On August 16, 2026, the 2nd Young Scholars Forum on “Surface Earth System Science” of the Chinese University Alliance of Earth System Science (CUAESS) was held at Tsinghua University. Organized by the CUAESS and hosted by the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University, the forum aimed to further foster young‑talent development in the field of Earth system science, facilitate interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration, and build an open exchange platform oriented toward the future development of Earth science.

The forum featured three thematic sessions: “Fundamentals and Analytical Methods of Complex Systems”, “Critical Transitions in the Earth System and Climate‑Environmental Change”, and “Social‑Ecological‑Technological Systems and Resilience Governance”. Young scholars from relevant universities and research institutions delivered special presentations on frontier topics in Earth system science. Review panel experts carried out comprehensive assessments against criteria including scientific innovation, research methodology, interdisciplinary integration, the value of resilience‑oriented research, and academic delivery, and held discussions with the speakers.

Upon completion of the review process, Gou Ruijian, postdoctoral fellow at Laoshan National Laboratory, won the Outstanding Presentation Award; Yang Xiaoye, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, received the Scientific Interdisciplinary Innovation Award; and Guo Wei, PhD candidate at Tianjin University, was conferred the Resilience Research Award. Academician Chen Deliang, Department Chair of Tsinghua DESS, and Professor Liu Congqiang, Dean of the School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, presented the awards to the winners.

From top to bottom and left to right, the award recipients are Yang Xiaoye, Guo Wei, and Gou Ruijian.

The Chinese University Alliance of Earth System Science was jointly initiated by Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, Tianjin University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. During the forum, representatives of the Alliance’s council members held a meeting to conduct in-depth discussions on topics including the Alliance’s development plan, mechanisms for research collaboration, academic exchange activities, and the cultivation of young talent.

Group photo of some forum participants

The convening of this Young Scholars Forum represented an important initiative by the Chinese University Alliance for Earth System Science to foster young‑talent development and academic exchange. Moving forward, the Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, will continue to build on the Alliance’s platform, deepen collaboration with member institutions, and collectively further the development of Earth system science. It aims to nurture young researchers equipped with a global vision, systems thinking and innovative capacity, contributing to tackling global‑change challenges and driving sustainable development.

Written by Yu Ruiqi

Edited by Wang Jiayin

Reviewed by Chen Deliang and Yu Le