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Kerry  Brown

Professor Kerry Brown

Director, Lau China Institute

  • Professor of Chinese Studies

Research interests

  • History
  • International development
  • International relations

Biography

Kerry Brown is Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College, London. He is an Associate of the Asia Pacific Programme at Chatham House, London, an adjunct of the Australia New Zealand School of Government in Melbourne, and the co-editor of the Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, run from the German Institute for Global Affairs in Hamburg. He is President-Elect of the Kent Archaeological Society and an Affiliate of the Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit at Cambridge University.

From 2012 to 2015, he was Professor of Chinese Politics and Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Australia. Prior to this he worked at Chatham House from 2006 to 2012, as Senior Fellow and then Head of the Asia Programme. From 1998 to 2005 he worked at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing, and then as Head of the Indonesia, Philippine and East Timor Section. He lived in the Inner Mongolia region of China from 1994 to 1996.

Kerry has a Master of Arts from Cambridge University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Mandarin Chinese (Distinction) from Thames Valley University, London, and a PhD in Chinese politics and language from Leeds University. Kerry directed the Europe China Research and Advice Network (ECRAN) giving policy advice to the European External Action Service between 2011 and 2014.

He is the author of almost 20 books on modern Chinese politics, and has written for every major international news outlet, and been interviewed by every major news channel on issues relating to contemporary China.

`中文简介:凯瑞·布朗,1967年生于英国肯特郡,曾在剑桥大学接受教育,并在利兹大学攻读博士学位。是英国著名的中国研究领域的教授,英国伦敦国王学院“刘氏中国研究院”主任,英国皇家国际事务研究所亚太项目副研究员。2012年至2015年,任悉尼大学中国政治学教授和中国研究中心主任,并主持“欧洲-中国研究与咨询网络”工作,向欧盟对外行动署提供政策建议。2006年至2012年,在位于伦敦的英国皇家国际事务研究所任高级研究员,亚洲项目负责人。1998年,加入英国外交与联邦事务部,在北京任一等秘书,然后转调至伦敦,任印度尼西亚及东帝汶事务科科长。曾著有二十本关于当代中国的著作

Research 

  • Chinese history post-1949
  • Chinese political economy
  • Chinese elite politics, particularly the function and development of the Communist part of China
  • Chinese international relations, particularly UK-China and EU-China relations
  • Taiwanese history and politics
  • Hong Kong history and politics

Teaching

  • 7YYC0009 China's International Relations (1949-present)

PhD supervision

Kerry welcomes students specialising in Chinese politics, contemporary Chinese history, and Chinese or Taiwanese international relations. 

Further details

See Kerry's research profile

    Research

    REDCARU
    Religious and Ethnic Diversity in China and Asia Research Unit (REDCARU)

    A forum for academics, postdoctoral researchers, and students from around the world with an interest in religious and ethnic life among peoples in Asia and overseas Asians.

    News

    The Taiwan Story: Why the issue of Taiwan and China matters

    The United States has played an important role in mediating the tensions over Taiwan in China. The election of Trump in 2024 makes a precarious situation even...

    China-Taiwan 780x440

    COMMENT: Can the UK have a stronger relationship with China?

    Keir Starmer became the first British Prime Minister to meet President Xi Jinping in more than 6 years earlier this week. Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese...

    UK and china

    COMMENT: Kerry Brown on UK Foreign Secretary's meeting with Wang Yi

    Professor Kerry Brown spoke to CGTN Europe about the UK Foreign Secretary's meeting with Wang Yi this month, and what it means for the relationship between...

    David Lammy

    COMMENT: Why it's becoming harder to get super-rich in China

    China's rapid economic growth has brought with it a rise in the super rich, but amidst a slowing economy, for some of China's billionaires that wealth comes...

    Rolls Royce_China

    King's strengthens partnerships and explores future opportunities in Asia

    Led by Vice-Chancellor & President Professor Shitij Kapur, the King’s delegation visited Singapore, Mainland China and Hong Kong to meet partner universities,...

    The inaugural class of the SUSTech-King's School of Medicine at their enrolment ceremony in Shenzhen.

    COMMENT - US-China relations: What would a re-election of Trump mean in Beijing?

    Director of the Lau China Institute, Professor Kerry Brown, spoke to BBC World News about what US-China relations might look like if Trump were to be...

    US and China

    'Britain needs a China story': academic says current UK-China relations need be to viewed through the prism of history

    Unfamiliarity with its own history is stopping the UK from developing a clear and pragmatic relationship with China, according to a leading expert, and author...

