‘Keep Working, Keep Publishing—Consistency Matters’

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Ziyuan Zhu, from Beijing, China, is an international PhD student at the Institute for Public Administration and Governance at HSE University in Moscow. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Ziyuan talks about how studies can influence one’s outlook on life, comparing public service models in different countries, and why being a Chinese student in Russia is advantageous in research.

Ziyuan Zhu

PhD student at the Institute for Public Administration and Governance

— Tell us about your dissertation topic.

— Public services form the backbone of modern governance systems, reflecting not only how governments deliver welfare but also how societies balance efficiency, fairness, and accountability. My dissertation (‘Institutional Comparison of Public Service Models in China, the United States, and Russia: Marketization, Centralized Governance, and Hybrid Governance in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’) compares the institutional models of public service delivery in China, the United States, and Russia, focusing on how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies reshape their governance logics.

My study identifies three dominant models—marketisation (US), centralised governance (China), and hybrid governance (Russia)—and analyses how each responds to the challenges of fairness, efficiency, and accountability in the digital age

AI technologies have demonstrated potential to improve policy implementation and optimise resource allocation, yet they also raise new ethical and social questions concerning bias, data privacy, and access inequality.

By applying historical institutionalism and comparative institutional analysis, my research investigates how institutional path dependencies shape the adoption of AI in public services. It ultimately seeks to understand how technology can be embedded into different governance models to promote both efficiency and equity in service delivery.

— What are the main findings of your research?

— My main finding is that AI integration reinforces existing institutional patterns rather than transforming them outright. In the United States, AI supports market efficiency and innovation but tends to widen digital and social inequalities. In China, a centralised governance model has achieved broad service coverage and implementation capacity but faces ethical challenges in data governance and algorithmic fairness. In Russia, the hybrid model offers flexibility but suffers from institutional inertia and uneven technological infrastructure.

Overall, I argue that AI-driven public service reform must be understood as an institutional process, not merely a technological one

Sustainable digital transformation depends on aligning technology with governance norms, accountability systems, and social justice objectives.

— Why did you choose this topic?

— I chose this topic because AI is not only a technological phenomenon but a governance challenge. It reshapes how states interact with citizens and how fairness, efficiency, and trust are negotiated in public life.

The comparative lens helps reveal how political traditions and institutional legacies shape technological adaptation in public administration.

Coming from China and studying in Russia, I am in a unique position to observe contrasting models of governance and their responses to digital transformation

— How has collaborating with colleagues at HSE helped your research?

— I work closely with my supervisor and colleagues at HSE’s Institute of Public Administration. Their feedback has been invaluable in sharpening my analytical approach, especially in integrating comparative governance theory with digital transformation research. The interdisciplinary environment at HSE has allowed me to engage with scholars in economics, sociology, and data governance, which has significantly deepened the conceptual rigor of my work.

— Have you worked in international teams, and how has that shaped your project?

— Yes. I am currently collaborating with an Indian colleague from HSE, and together we participate in Tsinghua University’s International Research Academic Competition. Working in an international team helps me view governance models through diverse institutional and cultural perspectives, enriching the comparative depth of my dissertation.

— How is life in Moscow as an international PhD student?

— Life in Moscow is full of work—but also full of learning. Balancing research, writing, and cultural adaptation can be challenging, yet it offers constant intellectual stimulation.

Moscow’s academic atmosphere and HSE’s vibrant research culture make it an inspiring place to pursue a PhD

— Have you attended any international academic conferences related to your research?

— Yes. I presented my paper ‘Trends and Hotspots in Global Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Research (2014–2024)’ at a conference held in Chengdu, China. The event provided a valuable opportunity to discuss AI governance and public administration trends with researchers from around the world.

— What challenges have you faced during your PhD, and how did you overcome them?

— The most difficult challenges have been the intensity of research work and the language barrier, since my programme is taught in Russian. I overcame them through persistence, close cooperation with my supervisor, and a continuous habit of academic writing.

— What are your plans after completing your PhD?

— After completing my PhD, I intend to continue working in the academic field, focusing on research related to AI governance and ethical AI in public services.

My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of evidence-based frameworks for integrating artificial intelligence into public administration in equitable and accountable ways

In addition, I plan to broaden my academic inquiry into the digital transformation of rural labour and livelihoods, examining how AI-driven policies can enhance inclusion and social welfare in the digital era.

— Do you have any advice for future international PhD students at HSE?

— Keep working, keep publishing. Consistency matters more than speed. The research journey at HSE is demanding but deeply rewarding; it challenges you to think globally and act rigorously. Doing research at HSE is like life itself, full of challenges and surprises. It constantly pushes you to decide whether you want to just survive or strive to excel. That mindset defines the real journey of becoming a scholar.

— Anything else you’d like to share?

— When I look back, I often recall Martin Luther King’s words—'I have a dream.’ I had a dream too. Not about fame or success, but about understanding the world a little better.

When I was an undergraduate, I dreamed of pursuing a PhD one day, even though at that time I had no idea what academic research truly meant. The path since then has been anything but easy—full of obstacles, self-doubt, and long nights when giving up seemed easier than continuing—but I didn’t stop.

Over seven years, I have grown from a student who knew nothing about research into one who has slowly learned its language and spirit

Studying at HSE has not only shaped my academic skills but also reshaped how I see persistence, patience, and the value of curiosity. Research, to me now, is not only about answers, it is about the courage to keep asking questions that matter.

This journey has been demanding, sometimes exhausting, but also profoundly meaningful. It taught me that doing research is like walking through fog: you move slowly, you stumble, but with each step, the world becomes a little clearer.