ABCP

ABCP-CBAIA Workshop on AI Safety
2025-05-03 10:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Room 421, Nunn Hall, IOE, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, London, Room 421, Nunn Hall, IOE, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, London, Greater London, WC1H 0AL, United Kingdom
Introduction
Based on a successful webinar jointly organised by Institute of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS) at the University of Kent, Specialty Committee on AI and Cyber Security of ABCP (Association of British Chinese Professors), and CBAIA (China-Britain Artificial Intelligence Association) on 28 February 2025, ABCP and CBAIA are working together to organise a joint Workshop on AI Safety on 3rd May Saturday at IOE, UCL.
As implied by its name, the theme of the workshop will be around how to safeguard AI especially frontier AI models and systems such as large language models (LLMs), large vision models (LVMs) and other large AI models and systems.
The event will be held as an in-person event to allow more effective exchanges and discussions between participants, in the form of some light talks and roundtable discussions towards future R&I collaboration and joint grant applications. Remote participation may be allowed for some sessions.
At the event, we will discuss relevant ongoing and forthcoming funding calls and participants’ potential responses to such calls. These will include calls from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, UKRI, DSIT AISI (AI Security Institute), ARIA’s Safeguarded AI programme, and other funders including large technology companies (e.g., Google Academic Research Awards and Amazon Science AI for Information Security).
To simplify the organisation of the event, we will order a delivered lunch for all participants. After the event, we recommend participants to split into smaller groups to have dinner separately (costs covered by themselves), which can help facilitate more follow-up discussions.
The event is mainly for ABCP and CBAIA Members, but we also welcome non-members to attend if they are interested in developing and/or supporting R&I activities related to AI safety.
EoI Registration
If you are interested in attending the workshop, please register your expression of interest (EoI) using the following form by 25th April Friday:
https://forms.gle/rEuu9W1TKziaxfhF8
Tentative Agenda (* = remote participation may be considered)

10:00-11:00: Arrival and registration
11:00-11:10 (*): Welcome and introduction
11:10-12:10 (*): Light talks by some participants
12:10-13:00: Lunch and networking
13:00-14:00 (*): Brief introduction of each other’s work and R&I interests
14:00-14:30 (*): Introduction to some ongoing and future funding opportunities
14:30-16:00: Break-out group discussions on potential R&I collaboration and joint grant applications
16:00-17:00 (*): Feedback from group discussions and concluding remarks
After 17:00: Further networking and self-organised dinners of separate sub-groups

Organising Committee

Professor Shujun Li (李树钧教授), Professor of Cyber Security & Director, Institute of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS), University of Kent; VP for IT & Governance and Co-Chair of Specialty Committee on AI and Cyber Security, ABCP
Dr Jindong Gu (顾金东博士), Senior Research Scientist, Google; Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford
Dr Kezhi (Ken) Li (李克之博士), Associate Professor in AI in Healthcare, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London; Executive/Research Fellow, CBAIA
Dr Zhenhai Li (李振海博士), Executive/Research Fellow, CBAIA
Dr Tengfei Yin (尹腾飞博士), Software Development Engineer, Amazon; Executive/Research Fellow, CBAIA

Developing Leadership Skills in Academia
2025-09-26 13:00 - 14:00 | virtual
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker

Professor Nan Jiang (江南教授), Professor in Human Computer Interaction & Head of School of Computing and Engineering, Bournemouth University
Professor Xianghua Xie (谢向华教授), Professor in Computer Vision and Machine Learning & Head of Department of Computer Science, Swansea University

Abstract
Leadership is pivotal in shaping both individuals and organisations. Cultivating these skills early can not only accelerate personal growth but also enhance the success of others. In this event, our panellists will share their insights and experiences — from the early stages of academia to senior leadership roles.
Facilitators

Dr Yakun Ju (举雅琨博士), Lecturer, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Leicester
Professor Huabing Yin (尹华兵教授), Professor of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow

How to participate?
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 865 1866 0510
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fellowship Application Guide for Early-Career Researchers
2025-10-31 13:00 - 14:00 | virtual
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker
Dr Yunjie Yang, Senior Lecturer,University of Edinburgh
Dr Yang is a recipient of an ERC Starting Grant, previously served as a Chancellor’s Fellow in Data Driven Innovation and a Bayes Innovation Fellow. He leads the UoE SMART Group, dedicated to advancing research in autonomous physical artificial intelligence.
Dr Yu Fu, Senior Lecturer, University of Liverpool
Dr Fu is an NIHR Advanced Fellow based at the Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, has a background spanning medicine, public health and applied health research. Her work focuses on mental health inequalities and multimorbidity, and her research has secured more than £4 million in funding.
Abstract
No matter which academic discipline you belong to, securing a prestigious fellowship or grant can be a turning point in your research career. It provides freedom, funding, and recognition for your research, thereby accelerating your professional development. If you are looking to take the next step in your career, you are warmly invited to join this month’s “Monthly Talk” seminar.
This session will walk you through the application processes for the following funding opportunities:

ERC Starting Grant – European Research Council funding scheme for researchers in science and engineering.
NIHR Advanced Fellowship – National Institute for Health and Care Research programme for researchers in health and care fields.

