About UCCI
Our purpose is to help promising China researchers develop the analytical and professional skills needed beyond academia, and to make their knowledge more accessible and useful to organisations that need it.
Those organisations, in turn, have a practical role in shaping the skills and expertise they need.
Why UCCI exists
Strong academic research does not by itself provide the analytical, professional and communication experience needed in policy, business and other applied settings.
At the same time, organisations working on China often have limited ways to identify emerging expertise, contribute to its development or engage with new research.
UCCI works on both sides of that gap.
The Research Forum began as a way for students and early-career researchers to test original China research through serious presentation, discussion and expert feedback.
Across four years, the Forums have brought together BA, MA and PhD researchers from universities across the UK, with growing international participation. Research has been presented in English and Mandarin and discussed with academics and practitioners.
UCCI takes that tested model further: developing the Forum into a wider programme of research development, applied translation and institutional connection.
Team
Co-Founder & Research Lead
Sam is a Chinese Studies graduate and Director of The Meridian Society. He holds a BA in Chinese from SOAS, where his research focused on Qing dynasty history, and will shortly begin a master’s in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies at Nazarbayev University and SOAS. Sam has helped lead the China-Focused Research Forum since its inception and oversees UCCI’s research programme, university relationships and academic network.
Co-Founder & Programme Lead
Matt is a China policy analyst specialising in PRC policy, trade and regulation. He works as a Key Expert on the EU-funded EUCLERA programme, covering trade, industry, investment and regional policy, alongside independent research focused particularly on agriculture and agri-food trade. Matt holds an MA in Chinese Studies from SOAS and previously spent eight years living and working in Shanghai. At UCCI, he leads programme strategy, institutional partnerships and engagement with policy and business.
Contact and partnership
For programme, partnership or Research Forum enquiries, we would be glad to hear from you.