Congratulations! | Quantum Ghost was officially published in People's Literature Issue 12, 2025

       At the end of 2025, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of SUSTech brought good news: First, in the middle of the year, the first part of Shenzhen's original science fiction trilogy "Cloud Body", which was created by the school, won the 2024 People's Literature Award "Special Style Award"; in December, the second part of the trilogy "Quantum Ghost" was also listed in the national core journal "People's Literature". These two achievements not only add to Shenzhen's "science fiction capital", but also reflect the achievements of the combination of science and technology and humanities of SUSTech.

"Cloud Body" won the award and brought sci-fi drama to the forefront

At the 2024 People's Literature Award Ceremony, "Cloud Body" was jointly prepared by Professor Chen Yuehong, Professor Wu Yan of Nanjing University of Science and Technology and Associate Professor Yin Di of Shenzhen University. It won the "Special Stylistic Award" for its depth of themes and special stylistic style - this is the first time that the mainstream literary community has focused on the recognition of science fiction scripts, and also allowed science fiction drama to enter the core field of literature.

"Quantum Ghost" is published, think deeply about the impact of science and technology

If "Cloud Body" is a preliminary exploration of the relationship between carbon-based and silicon-based people, then "Quantum Ghost" goes further and talks about the deep impact of technology on human society. This work, which has just appeared in "People's Literature", is set in the year 2060. There has been a breakthrough in artificial intelligence and quantum technology, but it has also triggered a global crisis of "silicon-based people replacing human beings". It also involves transnational capital struggles, laboratory fires, years of chasing, etc., and questions the bottom line of scientific and technological development and the status of human beings. In view of the fact that some works now casually use "quantum mechanics", Professor Wu Yan said that "Quantum Ghost" is from the real direction of technological development, and has a deep ethical, social and human perspective. Associate Professor Yin Di also said that although the plot is heavy, the human characters in the play are very active, and their strength and kindness can give the audience strength. In October this year, the play has been performed at SUSTech, with non-linear storytelling and stunning stage effects, giving the audience a lot of room for interpretation.

Promoting the trilogy and helping colleges and universities educate people

Shenzhen's original science fiction trilogy is the result of the cooperation of "one city, two universities, and three professors". In 2021, three professors, Chen Yuehong, Wu Yan, and Yin Di, found that Shenzhen's cultural facilities are good, but there are few original works, and technology and art are not well integrated. Therefore, it was decided to use "science fiction drama" as the carrier to break through the barriers of the two. The trilogy focuses on the three frontier areas of artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and synthetic biology, and considers scientific and technological issues step by step.

Currently, the third part is being prepared. From the award of "Cloud Body" to the publication of "Quantum Ghost", it is not only the creation of three plays, but also the practice of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of SUSTech to implement the construction of "new liberal arts". Relying on Shenzhen's high-tech environment, the college combines academic research, artistic creation and urban development, which not only promotes the development of university drama, but also better integrates science and technology, economy and culture, and helps urban development.

The future is here, and science fiction can help us think ahead. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences of SUSTech will continue to work in the field of science, technology and humanities to create more works with scientific depth and humanistic temperature, and contribute to the construction of Shenzhen culture and the development of Chinese science and fiction literature!