Cambridge scientist Chen Peipei relocates to Hong Kong for research freedom

Chen Peipei, an energy transition scientist, left the University of Cambridge in May 2026 for a presidential assistant professorship at City University of Hong Kong's School of Energy and Environment. She cited the appeal of research budgets and PhD student quotas that allow her to build a team—opportunities she said UK universities can no longer afford due to financial crises. British universities are slashing research activity, with a Universities UK survey showing nearly one third of 48 respondents cut academic research in the past three years, more than double the 14% reported in 2024. Staffing is a primary cost-saving target, with 79% pursuing voluntary redundancies or hiring freezes. Cambridge itself has not announced cuts, but many institutions like Dundee, Sussex, Nottingham, Glasgow, and Aberdeen have job-cut plans.

Chen noted that in Britain, teaching positions rarely include research startup funds, leaving faculty little time to develop their own research. By contrast, Hong Kong offers supportive policies for young scientists, including startup grants and dedicated recruitment slots. Her move reflects a broader trend of top-tier talent leaving the UK for regions with more stable funding and geopolitical climates. For Chen, the relocation means she can now focus on advancing energy transition research with the resources needed to scale her work. City University of Hong Kong gains a promising scientist, while the UK loses another early-career researcher to budget constraints.