Exeter hosts senior Tsinghua delegation for joint institute leadership discussions
The strategic vision of a landmark initiative in global humanities was the focus of a visit from one of the University’s key academic partners in China.
A senior delegation from Tsinghua University travelled to Exeter to discuss the progress and direction of the Exeter-Tsinghua Joint Institute for Global Humanities, which was founded in November, 2024.
This visit marked a significant step forward in the Institute’s mission to promote global dialogue and collaboration across disciplines, harnessing the power of the humanities to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Professor Li Li, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement, and co-director for the initiative, said: “The Institute represents a bold and forward-looking model of international collaboration in the humanities. By drawing on the complementary strengths of both institutions, we aim to foster ethical, sustainable, and globally impactful approaches to humanities research and education. We are excited to build a vibrant research community that reimagines the role of the humanities in shaping a more just and interconnected world.”
The Tsinghua delegation was led by Professor GUO Yong, Vice-Chairman of the University Council, and Professor WU Xia, Dean of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (DFLL), and other senior colleagues. It was hosted by Professor Dan Charman, Senior Vice-President and Provost of the University, alongside Professor Adam Watt, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS).
Professor Charman highlighted the shared commitment of Exeter and Tsinghua to interdisciplinary research, global engagement, and tackling the grand challenges of our time. He also emphasised that both institutions value the humanities not only as academic disciplines, but as crucial tools for understanding and shaping the future.
The leadership meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the Institute’s achievements over the past six months, including: Exeter student participation in the Tsinghua DFLL International Summer School; an exhibition of traditional bird-and-flower art and demonstration of calligraphy by well-known Chinese artist Mr TIAN Tian at the University; the doctoral forum on AI and Languages at Tsinghua; and the participation of Professor Rebecca Langlands at the World Conference on Classics in Beijing.
Speaking at the event, Professor GUO Yong said: “Our Institute has evolved into a dynamic platform for scholarly exchange and interdisciplinary research. Today’s meeting is not only a celebration of what we have achieved together, but it is also an invitation to envision what comes next. We hope to explore new frontiers of knowledge, strengthen academic ties, and inspire future generations to approach global issues with creativity, empathy, and common purpose.”
Earlier in the day, Professor Li organised an academic roundtable which brought together more than 30 participants for a rich and in-depth interdisciplinary discussion on the theme of ‘AI and Global Humanities’. It featured contributions from distinguished academics, including historian Professor Richard Toye and Professor Gabriella Giannachi, an expert in performance, AI, and creative technologies, as well as representatives from Tsinghua, Zhejiang University, the University of International Business and Economics, and University College London.
