The academic conference "Volunteer Management and Volunteering from a Comparative Perspective" was successfully held at Zhejiang University on June 6th and 7th, 2025. This conference was jointly organized by the School of Public Affairs of Zhejiang University, the Institute of Social Governance of Zhejiang University, and the editorial department of Journal of Chinese Governance. More than 30 scholars and experts from universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, Indiana University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Minnesota, Arizona State University, California State University, Middlebury College, the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Macau University of Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University, Renmin University of China, Sun Yat-sen University, and East China University of Science and Technology attended the conference.
Zhang Weiwen, the vice dean of the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang University, Shen Yongdong, the deputy editor-in-chief of the Journal of Chinese Governance, and Cheng Yuan, a tenured associate professor at the University of Minnesota, delivered welcoming remarks.Zhang Weiwen pointed out that while the importance of volunteer services and volunteer management is increasingly recognized, they also face complex challenges. This conference provides a platform for cross-cultural exchange among scholars from different countries and disciplines, aiming to deepen the understanding of volunteer management through comparative studies, promote the integration of theoretical tools and practical experience, and contribute more wisdom and solutions to global public governance and social development. Shen Yongdong stated that the Journal of Chinese Governance is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary. The journal will take this conference as an opportunity to promote theoretical innovation and practical exploration in the field of volunteer services and management through special issues, academic forums, and exchange discussions. He looks forward to the in-depth exchanges at this academic conference stimulating the production of high-quality research and promoting international cooperation and the continuous construction of the academic community in related fields. Cheng Yuan extended a warm welcome to the participants from all over the world, with different disciplinary backgrounds and age groups. He particularly thanked the organizing units for their strong support for this conference and wished the conference a complete success, injecting new impetus into international academic exchanges and the development of volunteer service research.
Left - Zhang Weiwen, Middle - Shen Yongdong, Right - Cheng Yuan
The opening roundtable forum of this conference was themed around "Remembering the renowned scholar in the field of volunteer research, Jeffrey L. Brudney, and nurturing the next generation of scholars in nonprofit organization research". The forum was chaired by Cheng Yuan, a tenured associate professor at the University of Minnesota. Ram Cnaan from the University of Pennsylvania, Beth Gazley from Indiana University, Mark Hager from Arizona State University, and Young-joo Lee from Indiana University reviewed Professor Jeffrey L. Brudney’s academic contributions and personal qualities. As a foundational figure in the field of nonprofit research, Jeffrey L. Brudney proposed the theoretical proposition of regarding volunteer resources as a “commons,” emphasizing institutionalized management to avoid resource depletion and promoting greater academic attention to informal volunteering, a practice that had long been neglected. As a mentor, he was known for his gentle but clear critical style, adept at helping young scholars clarify research questions and boost their confidence in expression. Many students grew into independent scholars under his guidance. His academic guidance went beyond the thesis itself, focusing more on ways of thinking and career development paths. He was renowned for his strong spirit of cooperation, with extensive co-authorships and continuous promotion of knowledge co-creation. He was sincere and humorous in his dealings with others, naturally integrating academia and life, and was highly respected by colleagues and students. He left behind not only a rich academic legacy but also a scholarly demeanor filled with wisdom and generosity, which continues to inspire those who follow in the field of volunteer research. This roundtable was not only an academic memorial but also a cross-generational dialogue of knowledge inheritance.
Top left - Ram Cnaan, Top right - Beth Gazley, Bottom left - Mark Hager,
Bottom right - Young-joo Lee
Thematic Seminar I
The first thematic seminar, themed "Attitudes and Behaviors towards Volunteering," was chaired by Cheng Yuan from the University of Minnesota. Zhu Jiangang and Gao Jintao from Zhejiang University, Jessica Teets and Yin Yifan from Middlebury College, Yang Zheng from California State University, and Wu Zhongsheng, Xie Tingyu, and Dai Yiming from Zhejiang University presented their reports successively. Lan Yuxin from Tsinghua University and Yang Yongzheng from Renmin University of China offered insightful comments.
Left - Cheng Yuan, Middle - Lan Yuxin, Right - Yang Yongzheng
Zhu Jianga and Gao Jintao gave a presentation titled "Generation of Habitus: A Study of Community Volunteers’ Self-Mobilization Mechanisms."
