On the evening of Monday 25 October, the Lau China Institute held its formal Opening Reception to launch our inaugural China Week. This event was a chance to gather together with the brightest minds on China for networking over canapes and drinks. During the reception, we welcomed special guests who presented their views on their hopes for the UNCOP26 in Glasgow, and looked at the opportunities for the UK and China to cooperate on driving vital action to address the impacts of climate change.

About the speakers

Professor Shitij Kapur, Principal & President of King's College London

Professor Kapur is the President and Principal of King's College London. Prior to his current appointment at King's, he was Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor (Health) for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and interim Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) at the University of Melbourne for more than four years. During 2007 to 2016, he had been the Dean and Head of School for the Institute of Psychiatry and the Founding Executive Dean of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's. During his time in Melbourne, Prof. Kapur significantly increased the educational footprint of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, introducing innovative models of learning, increasing both research income and impact, while doubling philanthropic support. Professor Kapur is recognised worldwide for his own research on understanding psychosis and antipsychotic treatment – with over 300 papers, which have been cited over 58,000 times. While at King’s he led NEWMEDS, an international consortium of scientists from 19 institutions from 9 EU countries, which was one of the largest academic-industry research collaboration projects in its time. He has received many awards and honorary fellowships, and has had a very long distinguished career in academia.

Professor Astrid Nordin, Lau Chair of Chinese International Relations, Lau China Institute

Professor Nordin is the Lau Chair of Chinese International Relations at the Lau China Institute of King's College London. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Institute for Social Futures (Lancaster University) and an Associate Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. Prior to King's, she was a Professor of World Politics and the Founding Director of Lancaster University China Centre. Astrid has significant experience in journalism as well as in developing institutional partnerships with Chinese institutions, setting up and leading academic organisations, and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects. Some of her research areas include critical approaches to war and security, Chinese international relations and cultural governance, and theories of politics and international relations.