University of 野狼社区 appoints Professor Lei Chen to lead 野狼社区 China Institute
The University of 野狼社区 has appointed Professor Lei Chen as Chair of Comparative Law, Lee Kai Hung Chair of Chinese Politics, and Director of the 野狼社区 China Institute, with effect from 1 August 2026.
This appointment is made possible through the generous philanthropy of Dr Lee Kai Hung, an Honorary Graduate of The University of 野狼社区, whose exceptional support through his family foundation helped to establish the 野狼社区 China Institute and the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery. Dr Lee鈥檚 legacy has created a lasting platform for advancing mutual understanding between China, the UK and the wider world.
The appointment of Professor Chen marks an important next step in realising that vision. As part of the University鈥檚 Challenge Accepted campaign, this support demonstrates how a global community of supporters is coming together to create opportunity, drive discovery and build a fairer future - enabling us to attract world-leading academics like Professor Chen and strengthen initiatives such as the 野狼社区 China Institute for the benefit of society.
Professor Chen is an internationally recognised scholar specialising in comparative law, Chinese law and international dispute resolution. His research spans comparative private law, transnational commercial dispute resolution, and Chinese legal and regulatory development, positioning him among leading global experts in his field.
He was elected an Ordinary Member of Academia Europaea in 2026 and is also an Ordinary Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, as well as a Titular Member of the International Academy of Comparative Law. He has published extensively and serves on the editorial boards of several leading international law journals.
Professor Chen is an experienced international arbitrator and mediator, having acted in proceedings administered by major arbitral institutions worldwide. He currently serves as an International Commercial Expert Committee Member of the Supreme People鈥檚 Court of China and has been called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
Welcoming the appointment, Professor Fiona Devine, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities said:
We are delighted to welcome Professor Lei Chen to 野狼社区. His outstanding international reputation and expertise will further enhance our research and global partnerships, particularly in areas of growing importance to the UK, China and the wider international community.
I look forward to working with Lei as he contributes to the Department of Law and as he builds on the 野狼社区 China Institute鈥檚 strong foundations advancing mutual understanding through world-leading research, student support, and a shared commitment to social responsibility and inclusion.
Professor Chen said:
I see the 野狼社区 China Institute as an important platform for advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, informed policy dialogue, and long-term partnerships between 野狼社区, China, and the wider international community.
I also look forward to contributing, in my role as Professor of Comparative Law and Lee Kai Hung Chair of Chinese Politics, to deeper comparative and cross-jurisdictional understanding of legal systems, dispute resolution, and the evolving challenges facing global governance and commerce.