The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Durham University in the UK launched a series of webinars titled “Knowledge Across Borders” on October 29, both to promote bilateral cooperation and to explore new models for international scientific and technological exchanges against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhang Yaping, Vice-President of CAS and Stuart Corbridge, Durham University Principal, made speeches at the opening ceremony.

Zhan Renbin, head of the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS and David Harper, a professor with Durham University, focused their lectures on the theme of “The First Carnival of the Animals: Causes and Consequences of the Diversification of Early Palaeozoic Marine Life”.

The two lecturers introduced the impact of major biological events on the evolution of life on Earth since the Phanerozoic — the key driving factors of biological evolution. Important fossil evidence found in China and other regions was also presented during the online event.

The pair answered questions raised by online viewers and had further discussions with some of 350-plus attendees from China and the UK after the lecture.

Wang Zhenyu, deputy head of the Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS and Claire O’Malley, Vice-President in charge of Durham University’s international cooperation affairs, made concluding remarks.

The two institutions have maintained close cooperation and developed flexible and innovative cooperation models in the context of the normalization of the global epidemic. The webinar was a product of this cooperation. It helped strengthen exchanges between the scientific and technological communities in China and the UK and advance their bilateral ties to a higher level.

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences