Professor Lei Chen of our Law School has been elected to the Academia Europaea, one of Europe's most distinguished academic bodies.
The honour recognises Professor Chen's significant contributions to comparative law, international arbitration, and Chinese private and commercial law.
It also reflects his influence across the UK, Europe, and the wider international academic community.
Professor Chen was also elected as a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in 2024.
Professor Chen's election brings the number of Durham researchers in the Academy to eight, reflecting our world-leading strengths across multiple disciplines.
Advancing global understanding of Chinese law
Professor Chen has developed sophisticated approaches to the study of Chinese law, particularly through integrating perspectives from both continental European and common law traditions.
His research has played an important role in deepening cross-jurisdictional understanding and strengthening comparative legal analysis.
A key aspect of his international engagement is his leadership in the English-language commentary on the Chinese Civil Code.
This initiative brings together leading scholars from universities across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia.
Together, they have formed a collaborative research network that advances the study and accessibility of Chinese private law on a global scale.
Shaping international dialogue and policy
Alongside his academic work, Professor Chen actively contributes to global policy discussions, particularly regarding the development of private law in China and the practice of international arbitration.
Professor Volker Roeben, Dean of Durham Law School, said: "Professor Chen's election to the Academia Europaea is a clear recognition of both the intellectual depth and the international reach of his work.
"His scholarship does not merely compare legal systems; it actively reshapes how Chinese law is understood within global legal discourse."
Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O'Brien said: "Being elected to the Academia Europaea is a distinguished honour, and it is excellent to see Professor Chen recognised at this level.
"That we now count eight Durham academics among the members of this prestigious Academy is testament to our commitment to rigorous, globally relevant and impactful research."
Globally impactful researchers
Durham's representation within the Academia Europaea includes researchers working across philosophy, geography, law, classics and the sciences.
Among them are geographer Professor Harriet Bulkeley; legal scholar Professor Thom Brooks; classicist Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson and philosopher Professor Nancy Cartwright.
They are joined by Emeritus Professors: former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Ray Hudson (geography); Francis Stephenson (physics) and Ian Simmons (geography).
