Recruiting Overseas Talents to Universities in Mainland China: Study of a “Double First-Class Initiative” College

Abstract Parallel to the expansion in numbers of Chinese students studying abroad, an increasing number of international degree holders are attracted to develop their careers in Chinese universities. This study examines the recruitment policies of a Double First-Class Initiative Institution and their impact on overseas graduates who become early-career researchers. By employing critical discourse analysis (CDA), this research focuses on the linguistic structure and contextual strategies shown in these recruitment policies, informed by McDonnell and Elmore’s policy instruments framework. It reveals that these policies display instrumental features of mandates, inducements, system-changing, and hortatory efforts. The policies also indicate the behavior expected from the applicants and recruitment and evaluation organizers, suggesting a trend of resource reallocation within the sector.