Confucius Institute, Patterson School Welcome Speaker on China-U.S. Relations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2015) — University of Kentucky Confucius Institute and the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce will present a lecture by Craig A. Hart on positive and negative dynamics of China-U.S. relations. The talk, which will explore aspects of energy and climate, regional security, trade and rule of law, will begin 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, in the William T. Young Library Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

"Dr. Hart has over a decade of experience working with China both as an attorney advising on energy infrastructure projects and teaching at a premier Chinese university. This, combined with his American legal training and research on climate and energy security make him a perfect guest to share insights on areas for cooperation and competition between the two countries," said Stacy Closson, assistant professor at the Patterson School.

Craig A. Hart is currently the ENN Group Associate Professor at the School of Environment and Natural Resources at People’s University of China and a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University’s Energy Policy and Climate program. His research examines the interchange of carbon management, competitiveness and economic development, along with law and policy. Recent research by Hart focuses on energy efficiency, biomass, forest carbon sequestration, carbon capture and storage technologies, with concentration on China and developing countries in Asia.

Hart has a bachelor's degree and juris doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, a master's degree from New York University, and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has resided and performed work in regions of the Soviet Union, Middle East and Asia.

The mission of the UK Confucius Institute is to serve as Kentucky’s gateway to China in the areas of education, arts, culture and business. Maske and her staff have been largely successful in fulfilling this mission at UK, local Kentucky schools and in the community at large. Since its inauguration in 2010, the institute has positioned itself as a conduit of UK’s China initiatives, and created many successful partnerships between colleges at UK and Chinese universities. UK Confucius Institute has also played a valuable role in K-12 Chinese language and cultural education.

The Patterson School serves the state, nation and world by the rigorous education of future leaders to work in international diplomacy, commerce, development, intelligence and security. This is accomplished in a flexible, intimate learning environment that integrates academic studies, practical training and real world experience. Patterson School graduates emerge ready to undertake challenging careers with global responsibilities in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu