On June 30, Center for Humanities Professor Yan WU received the Thomas D. Clareson Award from the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA) in a virtual awards ceremony for 2020. He is the first Chinese scholar to receive the award, which is one of the most prestigious awards in science fiction writing.

Professor Yan WU joined SUSTech in 2017, establishing the Research Center for Science and Human Imagination. It was the first research institution in China that combines psychology, futurology, and science fiction literature. He has worked with colleague and science fiction writer Yang LIU to publish several books, and win awards. The Center was selected as the joint curator of the Urban Upgrade section of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong City/Architecture Biennale (Shenzhen).

Winning the Thomas D. Clareson Award reflects the efforts Professor Yan WU has made in science fiction creation and research over the years. On receiving the award, Yan WU said that he is just a sci-fi lover who followed his own path as part of a life-long career.