A Swedish Scientist “Auscultating and Palpating” the Deep Earth — A Profile of Hans Christopher Juhlin, Recipient of the 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award

Professor Hans Christopher Juhlin has been deeply engaged in the field of geophysics. He currently serves as Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University (Sweden), and Distinguished Professor at Jilin University (China). As Coordinator of the Swedish Scientific Drilling Program (SSDP), he previously held leadership roles including Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University, President of the Energy, Resources and the Environment Division of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), and Member of the Energy Committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 2014.

Professor Hans Christopher Juhlin has maintained sustained, substantive collaborations with leading Chinese research institutions—including Jilin University and the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) — in recent years. Professor Juhlin has made significant contributions to the development of geoscience disciplines, joint research initiatives, and the cultivation of high-level scientific talent. His efforts have served as a vital bridge for China–Sweden cooperation in strategic domains such as deep Earth exploration, energy resource assessment, and environmental geophysics. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to educational exchange and scientific innovation, Professor Juhlin was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2025.

Origins: From the Fennoscandian Shield to Northeast China—A Scientific Resonance

Professor Hans Christopher Juhlin

Professor Hans Christopher Juhlin has long been a faculty member at Uppsala University—the oldest institution of higher learning in the Nordic region and a world leader in Earth Sciences, particularly renowned for deep probing of the ancient Fennoscandian Shield. His research career has focused on integrating geophysics and scientific drilling to unravel the structure and evolution of the continental crust, making significant contributions to deep Earth exploration and related technologies. Jilin University, for its part, is highly regarded for its expertise in geophysics, especially deep exploration. Its systematic, cutting-edge research in deep structural imaging and detection technologies for extreme environments is directly relevant to global imperatives such as the sustainable use of deep-earth resources and geological monitoring of CO2 sequestration. This strong alignment of scientific interests set the stage for early engagement between Professor Juhlin and the College of Geo-exploration Science and Technology of Jilin University—a professional resonance that both sides immediately recognized.

Professor Zhang Fengjiao of Jilin University, who pursued his Ph.D. under Professor Juhlin’s supervision at Uppsala University from 2008 to 2013, recalls: “What we talked about most was how to apply the advanced deep-exploration me t hodolog ie s developed i n sh ield env i ron ment s to structurally complex regions. We both recognized the strong complementarity between our institutions—Uppsala’s expertise in deep exploration methodologies and engineering practice, and Jilin University’s extensive survey experience and geological understanding of China’s typical tectonic belts. When I brought this idea back to Jilin University, the college leadership saw enormous potential in such a partnership.” This shared scientific vision and enduring mutual trust were formally recognized in 2015 with Jilin University’s appointment of Professor Juhlin as Visiting Professor—marking the commencement of a decade-long, substantive, and mechanism-based partnership.

Deepening Collaboration: From Project Cooperation to Platform‑Building in Research

From its inception, Professor Juhlin’s collaboration with Jilin University has been characterized by pragmatism and high efficiency. In 2016, at his initiative, the College of Geo-exploration Science and Technology at Jilin University and the Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University (Sweden) signed a formal college-level cooperation agreement, which laid a solid foundation for sustained exchanges, joint research, and the training of nextgeneration scientists.

Far from confining his engagement to strategic planning, Professor Juhlin has actively participated in the end-to-end implementation of collaborative research initiatives—from project conceptualization to platform architecture design and operational governance. He was instrumental in the planning and launch of Jilin University’s International Cooperation Platform for Geo-space Exploration Science and Application, infusing it with internationally benchmarked deep-exploration concepts and field-tested methodologies, thereby furnishing both theoretical rigour and expanded technical horizons.

This pragmatic collaboration has yielded substantial academic outcomes. Under Professor Juhlin’s sustained mentorship and through close bilateral coordination, a series of high-impact research papers have been published in leading geoscience journals. Focusing on frontier areas such as seismic wavefield simulation and advanced imaging, these works have not only deepened methodological understanding but also marked a new phase of integrated collaboration characterized by genuinely joint design, joint investigation, and joint authorship.

Talent Development: In‑Person Engagement and Sustained Online Mentorship

For Professor Juhlin, high quality international research collaboration and systematic talent development constitute two interdependent pillars of global scientific engagement. He places particular emphasis on the enduring strategic value of talent development—specifically, cultivating a new generation of scientists who are not only globally competent and collaborative but also equipped with the intellectual agility and resilience to address complex, evolving scientific challenges.

