Professor Arthur Kleinman Visits China to Advance Collaboration on Aging and Care

In August and September 2026, leadership of the Social Technology for Global Aging (STGA) Research Initiative at Harvard visited China for a series of academic exchanges and meetings with collaborators in Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai. The visit brought together researchers, clinicians, and institutional partners to discuss how research and practice can better respond to the needs of older adults and those who care for them. Professor Arthur Kleinman’s work on caregiving provided a central theme throughout the visit: the importance of attending to people’s lived experiences, relationships, and everyday needs alongside advances in medicine and technology.

In Beijing, discussions at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) focused on high-quality care, including communication, doctor–patient relationships, and the role of clinical leaders in modeling good care. The exchanges provided a foundation for continued collaboration with PUMCH colleagues on bringing these priorities into clinical practice. The Beijing program also included public and academic engagements that connected questions of aging and caregiving with broader conversations about health and society.

In Nanjing, a keynote presentation and roundtable discussions with the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI) brought together collaborators to explore interdisciplinary approaches to aging. Conversations considered how technological innovation can respond to older adults’ needs and support the people and institutions providing care. These exchanges supported STGA’s ongoing collaboration with JITRI and offered opportunities to discuss priorities for future joint work.

In Shanghai, the program included an exchange on age-friendly communities and engagement with colleagues at Institute on Aging. Discussions explored how community environments, services, and social relationships shape older adults’ well-being. The Shanghai meetings connected STGA’s interests in caregiving and technology with the practical challenges of supporting older people in everyday community settings.

Across the three cities, the visit connected STGA’s research priorities with the experiences of Chinese collaborators working in hospitals, universities, communities, and technology development. It also identified areas for continued exchange high-quality care, age-friendly communities, and the relationship between innovation and caregiving.