Changze Li, 3rd year PhD student, Research Center for Landslide Disaster Risk Cognition and Reduction, Disaster Prevention Research Institute

Date of Interview: August, 2025

Before Coming to Kyoto University
I was born and raised in Shandong Province, China. Before coming to Kyoto University, I completed my master’s degree and worked for one year at Kyushu University. During those three years, I often heard praise for Kyoto University from professors and my colleagues, which made me admire Kyoto University and aspire to study here one day. I am truly grateful to Professor Gonghui Wang for giving me the opportunity to pursue my doctoral studies at Kyoto University.

Life at Kyoto University
Kyoto is a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage. There are many traditional Japanese buildings and historical sites, which I find fascinating. I conduct my research at the Uji Campus, where the environment is very peaceful and quiet – an ideal setting for academic work. In spring, the Sakura flower blossoms on campus are especially beautiful, making my research life even more enjoyable.

-What were the biggest challenges you met?
The biggest challenge I have faced has been related to my research. During my master’s studies, I mainly focused on the development and application of our numerical simulation software to landslides. In order to better simulate real-world phenomena, I started extending my two-dimensional program into a three-dimensional version and introduced several improvements during my doctoral course. This transition has been full of difficulties, including complex algorithm design and computational challenges, but it has also been a valuable learning experience.

-What did you work on to overcome the challenges?
There was no special trick—just continuous effort in research and study. I attended several international conferences, where I had the chance to meet and listen to many excellent researchers. Their presentations were very inspiring and helped broaden my perspective. When I encountered difficulties in my work, I also consulted some of them. They were very kind and supportive, and their advice helped me solve many problems. I am also especially grateful to my supervisor and colleagues, who provided me with valuable support and advice.

-What did you enjoy the most during your time at Kyoto University?
I'm a big fan of good food, so I often enjoy exploring new restaurants in the evening. The Uji Campus is conveniently located near the train station, which makes it easy to get around. Sometimes, I go shopping with friends in Shijo or Osaka, where I can experience Japanese culture and tourism. I also like visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine or taking relaxing walks along the Kamogawa River. These peaceful moments help me calm my mind and refresh myself.

-Research at Kyoto University
There are many outstanding researchers at Kyoto University, and seeing their work often reminds me how much I still have to learn. At the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, we have access to advanced experimental equipment such as the centrifuge, shaking table, and ring shear apparatus. There is also a large amount of landslide data and extensive experience in landslide research, which is extremely valuable for students like me.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Kyoto University?
I truly enjoy doing research. I hope to continue improving our simulation program—making it more useful, efficient, accurate, and versatile—so that it can be applied to real-world problems and contribute to the study of landslides and other natural hazards. In the future, I also hope to become a worthy member of the Kyoto University community and continue my academic journey with passion.

Message for Future International Students
Kyoto University is a place where academic freedom is deeply valued, and you’ll meet many brilliant scholars here. What makes them truly outstanding is not only just their talent, but also their passion for research. The path of research is full of uncertainties and challenges, but at Kyoto University, you can fully enjoy your academic journey, daily life, and the opportunity to learn from world-renowned scholars. Studying abroad can be both exciting and challenging. You may face cultural differences or language barriers. I recommend learning some basic Japanese before you come. It will make your daily life much easier and help you connect with local people.