Guest speakers who have successfully obtained these competitive awards will share their valuable experiences and insights. You will learn:

How to craft a persuasive application or project proposal
How to navigate the application and interview process effectively
How fellowships and grants can shape your path toward research independence

Whether you are preparing to apply for a research grant or simply exploring career development opportunities in academia, this seminar will offer practical strategies and first-hand insights to help you expand your professional horizons. We warmly welcome your participation.
How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 344 374 614 314 9
Passcode: [REDACTED]

A Conversation with Professor Daqing Ma
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:00 | virtual
Shaping the Future: Lessons from a Lifetime of Achievement
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker
Professor Daqing Ma (马大青教授), Imperial College London, UK & Zhejiang University, China
Professor Ma, a recent awardee of the “World Outstanding Chinese Doctor Fok Ying Tung Award”, is an internationally recognised pioneer in organoprotection. Starting his career as a medical doctor in China, he has built a distinguished academic profile, leading discoveries on how general anaesthetics used in cancer surgery affect patient outcomes and developing strategies now used worldwide to prevent and treat postoperative delirium.

Facilitator
Professor Jianhua Wu (巫建华教授), Professor of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), UK
Abstract
Whether you are a medical student, clinician, researcher, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this conversation will offer inspiring insights and candid reflections from a world-leading Chinese physician-scientist. Don’t miss it—mark your calendars and join us!
How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 341 886 413 954 38
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Academic Career Pathway Transitions
2026-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | virtual
Academic Career Pathway Transitions — From Academic Pathways to Diverse Futures.
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker
Dr Vanissa Wanick, Senior Lecturer in Interaction Design, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton
Dr Vanissa’s academic career spans teaching, research, and industry practice. She progressed from Teaching Fellow to Senior Lecturer while actively engaging in Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects and co‑founding an industry company. Her research focuses on game design, human–computer interaction (HCI), and creative technologies, with particular attention to civic engagement, diversity, sustainability, and cross‑cultural design. In this talk, she will explore how to gradually build an integrated academic career pathway that weaves together teaching, research, and industry collaboration.

Dr Sara Zi Wang, Assistant Professor, University of Nottingham
Dr Sara’s research focuses on intelligent manufacturing and three‑dimensional layout optimisation, integrating digital twins, industrial robotics, and machine learning to support advanced manufacturing and the aerospace sector. She transitioned from a research‑focused academic pathway to a role that balances both teaching and research, and has developed deep collaborations with leading international companies such as GKN, Airbus, and Siemens. The ELCAT project she contributed to received the 2025 Project of the Year Award from the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). In this talk, she will discuss how research can enrich teaching, and share her reflections and practical experiences on academic career transitions within engineering and manufacturing.

Facilitator
Dr Shan Wang, Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton
Abstract
In today’s higher education landscape, academic careers are becoming increasingly diverse. Transitions from teaching-focused roles to teaching-and-research profiles, and from research-only positions to pathways that integrate teaching, research, and industry engagement, are now increasingly common.
To support early-career academics and researchers navigating these changes, this session brings together two speakers from Arts & Humanities and Science & Engineering to share candid reflections on their career transitions — including motivations, challenges, decision points, and lessons learned.
Format and Audience
The format of the webinar is short talks + joint Q&A
The target audience is early-career academics/researchers (ECRs) and anyone interested in academic career development and pathway transitions.
We warmly welcome you to join the discussion — and please feel free to share with colleagues and friends who may find it helpful.
How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 372 003 061 660 66
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Meet the Editors from Work, Employment and Society (WES)
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | virtual
Meet the Editors – Dr Knut Laaser and Professor Valeria Pulignano from Work, Employment and Society (WES)
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Video Recording
https://abcp.org.uk/files/webinars/20260327_ABCP_monthly_talk.mp4
Speaker

Dr Knut Laaser is a Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations at King’s Business School and Research Theme Lead for Sustainable Leadership at the Centre for Sustainable Business. His research interests include the politics of meaningful and meaningless work, the moral economy of work and employment, social theory and work, labor process analysis, and the changing nature of bank work. Dr Knut Laaser’s research has been published in Work, Employment and Society, International Journal of Management Reviews, Organization, International Journal of Human Resource Management, and other journals. His study on meaningful work published in WES received the WES SAGE Innovation Prize (2023). He has served as an editor of WES since 2022 and was a member of the journal’s editorial board from 2019 to 2022.

