Interview with Dr. Wanxu Chen—Winner of the Land Young Investigator Award

We would like to congratulate Dr. Wanxu Chen for winning the Land 2024 Young Investigator Award.

Dr. Wanxu Chen primarily conducts research on the eco-environmental effects of urbanization, global change and human activities, and territorial spatial governance optimization. He has published over 100 papers in the field of land system science in renowned journals such as Earth's Future, Land Use Policy, and Land. A total of 16 of his papers have been recognized as ESI Highly Cited Papers/Hot Papers (Top 0.1%). He was included in the World’s Top 2% Scientists list (released by researchers from Stanford University) in both 2023 and 2024. He was also selected for the China Association for Science and Technology’s “Science and Technology Think Tank Young Talent Program” and the UNESCO’s “Man and Biosphere (MAB) National Committee of China Young Talent Program” in 2022. Additionally, Dr. Chen serves as an (Early Career) Editorial Board Member for over 10 academic journals.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Wanxu Chen:

1. Congratulations on the award! Could you share your immediate reaction to winning, and what this recognition means for your work and career?
I was deeply honored and genuinely surprised to receive the Land 2024 Young Investigator Award. My immediate reaction was profound gratitude to the selection committee, my colleagues at CUG, my dedicated research team, and collaborators worldwide.
This recognition is immensely significant. It validates our team's persistent efforts in understanding complex human–environment interactions within land systems, particularly territorial space evolution and ecological effects. It powerfully affirms that our interdisciplinary approach, blending rigorous science with actionable policy insights, resonates internationally.
For my career, this is a tremendous encouragement. It strengthens my commitment to pursuing impactful research that bridges academia and real-world problem-solving. It highlights the importance of translating findings into practical solutions, as reflected in our policy contributions. Crucially, it places a spotlight on the vital work emerging from China and CUG in this critical field, motivating me further to contribute to global sustainability science and nurture the next generation of scholars. This award is not just personal; it is a recognition of our collective effort to advance land system science for a more sustainable future.

2. Reflecting on your previous collaborations with Land, what impressed you most?
Beyond its rigorous peer review ensuring high quality, what truly stands out is Land’s exceptional commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. The journal actively bridges land system science, policy, and practice. Editorial teams deeply engage with complex, solution-oriented research—like our work on territorial space evolution and ecological effects—ensuring it reaches global scholars and stakeholders. Their efficient, constructive review process accelerates impactful science, while Special Issues create vital platforms for emerging themes. This synergy between editorial vision and scholarly community significantly amplifies real-world relevance—a rarity that makes Land an indispensable partner in advancing sustainable land solutions.

3. What key qualities do you think are essential for young researchers?
Based on my journey, four qualities stand out as crucial:
1. Interdisciplinary curiosity: Land system science demands integrating perspectives (e.g., ecology, geography, management, socio-economics, policy) to tackle complex sustainability challenges;
2. Resilience and rigor: Research involves setbacks. Persistence in refining methods, questioning assumptions, and ensuring data integrity is non-negotiable;
3. Problem-solving relevance: Anchor your work in real-world sustainability challenges. Strive not just for publication, but for actionable insights with policy or practical impact;
4. Collaborative spirit: Complex problems require diverse expertise. Build genuine partnerships—across disciplines, institutions, and with stakeholders—valuing different viewpoints.

4. What challenges have you encountered during your research journey, particularly as a young investigator? Do you have anything to say to your fellow scholars?
My journey presented multifaceted hurdles. Early on, securing competitive funding as an unknown young scholar tested my resilience. Bridging interdisciplinary divides—integrating quantitative environmental science with qualitative policy analysis—demanded humility and relentless learning. Translating complex land system findings into actionable policy advice was also a challenge. Time management amid teaching, research, and social service often felt overwhelming, especially when critical experiments or revisions coincided.
Yet these challenges forged growth. Collaborating across continents taught me that diverse perspectives turn obstacles into innovations. Rejections refined my proposals; skepticism sharpened my communication. Policy engagement, though arduous, proved that persistence turns evidence into change—as when our team’s models informed territorial spatial governance.
Your struggles are not signs of inadequacy but proof you’re pushing boundaries. Embrace curiosity over comfort—ask the “naive” questions that disrupt conventions. Build networks not just for opportunities, but for mutual support; my breakthroughs emerged from team’s wisdom and peers’ camaraderie. In land science, we steward humanity’s foundation—never underestimate the transformative potential of your dedication. Stay stubbornly hopeful.

5. Can you describe the central goals of your current research?
My team’s mission centers on advancing sustainable land system governance under rapid global change. We prioritize three interlinked goals: investigating the eco-environmental impacts of urbanization to mitigate ecological degradation; exploring the interactions between global change and human activities to understand sustainability challenges; and developing strategies for optimizing territorial spatial governance, aiming to promote resilient and sustainable development through interdisciplinary approaches in land system science.

6. Which emerging topics in land science do you believe will critically influence the academic community in the coming years?
Personally, I think three frontiers will reshape land science:
1. Telecoupled land governance: Analyzing distant socioeconomic-ecological interactions to address inequities in global resource flows;
2. AI-enhanced earth observation: Integrating deep learning with multi-source remote sensing for real-time monitoring of land degradation, carbon dynamics, and urbanization resilience at planetary scales;
3. Nature-positive transitions: Quantifying synergies/trade-offs between biodiversity restoration, zero-carbon urbanization, and food security under systemic risks—moving beyond siloed SDGs.

7. Do you have any other suggestions for how journals and publishers can further support young researchers and the academic community?
From the perspective of a young scholar, I think journals can profoundly empower early-career researchers by:
1. Democratizing access: Offer full fee waivers for low/middle-income countries and unaffiliated scholars, ensuring equity in knowledge sharing;
2. Valuing diverse outputs: Establish sections for policy briefs, data papers, and negative/niche studies—critical for innovation but often overlooked;
3. Bridging practice-academia: Host matchmaking workshops connecting young scientists with policymakers/NGOs to co-design applied research.
Finally, transparent revision timelines and constructive rejection feedback are essential to sustain morale. True progress requires journals to be catalysts—not gatekeepers—of inclusive, solutions-driven science.

You can access more Land’s Awards information via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/awards.

Land Editorial Office