The book explores the academic characteristics, career development, and impacts of "foreignness" of Chinese overseas returnees in research universities. It provides valuable insights into the international mobility of academics and the challenges and opportunities that returnee scholars face in terms of research, teaching, international exchange, income, academic promotion, job satisfaction, and career mobility in their academic careers.

Using first-hand large-scale survey data, the author presents quantitative analyses of the international mobility of Chinese academics at the individual level. She evaluates the impact of overseas experience on academic career development, and further proposes practical policy suggestions to attract and retain returnee talent in academia in China.

The book's findings have important implications for policy-makers, university administrators, and academics who seek to address the challenges and opportunities of international academic careers and promote the internationalization of research universities in China and beyond.

Li Yu is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Policy (IPP), South China University of Technology (SCUT). Her research interests include higher education, economics of education, and science and technology policy in China.