Professor Valeria Pulignano is Professor in Sociology at the Centre for Sociological Research (CESO) – KU Leuven. She is titularis of a Francqui Stichting Research Professorship mandate (2023-2026), member of Leuven.AI – KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Fellow at IRRU University of Warwick and LISER (Luxembourg), Co-Researcher at CRIMT (Centre for Globalisation and Work) at the University of Montreal and Laval in Canada, and an Associate Fellow at the ESRC Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit). Her research focuses on comparative European employment relations, labour markets, and employment issues, with particular attention to labour market dualisation, inequality, precarious employment, worker voice, and job quality. She has served as an editor of WES since 2023, and her work has been published in leading journals such as WES, Human Relations, and Sociology.
Abstract
WES is looking for your most ambitious research. As a leading peer-reviewed journal of the British Sociological Association, WES publishes work that shapes debates across the field — from industrial relations to domestic divisions of labour — with strong international visibility and a commitment to inclusive editorial support. During the session, you’ll learn about:

What the journal is really looking for
Typical issues often seen in submissions related to China
Practical guidance to overcome Pulignanotfalls

Whether you are preparing your first journal submission or planning your next publication strategy, you are very welcome to join us. We’d love to see you there — and please help spread the word by sharing this post with colleagues and friends.
How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 377 292 425 899 89
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Meet FRS Professor Kevin Kendall
2026-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | virtual
Meet FRS Professor Kevin Kendall – Discussing Energy Transitions in China and Britain
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker

Professor Kevin Kendall has long been dedicated to research on nanoparticles and sustainable energy technologies, with pioneering contributions particularly in hydrogen fuel systems. He has authored six scholarly monographs and published several hundred research papers, and has played a leading role in collaborations across academia and industry. His work has advanced the development and real‑world deployment of clean transportation solutions, strengthening the United Kingdom’s innovation capacity in this field. Professor Kendall was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1993.
Abstract
Since 2015, Professor Kevin Kendall has worked with industry partners in China to reduce urban transport emissions through hydrogen energy and nanocatalysts as alternatives to combustion vehicles. Drawing on these collaborations, he will discuss how hydrogen and nanoparticle catalysts can support cleaner cities, alongside Asia’s rapid progress in electrolysers and nanoscale catalyst applications—illustrated by Guangzhou operating roughly one thousand times more ‘London hydrogen buses’ than London itself. He will also outline what it may take for the United Kingdom to position itself as a leading demonstration country for green‑hydrogen electric vehicles.
During the session, you will learn about:

Hydrogen and nano-catalysts for clean transport
Key observations from China’s rapid progress in electrolysers and nano-applications
Reflections on UK demonstrator pathways for green hydrogen mobility

How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 364 000 857 711 809
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fellowship and Research Funding Application Experience Sharing
2026-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 | virtual
Fellowship and Research Funding Application Experience Sharing
This event is organised by the EDI Working Group of ABCP as part of its “每月一谈” (“EDI Monthly Talk”) series.
Speaker

Dr Fabrizia Foglia is Associate Professor in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry from Department of Chemistry, Unversity College London. She has been awarded awarded an EPSRC Early Career Fellowship (2022). Her main research focuese on high‑performance nanostructure design and how to optimise their performance by carefully tailoring structure-relaxation dynamics correlations.

Professor Guanjie He a Professor in Materials Chemistry and Engineering, and an ERC Starting Grant Awardee at UCL. He is serving as Vice-Dean (International) at the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM). He has received multiple academic honours, including the 2023–2025 Rising Star of Science Award, and co‑founded Element 30 Ltd., advancing the commercialisation of zinc‑based energy‑storage systems.
Abstract
This session will focus on two fellowship schemes for early-career scientists: the EPSRC Open Fellowship and the ERC Starting Grant. This session will draw on the speakers’ real application experiences to help participants better understand the key stages of Fellowship and Grant applications. Whether you are currently preparing an application or simply wish to learn more about pathways toward research independence, you are warmly invited to join this discussion.
During the session, you will learn about:

How to craft a persuasive application or project proposal
How to navigate the application and interview process effectively
How fellowships and grants can shape your path toward research independence

How to participate?
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 374 477 484 375 754
Passcode: [REDACTED]

2026 7th Annual Conference of the ABCP
2026-08-28 - 2026-08-29 | Ray Dolby Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Ray Dolby Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0US, United Kingdom
The 2026 7th Annual Conference of the ABCP will be held on 28-29 August 2026 (Friday and Saturday). The Conference will be a hybrid event with both participants attending on the campus of the University of Cambridge and remote participants. For more details about the Conference, please visit the Conference’s website.