    UK and china

    Xi Jinping's European tour - A comment by Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute

    As President Xi Jinping concludes his European trip by meeting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Hungary today, Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China...

    Xi Jinping

    Conference to examine growing divide between global superpowers

    An upcoming conference will examine the growing divide between China and the US and the emerging perception of a new Cold War.

    EuropePng

    Mongolia's Challenges and Opportunities - A new report

    Experts discuss the current prospects and challenges for Mongolia for the year ahead

    Map of Mongolia on the border of Russia and China

    Events

    18Sep

    Book talk - The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power

    Current UK-China relations have encountered increased turbulence, making it more important than ever to understand their rich and complex joint history. Join...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    07Mar

    Book talk - There and back again: Why China is returning to poverty and isolation

    Author Anne Stevenson-Yang joins us to discuss her new book 'Wild Ride' about the opening and closing of the Chinese economy.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    16Oct

    Opening panel & reception - How to engage with China: opportunities and risks

    What are the risks and benefits for UK-China research collaboration? Experts from UK government, academia and industry discuss key questions in current...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    17Oct

    Book talk - Discourse, rhetoric and shifting political behaviour in China

    Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Riga Stradins University discusses the rule of Xi Jinping and the rhetoric of the contemporary Chinese political system in this book...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    16Jun

    The Demise of the Global Market Economy and the Rise of a Two-sphere World

    Are we seeing the demise of the global market economy?

    Please note: this event has passed.

    28Mar

    After Autonomy: A Post-Mortem for Hong Kong’s First Handover, 1997-2019 - Book presentation & discussion with special guests

    Online discussion with Daniel Vukovich on the occasion of the publication of his latest book, After Autonomy: A Post-Mortem for Hong Kong’s First Handover,...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    15Feb

    Mongolia – Opportunities and challenges in 2023

    Launch event of a new report between King's College London and Cambridge University on the opportunities and challenges for Mongolia in 2023.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    16Feb

    The Demise of the Global Market Economy and the Rise of a two-sphere World

    Are we seeing the demise of the global market economy?

    Please note: this event has passed.

    21Oct

    China Week 2022 – Closing reception and networking

    After a week of dynamic discussions on all things Digital China, mingle with old and new friends over canapes, drinks and live music, as we thank you for your...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    18Oct

    China’s EnviroTech Landscape: Panel Discussion and 'Meet the Innovators'

    Hear from a diverse panel, including academics, business leaders and environmental experts, to gain an insight into the latest industry innovations, policy...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    How the election of two new Presidents in 2024 could influence the future of the Taiwan issue

    In this video, PROFESSOR KERRY BROWN explains the Taiwan issue and how the new Presidents in USA and Taiwan could shape the future of this geopolitical...

    China-Taiwan

    How TikTok got caught in the crosshairs of US-China politics

    Donald Trump’s threat to ban TikTok is only the latest in a series of clashes between the US and China.

    Donald Trump

    Informing the public debate on COVID-19

    Academics from across the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are helping us all better understand the huge societal shifts created by the COVID-19...

    Newspapers Image

    Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?

    Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...

    shipping-containers-1096829_1920

    King's contribution to coronavirus response

    King's academics and researchers are supporting ongoing research and conversation addressing the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Coronavirus promo

    Spotlight

    Helping to build bridges between East and West

    The rise to prominence of China and North Korea on the world stage has posed new problems for nations in the West, who are used to working with partners...

    The Korean peninsula has been the focus of research for King's academics.

      Research

      REDCARU
      Religious and Ethnic Diversity in China and Asia Research Unit (REDCARU)

      A forum for academics, postdoctoral researchers, and students from around the world with an interest in religious and ethnic life among peoples in Asia and overseas Asians.

      News

      The Taiwan Story: Why the issue of Taiwan and China matters

      The United States has played an important role in mediating the tensions over Taiwan in China. The election of Trump in 2024 makes a precarious situation even...

      China-Taiwan 780x440

      COMMENT: Can the UK have a stronger relationship with China?

      Keir Starmer became the first British Prime Minister to meet President Xi Jinping in more than 6 years earlier this week. Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese...

      UK and china

      COMMENT: Kerry Brown on UK Foreign Secretary's meeting with Wang Yi

      Professor Kerry Brown spoke to CGTN Europe about the UK Foreign Secretary's meeting with Wang Yi this month, and what it means for the relationship between...

