Nobel Laureate Andre Geim to Continue Research Career in Hong Kong After Two Decades in Manchester

• February 26, 2026

Andre Geim, renowned physicist and one of the pioneers behind the discovery of graphene, is set to advance his scientific endeavors in Hong Kong after a research tenure spanning more than twenty years at the University of Manchester. This move reflects broader shifts in the global scientific community influenced by evolving research funding landscapes and geopolitical dynamics.

Shifts in Global Research Dynamics

Geim’s relocation highlights a growing trend of eminent scientists moving their work to Asia, particularly to China and Hong Kong. This realignment has been attributed in part to significant changes in research funding policies within the United States and Europe. For example, disruptions to the US grant system over the past year have triggered an exodus of researchers seeking more stable or supportive environments.

While Europe has traditionally stood as a stronghold for scientific research, it has also faced its own challenges, prompting some leading researchers—especially those of Chinese descent—to return to their countries of origin. Chinese media frequently report on prominent scientists making the transition to institutions within China, underscoring a continuing effort by the country to bolster its scientific and technological capabilities.

Andre Geim’s decision to relocate fits this pattern of scientific redistribution. After establishing a groundbreaking career in Manchester, where he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on graphene, Geim will undertake new research initiatives in Hong Kong. His move is indicative of the increased opportunities and emphasis being placed on cutting-edge materials science in the region.

Graphene itself remains a focal point of advanced materials research with wide-ranging applications from electronics to energy storage. Having one of its key discoverers committed to research in Hong Kong could invigorate local scientific programs and enhance the region’s role in the global technology landscape.

As governments and institutions worldwide reassess strategies for supporting scientific innovation, the flow of talent like Geim’s demonstrates the importance of attracting and retaining leading researchers. This trend may continue to reshape where foundational scientific work is conducted and how new technologies emerge in the coming years.

Andre Geim, co-discoverer of graphene, is relocating his scientific career to Hong Kong following twenty years at the University of Manchester.