Bath delegation meets senior leaders at Tsinghua University
Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, Professor Phil Taylor, has been appointed an Honorary Professor of Tsinghua University in Beijing. The distinction recognises his academic leadership and longstanding commitment to research collaboration between the two institutions, and to broader partnerships between the UK and China.
Tsinghua University conferred the professorship during a visit last week, where Professor Taylor delivered a guest lecture on designing future energy systems. In his address, he called for more flexible, multi-energy systems that meet climate goals while remaining resilient and affordable as conditions change.
Speaking on his appointment, Professor Taylor said: “I feel deeply privileged to receive this recognition. It reflects the strength of the partnership between our two institutions, especially our shared commitment to advancing the future of energy systems. “I am delighted to continue deepening our partnership, which brings immense opportunity for impactful research at a time when global collaboration is essential to tackling the world’s most urgent challenges.”
Professor Taylor has built longstanding partnerships with universities and industry in China, including leading an academic delegation to the Greater Bay Area of China to advance collaboration on low-carbon development, and hosting the China-UK Future Energy System Development Forum at the University of Bath in 2024. Last year, he was made a Fellow of the Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering (CSEE), the highest academic honour it bestows on international experts.
Professor Zeng Rong, Executive Vice President of Tsinghua University, extended his congratulations on Professor Taylor’s appointment, saying: “Tsinghua University and the University of Bath share a strong foundation of collaboration across multiple disciplines, particularly in electrical engineering and energy systems. Professor Taylor has an outstanding international influence in the field of energy systems and his significant contributions to fostering academic exchange and cooperation between the two universities.”
Professor Zeng Rong expressed his hope that collaboration between the universities would be strengthened and broadened across an even wider range of areas, contributing to deeper dialogue and mutual understanding between the two countries.
Professor Chongqing Kang, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University, said: “We look forward to his continued engagement, anticipating that his insights will greatly advance our joint research initiatives, particularly in the field of future energy systems and power markets, and inspire our current and future faculty and students.”
A globally recognised researcher and expert in energy systems, Professor Taylor has more than 30 years of experience in both industry and academia.
He has held senior leadership roles at the University of Bristol, University of Durham and Newcastle University, and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Higher Education Academy. His industry experience includes several years at GEC Alstom, EPS (UK), Teradyne, and Senergy Econnect, where he held the position of Research and Development Director.
Professor Taylor’s visit to Beijing marks a deepening commitment from the University of Bath to expand research partnerships in China to address global challenges such as climate change.