      David Lammy

      COMMENT: Why it's becoming harder to get super-rich in China

      China's rapid economic growth has brought with it a rise in the super rich, but amidst a slowing economy, for some of China's billionaires that wealth comes...

      Rolls Royce_China

      King's strengthens partnerships and explores future opportunities in Asia

      Led by Vice-Chancellor & President Professor Shitij Kapur, the King’s delegation visited Singapore, Mainland China and Hong Kong to meet partner universities,...

      The inaugural class of the SUSTech-King's School of Medicine at their enrolment ceremony in Shenzhen.

      COMMENT - US-China relations: What would a re-election of Trump mean in Beijing?

      Director of the Lau China Institute, Professor Kerry Brown, spoke to BBC World News about what US-China relations might look like if Trump were to be...

      US and China

      'Britain needs a China story': academic says current UK-China relations need be to viewed through the prism of history

      Unfamiliarity with its own history is stopping the UK from developing a clear and pragmatic relationship with China, according to a leading expert, and author...

      UK and china

      Xi Jinping's European tour - A comment by Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute

      As President Xi Jinping concludes his European trip by meeting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Hungary today, Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China...

      Xi Jinping

      Conference to examine growing divide between global superpowers

      An upcoming conference will examine the growing divide between China and the US and the emerging perception of a new Cold War.

      EuropePng

      Mongolia's Challenges and Opportunities - A new report

      Experts discuss the current prospects and challenges for Mongolia for the year ahead

      Map of Mongolia on the border of Russia and China

      Events

      18Sep

      Book talk - The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power

      Current UK-China relations have encountered increased turbulence, making it more important than ever to understand their rich and complex joint history. Join...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      07Mar

      Book talk - There and back again: Why China is returning to poverty and isolation

      Author Anne Stevenson-Yang joins us to discuss her new book 'Wild Ride' about the opening and closing of the Chinese economy.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      16Oct

      Opening panel & reception - How to engage with China: opportunities and risks

      What are the risks and benefits for UK-China research collaboration? Experts from UK government, academia and industry discuss key questions in current...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      17Oct

      Book talk - Discourse, rhetoric and shifting political behaviour in China

      Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Riga Stradins University discusses the rule of Xi Jinping and the rhetoric of the contemporary Chinese political system in this book...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      16Jun

      The Demise of the Global Market Economy and the Rise of a Two-sphere World

      Are we seeing the demise of the global market economy?

      Please note: this event has passed.

      28Mar

      After Autonomy: A Post-Mortem for Hong Kong’s First Handover, 1997-2019 - Book presentation & discussion with special guests

      Online discussion with Daniel Vukovich on the occasion of the publication of his latest book, After Autonomy: A Post-Mortem for Hong Kong’s First Handover,...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      15Feb

      Mongolia – Opportunities and challenges in 2023

      Launch event of a new report between King's College London and Cambridge University on the opportunities and challenges for Mongolia in 2023.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      16Feb

      The Demise of the Global Market Economy and the Rise of a two-sphere World

      Are we seeing the demise of the global market economy?

      Please note: this event has passed.

      21Oct

      China Week 2022 – Closing reception and networking

      After a week of dynamic discussions on all things Digital China, mingle with old and new friends over canapes, drinks and live music, as we thank you for your...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      18Oct

      China’s EnviroTech Landscape: Panel Discussion and 'Meet the Innovators'

      Hear from a diverse panel, including academics, business leaders and environmental experts, to gain an insight into the latest industry innovations, policy...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      How the election of two new Presidents in 2024 could influence the future of the Taiwan issue

      In this video, PROFESSOR KERRY BROWN explains the Taiwan issue and how the new Presidents in USA and Taiwan could shape the future of this geopolitical...

      China-Taiwan

      How TikTok got caught in the crosshairs of US-China politics

      Donald Trump’s threat to ban TikTok is only the latest in a series of clashes between the US and China.

      Donald Trump

      Informing the public debate on COVID-19

      Academics from across the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are helping us all better understand the huge societal shifts created by the COVID-19...

      Newspapers Image

      Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?

      Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...

      shipping-containers-1096829_1920

      King's contribution to coronavirus response

      King's academics and researchers are supporting ongoing research and conversation addressing the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

      Coronavirus promo

      Spotlight

      Helping to build bridges between East and West

      The rise to prominence of China and North Korea on the world stage has posed new problems for nations in the West, who are used to working with partners...

      The Korean peninsula has been the focus of research for King's academics.