Jessica Teets and Yin Yifan gave a presentation titled "Generation Z Changing Attitudes and Behaviors toward Volunteerism in China."
left - Zhu Jianga, right - Jessica Teets
Yang Zeng gave a presentation titled "Tracking Volunteer Engagement During COVID-19: Behavioral Patterns, Psychological Resilience, and Trends in Los Angeles."
Wu Zhongsheng, Xie Tingyu, and Dai Yiming gave a presentation titled "How Do Economic Incentives Influence Citizens’ Intention to Volunteer for Time Bank? The Moderation Role of Social Norms."
Left - Yang Zheng, Right - Wu Zhongsheng
Thematic Seminar II
The second thematic seminar was themed "Volunteer Management from a Cross-sector Perspective." This session was chaired by Shen Yongdong from Zhejiang University. Deng Yuqi and Wang Shizong from Zhejiang University, Hu Ming from the University of Macau and Wang Jun from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Miao Qing and Wang Yunshu from Zhejiang University presented their reports successively. Liu Zejin from Sun Yat-sen University and Zhang Jun from Syracuse University offered insightful comments.
Left - Shen Yongdong, Middle - Liu Zejin, Right - Zhang Jun
Deng Yuqi and Wang Shizong presented a report titled "From Structure to Emergence: An Agent-Based Simulation of Multi-Mechanism Configurations in Digital Charitable Giving."
Hu Ming and Wang Jun presented a report titled "The Configurational Approach to Volunteer Management at Business-Driven Art Festivals: Balancing Transaction, Community, and Mission Dynamics."
Miao Qing and Wang Yunshu presented a report titled "Go with the flow? How volunteers respond to NPO commercialization."
Left - Deng Yuqi, Middle - Hu Ming, Right - Wang Yunshu
Thematic Seminar III
The third thematic seminar was themed "Variety of Contexts in Volunteering and Volunteer Management." This session was chaired by Hu Ming from the University of Macau. Shen Yongdong, Bi Huirong, and Lai Yixuan from Zhejiang University, and Young-joo Lee from Indiana University and Chen Feiyu from Zhejiang University presented their reports successively. Chih-Wei Hsieh from City University of Hong Kong and Wu Jiebing from Zhejiang University offered insightful comments.
Left - Hu Ming, Middle - Chih-Wei Hsieh, Right - Wu Jiebing
Shen Yongdong, Bi Huirong, and Lai Yixuan presented a report titled "Varieties of Time Banks in Eldercare: Cases from China."
Bi Huirong
Young-joo Lee presented a report titled "Volunteering in the Time of the Pandemic: Who Volunteered During COVID-19?"
Chen Feiyu presented a report titled "State-Society Mutual Empowerment as a Possibility: Typologies and Conditions in Chinese Volunteerism."
Left - Young-joo Lee, Right - Chen Feiyu
Thematic Seminar IV
The fourth thematic seminar was themed "Big Questions in Volunteer Management." This session was chaired by Beth Gazley from Indiana University. Mark Hager from Arizona State University, Luo Wei from Peking University and Long Yan from University of California, Berkeley, Ram Cnaan and Daniel Choi from the University of Pennsylvania presented their reports successively. Li Hui from the University of Hong Kong and Zhan Xueyong from the University of Macau offered insightful comments.
Left - Beth Gazley, Middle - Li Hui, Right - Zhan Xueyong
Mark Hager presented a report titled "Acceptance and Use of Technology in the Voluntary Sector Context."
Mark Hager
Luo Wei and Long Yan presented a report titled "Volunteering without voluntarism: Unobtrusive control of community work during COVID-19 pandemic."
Ram Cnaan and Daniel Choi presented a report titled "Volunteer Management: Science or Arts?"
Left - Luo Wei, Right - Ram Cnaan
The conference concluded with a discussion themed “The Future of Volunteering and Volunteer Management Research from a Comparative Perspective,” chaired by Beth Gazley from Indiana University. Scholars engaged in an in-depth exploration of cultural differences in “volunteering,” the relationship between motivation and management, the role of technological support in the sustainability of volunteer service, and how to transform research findings into practical knowledge. The conference showcased a rich array of interdisciplinary and comparative research perspectives, making a positive contribution to global volunteer studies.
In the final part of the closing discussion, participants reached a preliminary consensus to deepen and enrich the theoretical dimensions and practical significance of the volunteer field in global governance research through comparative studies on volunteer service and management.
