Chinese and British research experts unite to help solve major problems

Experts from the University of Birmingham (UK) today joined partners at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to lay the foundation for joint research that could help to solve major problems facing both countries.

Research specialists in the area of environmental and earth sciences from Birmingham and Beijing have kick-started a partnership that will investigate areas such as air pollution, nano-materials and environmental genomics – or how people’s genetic health responds to environmental challenges.

Experts discussed future collaboration in areas such as river ecosystems, geological problems, such as tectonic movement, and using fossil research to better understand how past environments can help us tackle current climate issues.

Today’s inaugural workshop, in Beijing, was opened by University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood and Immediate Past Vice President of CAS Professor Jinghai Li.

Representatives of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the UK Research Councils also attended the event.

Professor Sir David Eastwood said: “The University of Birmingham is proud to work with our partners at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to find common solutions to shared problems. This innovative union of experts is looking at working together to map out an exciting research pathway for future development.

“This partnership with CAS is testament to our growing reputation in China and presents another exciting opportunity for Birmingham’s researchers to foster strong international partnerships. As a global ‘civic’ university, we have a responsibility to enriching the life of our home city and the wider world.”

The research workshop is part of a developing relationship between the University and CAS, the largest and most prestigious Chinese research organisation.

Professor Jinghai Li said: “Environment and climate are both global issues, calling for joint efforts worldwide. Existing collaborations between CAS institutes and the University of Birmingham have been fruitful. We hope this workshop and other exchange activities will bring the bilateral collaborations to a new level.”

Today’s workshop builds on existing links between the University of Birmingham and CAS. It sees Chinese and British researchers working together strategically to plan how they can make a greater impact in environmental sciences in the UK and China, through developing long-term programmes in collaborative research, staff/student exchanges and developing new technologies.

• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.
• The Chinese Academy of Sciences focusses China’s drive to explore and harness high technology and the natural sciences for the benefit of China and the world. Comprising a comprehensive research and development network, a merit-based learned society and a system of higher education, CAS brings together scientists and engineers from China and around the world to address both theoretical and applied problems using world-class scientific and management approaches.

For more information or interviews , please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 414 8254 or +44 (0)782 783 2312. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165.