Nanjing Normal University (NNU) has become the focal point of a growing academic and ethical controversy following allegations of an extramarital affair between Vice Dean of the School of Environment, Professor Song Hailiang, and his doctoral student, Wang Huixiang. The scandal came to light when a 14-page document detailing their alleged relationship surfaced on the evening of February 24, rapidly gaining traction online.
In response to the accusations, NNU released an official statement on February 25, announcing that a preliminary investigation had led to Song’s removal from his administrative position. Additionally, his qualifications as a graduate supervisor were revoked, and all academic and professional activities were suspended. The university also emphasized its commitment to a thorough investigation, promising strict disciplinary measures based on further findings.
Nanjing Normal University, located in Jiangsu Province, is a key provincial institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the Jiangsu Provincial Government. Tracing its origins back to 1902 with the establishment of Sanjiang Normal School, NNU has evolved over the years into a comprehensive university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is part of the Double First-Class Construction and Project 211, initiatives aimed at cultivating world-class institutions in China.
Discovery of the Affair
The allegations were first exposed when Wang’s boyfriend, identified as Han, discovered incriminating messages between her and Song, who is married, upon returning from a business trip. According to Han, he and Wang had been in a committed relationship when he began noticing signs of her emotional detachment and suspicious behavior. Determined to uncover the truth, he accessed her messages on WeChat, which confirmed an ongoing affair with Song.
The 14-page document compiled by Han included numerous screenshots of intimate conversations between Wang and Song, exposing their relationship in detail. These messages not only confirmed their romantic involvement but also revealed discussions where Song allegedly promised career advantages to Wang. Specifically, the document states that Song assured Wang she would successfully complete her doctoral studies that year and that he would arrange for her to secure a position at a research institute after graduation. Wang was the doctoral student at Nanjing Normal University since 2022 and serves as the Party branch secretary for doctoral students in the School of Environment. It has been reported that Song had allegedly promised to Wang, who is expected to graduate by the end of 2025, that he would help him get a job at a research institute. It has also been reported that when the two were together in Song's office, they used to hang a red card on the door that stated "Do Not Disturb" ("请勿打扰").
The revelations quickly went viral, sparking widespread public outrage and intense scrutiny of Song’s professional conduct. Many questioned whether the professor had leveraged his academic authority to engage in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, raising serious ethical concerns about power dynamics within Chinese academia.
University's Response and Website Blackout
On the evening of February 25, Nanjing Normal University responded with an official statement, declaring its zero-tolerance policy toward faculty misconduct. The university reiterated its commitment to maintaining ethical academic practices and assured that further investigations would determine additional disciplinary measures. The institution also underscored the importance of safeguarding students’ rights and ensuring a professional learning environment free from coercion or misconduct.
Shortly after the scandal broke, netizens noticed that the webpage of NNU’s School of Environment became inaccessible. Instead of displaying the usual faculty-related content, the webpage showed a message indicating that the site was "under maintenance" ("本网站正在更新维护中，感谢您的关注"). However, websites of other faculties remained fully operational. This led to speculation that the university was attempting to mitigate reputational damage by controlling online access to information related to the controversy.
Meanwhile, attempts by journalists to contact Song for a response were unsuccessful. Reporters from Nandu repeatedly called his phone on February 25, but no calls were answered. His silence has only fueled further speculation regarding the extent of the scandal and its possible implications on his academic career.
Academic Collaborations and Potential Conflicts of Interest
As scrutiny into Song's professional life deepened, concerns emerged regarding his research collaborations with Wang. The two have co-authored multiple research papers published in high-impact international journals. Their joint publications include an article in Pedosphere, a leading journal published by Elsevier in collaboration with top Chinese institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Another collaborative paper appeared in the Journal of Cleaner Production, a prestigious journal in the field of sustainability and environmental science. Both journals hold Q1 rankings in the Web of Science database, indicating their high academic standing.
Ethical guidelines in academia require transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest, particularly in situations where personal relationships could influence research outcomes or publication decisions. Given that Song held an authoritative role as Wang’s doctoral supervisor, there are concerns that his influence may have played a role in her successful publication record. This raises broader questions about academic integrity and the fairness of research assessments in Chinese higher education institutions.
Moreover, the editorial boards of these journals include members affiliated with prominent Chinese institutions. For instance, Zucong Cai, associated with Nanjing Normal University, serves on the editorial board of Pedosphere. Additionally, Yu Liu and Shu Tao from Peking University's College of Urban and Environmental Sciences hold editorial positions in the Journal of Cleaner Production and Pedosphere, respectively. Peng Wang and Yongguan Zhu, both from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Urban Environment, also serve on these editorial boards. These revelations have intensified calls for an independent review into whether Song exercised undue influence over Wang’s academic achievements.
Song Hailiang’s Academic and Professional Background
Prior to his dismissal, Song Hailiang held an esteemed position within Nanjing Normal University’s School of Environment. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from Southeast University (1996–2000), followed by a doctoral degree in engineering from the same institution (2000–2005). Song then pursued an academic career at Southeast University, serving as a lecturer and associate professor before joining NNU as a professor in July 2017.
His research expertise covers a range of environmental science disciplines, including artificial wetlands, bioelectrochemical technology, emerging pollutants, water environment restoration, and membrane technology. He has been involved in numerous national and international research projects and has contributed extensively to scholarly publications in these fields. However, his sudden removal from his academic duties has cast a shadow over his contributions and raised serious doubts about his professional ethics.
Institutional Commitment to Academic Ethics
Nanjing Normal University has repeatedly emphasized the importance of ethical academic conduct. In a June 29, 2024 article titled 'Party Building Leads Engineering Construction to Draw a Good "Concentric Circle" for the High-quality Development of Colleges and Universities' (党建带工建 绘好高校事业高质量发展“同心圆), the university underscored its initiatives aimed at fostering integrity among faculty members. These initiatives include teacher ethics training programs, the selection of model educators, and the promotion of fairness and justice within the academic community.
Despite these measures, the recent scandal has exposed vulnerabilities in the university’s oversight mechanisms. The case has reignited discussions on the need for stricter policies to prevent academic misconduct and to ensure greater transparency in faculty-student relationships.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The scandal has triggered widespread debate on Chinese social media such as Weibo, with many netizens condemning the misuse of academic authority in relationships between professors and students. The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the power dynamics in Chinese higher education and the need for stricter enforcement of ethical guidelines.
As the investigation continues, the academic community awaits further developments and possible institutional reforms to address ethical lapses within universities. Many are calling for increased oversight to ensure that similar incidents do not compromise the integrity of China’s higher education system in the future.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Song Hailiang serves as a stark reminder of the critical role ethical conduct plays in academia. While Nanjing Normal University has taken swift action against Song, the case has exposed underlying issues regarding power imbalances and potential research favoritism in Chinese academia. The scandal underscores the need for universities to implement stronger safeguards to uphold academic integrity and maintain trust within the academic community.