In the winter semester 2024/25, Prof. Bersick is on a research sabbatical. Among other activities, he conducted field research at Stanford University, the University of San Francisco, and the University of California San Diego.

Prof. Bersick conducted interviews with colleagues at Stanford University on the topic of research security as part of his fieldwork. He also visited colleagues for discussions at the University of San Francisco, the Wong Centre for the Study of Multinational Corporations, the University of California San Diego, and the University of California Los Angeles.

On November 30, 2024, Prof. Sebastian Bersick delivered a lecture on "EU-Asia Connectivity and Economic Security: Concepts, Conflicts, and Cooperation" at the University of Macerata (UniMC), Italy. The China Center at UniMC and the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) at RUB share a partnership active on multiple levels. Both institutions benefit from a shared understanding of academic excellence, which is implemented through collaborative projects in teaching and research.