Discovering Opportunity Amidst Adversity

Fang Zhang

Fang's upbringing in a small town in western Hubei Province, China, was marked by significant challenges. As a member of the Tujia ethnic group, she was the youngest of three siblings raised single-handedly by her mother following her father's early passing. Despite facing adversity, Fang's determination led her to secure a spot at Nankai University in Tianjin, China, through hard work and dedication. It was during her undergraduate years that she first heard of The Fletcher School. She later got to know Professor Kelly Sims Gallagher, a Senior China Advisor in the Special Envoy for Climate Change office at the U.S. State Department, when she studied in her first Ph.D. program at the Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management in Beijing, China.

Seizing Opportunities for Academic Growth

Fang's academic journey took an unexpected turn when she was offered a scholarship to become a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, by the Chinese government. However, the absence of an academic mentor left her feeling frustrated. In a stroke of fortune, Fang reached out to Professor Gallagher, who not only provided her with a scholarship to Fletcher but also offered her a position as a research assistant. This opportunity paved the way for Fang to start her second Ph.D. program at the Fletcher School, Tufts University, and allowed Fang to continue to explore the world.

Venturing into Global Research

Fang's research interests lie in innovation finance, renewable energy innovation, and technology transfer. Much of her research revolves around conducting cross-country comparisons of renewable energy finance, analyzing nations such as China, the United States, Germany, and India. Fang attributes her willingness to explore new countries for research to her time at The Fletcher School, which instilled in her the confidence to embrace academic adventures abroad.

Embracing Diversity and Friendship

Beyond academic pursuits, Fang is grateful to The Fletcher School for broadening her understanding of global diversity. While she had an abstract awareness of cultural differences, it wasn't until her time at Fletcher that she truly grasped the world's diversity. Encouraged by the school's global perspective, Fang became more adventurous and ambitious in her research endeavors. She formed lasting friendships, such as her bond with fellow Fletcher PhD Melanie Reed. Melanie's inclusive gestures, like inviting Fang to her church on Christmas, were instrumental in helping Fang acclimate to life in the United States. Fang acknowledges Professor Gallagher's unwavering mentorship and encouragement, recalling her words during a pivotal moment: "Where there is a will, there is a way."