Research

Our programme of lectures, seminars and conferences make us a hub for academic research on China.

With Lancaster University China Centre we host speakers from around the world in our Academic Seminar Series.

We work with Lancaster’s academic faculties, departments, centres and our partners, to organise high level research conferences which are attended by international academics.

Here are some of the other ways we facilitate research collaboration.

Visiting Scholars

The Confucius Institute welcomes scholars working in academic fields related to China or Chinese language and culture.

Please visit the Visiting Scholar page for more information.

Visiting Scholars

Seminars

We run a joint seminar series, with the Lancaster University China Centre, featuring speakers both from Lancaster University and other institutions.

Seminars

Annual Lectures

Since 2012 the Confucius Institute has hosted experts from across the world to speak at our Annual Lecture. Each year, eminent speakers give their perspective on their understanding of China.

Annual Lecture

Belt and Road Initiative Interdisciplinary Conference

The Belt and Road Initiative Interdisciplinary Conference at Lancaster University aims to serve as a dynamic platform for discussions on the latest Belt and Road Initiative developments and emerging research trends.

Belt and Road Initiative Interdisciplinary Conference

Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Training Day

This hybrid training day in collaboration with the Online Confucius Institute of The Open University, shares best practice in teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. Academics will share their insights on Virtual Exchange, Continuation Theory and Character Learning Strategies.

Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Training Day

New trends in Chinese as a Second Language Conference

New trends in Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) is an international conference focusing on Chinese as an additional language (L2, L3, L4, Ln).

New trends in Chinese as a Second Language
Six people stood in front of a Lancaster University Confucius Institute banner smiling at the camera.

‘China in 2030 and its Role in the World Economy’ by Professor Xiaolan Fu. Lancaster University Confucius Institute Annual Lecture 2023

On Wednesday 1 November 2023, economist, academic and Lancaster University alumna, Professor Xiaolan Fu, Professor of Technology and International Development from the University of Oxford, delivered her highly anticipated lecture on ‘China in 2030 and its Role in the World Economy’ at Lancaster University to a capacity audience of 120 people including staff, students, and academics from Lancaster University and other institutions as well as members of the public. 
Dr Mengke Li stood to the right of a presentation slide holding a microphone. The slide features the information of Dr Li

Lancaster University Confucius Institute Teaching Lead, Dr Mengke Li, presents her research at the ‘Seminar on Chinese Language Teaching in UK Universities 2023’ at Glasgow University

On Saturday 28 October 2023, Lancaster University Confucius Institute Teaching Lead, Dr Mengke Li, gave a well-received presentation on her research ‘The Challenges and Identity Shifts faced by British students during their one-year study abroad in China’ at the ‘Seminar on Chinese Language Teaching in UK Universities 2023’, hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) UK at Glasgow University.
Dr Mengke Li stood giving her presentation

Lancaster University Confucius Institute Teaching Lead, Dr Mengke Li, presents a paper at The 5th Harvard International Conference on Chinese Pedagogy

On 13-14 October 2023, Lancaster University Confucius Institute Teaching Lead, Dr Mengke Li, presented 'A Case Study of British Students’ Identity Transitions During One-year Study Abroad in China' at The 5th Harvard International Conference on Chinese Pedagogy in the United States.
New Trends in Chinese Second Language Acquisition conference attendees at Lancaster University

New Trends in Chinese as a Second Language Conference at Lancaster University

On 14 and 15 September 2023, the New Trends in Chinese as a Second Language Conference successfully took place at Lancaster University.
Two banners: One for the British Chinese Language Teaching Society and one for The University of Edinburgh Confucius Institute

British Chinese Language Teaching Society International Conference on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in the New Normal: Cross-Disciplinary Theory and Practice

From 29 June to 1 July 2023, Lancaster University Head of Department, Dr Derek Hird; Lancaster University Confucius Institute Director China, Professor Mei Yang; Teaching Lead, Dr Jocelin Lingxia Zhou and teachers Joly Xiao and Haoqian Hu attended the British Chinese Language Teaching Society International Conference on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in the New Normal: Cross-Disciplinary Theory and Practice at the University of Edinburgh.

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