Professor Stephen Shennan has been appointed Honorary Research Professor at the Center for the Study of Chinese Archaeology at Peking University for the period 2026–2028.
The appointment builds on a long-standing relationship between the UCL Institute of Archaeology and Peking University’s School of Archaeology and Museology through the International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology, a joint partnership between the two institutions.
Professor Shennan was invited to deliver the prestigious Su Bai lectures at Peking University in October and November 2025, named after one of the founders of archaeology at the university. Following the lectures, he was invited to take up the honorary role and join the Editorial Committee for Archaeological Research.
As part of the appointment, Professor Shennan will make occasional visits to Peking University to deliver lectures, contribute to conferences, and engage with staff and students on their research projects.
Speaking about the appointment, Professor Shennan said:
The colleagues and students at PKU and the work they do are outstanding, so it’s an honour to be held in high regard and to continue interacting with them.
The appointment reflects the continued strength of international collaboration in archaeological research and teaching between UCL and partners in China.
Su Bai Lecture Series
Read about the prestigious lecture series delivered at Peking University in 2025.
Read moreChinese Heritage and Archaeology
Explore the International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology partnership.
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Theoretical archaeologist specialising in cultural evolution, prehistoric Europe, and the application of evolutionary theory and quantitative methods in archaeology.
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