Tongji University and the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations visit BSP

Prof. Lauren Andres, BSP Director of Research, and Prof. Mike Raco, BSP Head of Department, welcomed Professor Liu Shuyan, Director of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Professor Huang Lihe, Deputy Director of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tongji University recently. 

The Tongji delegation was joined by representatives from the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations (SFSSA), including Executive President Wang Weisong and Director Liang Qing. The Bartlett School of Planning alumna, Yuxi Xiong, also joined the delegation.

This visit followed Prof. Andres and Prof. Raco’s trip to Shanghai in March and aimed to explore future partnerships between UCL, Tongji University, and SFSSA. The team shares a strong interest in AI, cities, and urban governance, and will now begin developing a range of collaborative research initiatives in this area.

Prof. Andres said: “It was a great pleasure and honour to welcome this delegation from Tongji University and SFSSA. This visit continues a series of collaborations we have been developing since September 2025 in both Shanghai and Beijing. I am delighted to see these partnerships evolving and opening a range of exciting and highly topical initiatives between our institutions.”

Prof. Raco added: “The theme of AI, urban governance and cities is a crucial priority for research in urban planning and studies. It aligns directly with the work we are currently undertaking with colleagues at PKU in the areas of AI, urban development, and sustainable development. Lauren and I look forward to expanding our work in this field and deepening our collaboration with Tongji University and SFSSA.”