Since his inaugural visit to Jilin University in 2017—during which he delivered an academic lecture—Professor Juhlin has maintained sustained, high-impact engagement in the university's teaching mission, participating annually through diverse modalities. In summer 2018, he traveled to Jilin University's Xingcheng Field Training Base to deliver the course “Seismic Forward Modeling” for undergraduate and graduate students. He presented a specialized seminar on “Carbon Dioxide Geological Sequestration and Seismic Monitoring”, thereby integrating theoretical instruction with authentic field-based learning and enabling students to engage directly with internationally recognized methodologies. In 2020, despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, he ensured uninterrupted academic interaction by conducting a series of online public lectures for Chinese students. Beginning in 2022, he launched and has  consistently taught the graduate-level, fully online English course“Seismic Data Simulation and Imaging”, establishing an enduring platform for advanced geophysical education. This course has evolved into a flagship international teaching initiative within Jilin University’s College of Earth Exploration Science and Technology, serving as a primary conduit for students to access systematic, world-class instruction. Annually, it enrolls and attracts hundreds of participants—including degree-seeking students, auditors, and faculty—from Jilin University and leading institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China University of Geosciences, and China University of Petroleum. In autumn 2023, Professor Juhlin visited Changchun again to deliver intensive short courses on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and scientific drilling—each session fully subscribed—further cementing a robust, long-term partnership in graduate education and talent development.

“Professor Juhlin’s lectures are exceptionally wellstructured, and he consistently conveys complex geophysical concepts with remarkable clarity and accessibility. He actively fosters an inquiry-based learning environment—encouraging thoughtful questions and providing timely, detailed feedback via email, including substantive revisions to both the scientific reasoning and English-language expression of students’ manuscripts.” A former doctoral student from Jilin University recalled. Over the course of the collaboration, Professor Juhlin has personally supervised more than ten Chinese doctoral students, three of whom have completed their PhDs at Uppsala University. In addition, several Chinese faculty members have visited his research team for academic exchange. Notably, numerous individuals trained under his supervision or through collaborative projects have emerged as early-career leaders in geophysics.

Shared Commitment: Sustained Intellectual Synergy in Deep‑Earth Research

Professor Juhlin’s commitment to partnership is evident in countless details. He brings more than subject expertise—he transmits a rigorous scholarly ethic and an internationally attuned research paradigm. His online courses are meticulously prepared, bridging distance to deliver a seamless learning experience for students in China. At international conferences, he actively showcases collaborative achievements with Chinese colleagues, serving as a bridge for academic exchange and fostering new opportunities for Sino-foreign scholarly partnerships.

In November 2024, as a distinguished foreign expert representing Jilin University, he attended the 2024 Conference on International Exchange of Professionals. At this premierglobal talent event, he delivered a sub-forum keynote that traced nearly a decade of fruitful cooperation with Jilin University. Repeatedly, he underscored his vision for an even deeper engagement, emphasizing that open, trust-anchored, and pragmatic international scientific collaboration has never been more essential. His participation and remarks not only enhanced the global visibility of Jilin University’s geophysics programme but also exemplified the mindset and responsibility of a top scientist committed to meaningful, constructive international scientific exchange.

From an inaugural visit to jointly built platforms; from occasional lectures to sustained courses; from project guidance to career mentorship—Professor Juhlin’s partnership with China have grown deeper and wider. Backed by deep scientific insight, an open collaborative philosophy, and an unwavering focus on nurturing the next generation, he acts as a crucial link connecting China’s young researchers to the wider world.

“The Earth is our common home,” says Professor Juhlin. “Its deep interior and the sustainable use of its resources demand the pooled efforts of scientists everywhere. I have great confidence in China’s huge potential and rapid advancement in the Earth sciences. I hope that our collaboration will continue over the long term, tackling ever greater challenges in exploration and monitoring, and contributing to both scientific progress and human welfare.”

Juhlin’s story captures the spirit of China‑European scientific cooperation—a reminder that knowledge transcends borders and that enduring friendships can span continents. His work endures, much like seismic waves moving through the planet, continually generating discoveries and resonance.

Source: INTERNATIONAL TALENT