The University of Liverpool, UK. The University of Liverpool has announced the appointment of Jeff Blackford as the first Dean for Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Jeff will have a remit to strengthen research collaboration between the two universities and promote educational opportunities for the benefit of both UK and China-based students. He will also continue to work in his capacity as Dean for the University of Liverpool in London, a role to which he was appointed earlier in the year. Jeff’s role will also support a closer relationship in furthering both universities’ research priorities, including collaboration over PhD and postgraduate research students. He looks forward to working with colleagues in China and the UK in his new role while the partnership presents a “wealth of opportunities for both universities to further their research and offer life-changing experiences to students”.