Mr. Yunlu Yin is a third-year PhD candidate in the Area of Marketing. He was invited to visit the Yale Institute of Network Science (YINS) at Yale University from August 2019 to March 2020 to conduct research in the area of social network analysis.

Under the supervision of Dr. Jayson Jia and Professor Echo Wan, my current research explores marketing issues pertaining to the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies, digital/mobile platforms, and social networks. I received an invitation from the Yale Institute of Network Science in fall 2018 to visit Yale in the following academic year for the purpose of research collaboration between the two institutions. During the visiting period, I was warmly hosted by Professor Nicholas Christakis, the Sterling Professor of Social and Natural Science at Yale, and a sociologist and physician who conducts research in the areas of social networks and biosocial science.

The visiting idea was initiated from a former collaboration project between my supervisor Dr. Jayson Jia and Professor Nicholas Christakis. Since part of my research involves the ideas which borrow the network theory to examine the memory structures underlying brand positioning, Dr. Jia suggested that it might be a good idea to collaborate with Professor Christakis, who has expertise in solving social phenomena with the paradigms based on both experimental and empirical social network. Indeed, the trip to Yale has been genuinely inspiring. Through attending courses and regular weekly seminars, I had the chance to be exposed to cutting-edge knowledge with regard to the ideas/tools in behaviour social science, such as designing internet-based social network studies with the software Breadboard and conducting large-scale field studies in developing countries (e.g. Honduras). I also have the opportunities to carry out face-to-face discussions with distinguished professors and scholars in the field of sociology and marketing science, which were of great help to junior researchers like me to achieve a better understanding of the principles and practice of network sciences in addressing business-related issues, and thus promote our ongoing research.

The academic trip was originally intended to last for a whole year, but it unfortunately had to conclude earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Despite the unexpected end of my visit, I have gained valuable exposure and experience from this amazing journey, which will certainly be beneficial to my research. I sincerely appreciate the help and support from both Yale and HKU.