A new partnership between the University of Bath and Fudan University will strengthen international collaboration on sustainability and climate governance, creating new opportunities for research, education and student exchange between the UK and China. The agreement builds on a growing programme of joint activity between the two institutions, including a workshop bringing together leading Chinese climate governance experts, held on 4 July in Shanghai.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalises collaboration between the University of Bath and Fudan University, one of China's top universities. It will support joint research, academic exchange and the development of future educational initiatives, including student mobility and potential dual degree programmes.
The partnership has grown from a long-standing collaboration led by Professor Yixian Sun, a core member of the University of Bath's Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC), and Professor of Sustainability Governance in the Department of Social and Policy Sciences. Over the past five years, researchers from both institutions have worked together on research projects, publications and academic exchanges focused on sustainability governance and climate change.
A key focus of the collaboration is advancing research on global sustainability challenges. The partnership will strengthen links between Bath's ISCC, the new Bath Centre for Earth System Governance Research and Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs, supporting research with relevance for both policy and practice.
As the first step of this collaboration, Bath and Fudan co-hosted ‘The Shifting Landscape of Global Climate Governance’, a high-level workshop examining how international climate cooperation is evolving in response to geopolitical change. The event, supported by the University’s International Relations Office through the Key International Strategic Partnerships Fund (KISPF), brought together leading experts from universities, government agencies, and research organisations across China alongside researchers from Bath.
Discussions at the workshop explored developments in multilateral climate governance, the growing links between climate change, trade, finance and development, and China's role in shaping future global climate governance. Participants underscored that although recent geopolitical turbulence has undermined climate action, China can help advance global sustainability transitions. By identifying future research priorities, the workshop created new opportunities for collaboration between researchers at both institutions.
Professor Yixian Sun said:
We are honoured to have the opportunity to establish a strategic partnership with a leading Chinese institution such as Fudan University. Bath and Fudan have among the best research teams in the UK and China respectively in the field of climate governance, and we look forward to joining forces to produce more impactful research to accelerate global sustainability transition.
Professor Deborah Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bath said:
I am delighted that we have formalised our longstanding relationship with Fudan University through this Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership reflects the University of Bath's commitment to working with leading international institutions to address global challenges and expand opportunities for research, education, and societal impact.
Professor Su Changhe, Dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) at Fudan University said:
In the face of profound changes in global governance and new challenges in the post-2030 era, international cooperation is more important than ever. Fudan University will work closely with the University of Bath to make full use of both institutions' academic strengths, deepening collaboration in areas such as global governance and sustainable development. Through staff visits, student exchanges and joint research, we will nurture future leaders and help build a sustainable future for all.