, Tulsa can offer so many opportunities for you to dive deeper into your passions and interests. The community there is really what makes the city so special,” Amanda concludes.

Written by Sarah Bender

Exploring Local Culture to Inform a Career

Posted on May 13, 2024, modified on May 13, 2024 by Maxine P

Julia Antwi-Boasiako

For College of Arts and Science student Julia Antwi-Boasiako, the opportunity to study at NYU Accra was a chance to revisit Ghana, the country where she was raised, and explore new possibilities for her future. The senior, who is majoring in Global Public Health and Sociology and minoring in Chemistry, immersed herself in local culture and professional experiences through impactful courses and an intensive internship.

To learn more about the history of Ghana from the 15th century through the rise of slavery in the Americas, Julia signed up for the class The Black Atlantic. Students explored a range of genres, including film, fiction, and formal scholarship, to examine how African communities were shaped during this time. She also took City As Text, which focused on Ghana’s modern society. In this course, Julia had the chance to tour two different areas within Accra, an affluent neighborhood and an impoverished one. She drew on the city as a primary resource for academic research and critical inquiry, completing formal interviews with locals to help her construct her final project.

“I have always dreamed of installing health resources back in Ghana. City As Text gave me an understanding of the needs of the population and resources that can help improve their circumstances,” Julia says. “I hope to further my education in the health and medical field in order to accomplish this objective, and these courses have given me a boost in my motivation.”

A small group of people standing in front of Black Star Gate in Accra

Black Star Gate in Accra, a photo from Julia’s time there

It took Julia some time to adjust to the culture of the city—though she spent a large portion of her childhood in Ghana, she’s lived in the United States since she was 12. At first, there were times when it was difficult for her to understand the locals’ perspectives. “Despite all this, the culture in Accra was amazing,” Julia remembers. “The locals are very amiable, funny, and always eager to strike a conversation and get to know you. I made many friends with local shop employees and even security personnel.”

In addition to classes and exploring, Julia also interned for the African Social Research Lab, working with the Eban Centre for Human Trafficking Studies. The internship was more research-intensive than she initially expected, but that wasn’t a problem. In fact, it made her realize how much she enjoys doing research, helping her understand her ideal future work environment.

“I wanted to be involved with a human services organization, and the internship made me aware of wanting to be in a field that was more hands-on and interactive,” Julia says. “Being able to listen to the stories of others and try to understand their backgrounds and perspectives was something I really enjoyed doing.”

Repurposed with permission from the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development’s blog

Toward Health Equity Across the Globe: NYU Shanghai’s Brian Hall Named Highly Cited Researcher in the Field of Psychiatry and Psychology

Posted on April 22, 2024, modified on April 22, 2024 by Maxine P

Professor Brian Hall has always kept a busy schedule. The global health researcher and clinical psychologist began his career providing triage services at a free medical clinic in Ohio, then he took his work to a post-tsunami Japan in 2011. With a dedication to supporting underserved and disadvantaged populations, he’s worked with refugees in Jijiga, Ethiopia, and migrant domestic workers in Macao, China. Today, he’s the director of NYU Shanghai’s Center for Global Health Equity and a professor of global public health. He’s also coauthored more than 320 peer-reviewed publications, commentaries, and chapters on the most pressing global health issues of our time, leading to his distinctions as a 2022 and 2023 Highly Cited Researcher in the field of Psychiatry and Psychology by Clarivate’s Web of Science. “It really highlights that our work is timely, focused on key issues of global priority that demonstrate a real impact on the field,” he says. “It is an honor.”

Hall joined NYU Shanghai in 2020 to lead the development of the global public health curriculum and ultimately the Center for Global Health Equity, at a time when public health reentered the spotlight. Since then, he’s also developed and taught a student-driven NYU seminar course on global mental health, which, to the best of his knowledge, is the first of its kind in Asia. Today, he oversees the center in three core areas: education, training, and mentoring; service to the community; and research. “Global health is a convening discipline, bringing diverse scholars and students together to address issues related to population health and well-being. Our goal is to continue to cultivate this interdisciplinary research atmosphere and include learners at all levels,” Hall explains. “This is a field in which we can make a real difference in the lives of diverse populations in China, regionally, and around the world.”

A group of individuals stand in front of a decorative poster.

Hall and colleagues celebrate the successful trial of Step-by-Step, a digital mental health intervention, on Chinese university students.

At the center, Hall says, “We focus our efforts on finding opportunities to make the greatest public health impact.” Currently, that includes noncommunicable diseases, like cancer and mental health, urban health, climate change, and migration. Now Hall is focusing on digital mental health interventions. Working with the World Health Organization, he recently published an implementation trial to address the mental health of Chinese university students—a population of more than 9 million. Going forward, the center is coleading a 1.3 million euro grant to study the barriers of accessing mental health care that migrant populations in five countries experience.

Jin Han, Yang Feng, and Brian Hall seated in chairs in discussion

Jin Han, Yang Feng, and Hall in discussion at the inaugural Summit in Global Public Health held by NYU’s New York City and Shanghai campuses

Because the center is based at NYU Shanghai, Hall and his colleagues have access to a wealth of resources. “Shanghai is a living laboratory, and NYU Shanghai is a vibrant interdisciplinary research university,” he affirms. “So we can find world-leading researchers and promising pretenure faculty and fellows with whom we can discuss opportunities for collaboration across fields. I think this makes NYU Shanghai unique, as we think outside of our own narrow fields to find intersections where innovation can take place.”

Written by Dana Guterman