On March 11, 2025, Gareth Stansfield, Vice-President of the University of Exeter and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, along with Li Li, Assistant Vice-President and Deputy Dean of the same faculty, paid a visit to the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS). Assistant to the President Zhan Long met with the delegation at the Wangjing Campus.

Zhan Long extended a warm welcome to the guests on behalf of UCASS. He reviewed the history of cooperation between the two institutions and highlighted UCASS' disciplinary strengths in fields such as archaeology and classics, as well as its goals for international development. He emphasized that, drawing on their shared focus on the humanities and social sciences, both universities could jointly develop impactful academic programs through short-term courses, academic weeks, and joint training programs.

Gareth Stansfield underscored the University of Exeter's strong commitment to the humanities and social sciences, expressing a desire to work closely with UCASS to advance bilateral collaboration. He noted that Exeter's research strengths in areas such as marine archaeology and legal archaeology align well with UCASS' academic focus, and looked forward to expanding collaboration through faculty and student exchanges, as well as joint research projects.

During the meeting, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on talent cultivation, academic research, and faculty\student exchange, reaching a broad consensus on multiple areas of cooperation. This meeting signaled a new stage in the partnership between the two institutions. Both sides will continue to deepen around a shared core in the humanities and social sciences, leveraging complementary strengths and resources.