Bridge over a river in Gansu province
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The Silk Roads programme at King's College

An interdisciplinary research programme to study the history and culture of the countries of the Silk Roads

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About the Silk Roads programme

Through a generous donation, King’s has initiated a programme for the study of the history and culture of the Silk Road countries, societies, and cultures of Asia from the Western borders of China to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as their relationships with China in the East and Europe in the West.

This broad programme of studies includes lectures, seminars and conferences, as well as graduate scholarships and Research Fellowships, which explore relationships and the movement of materials, knowledge, and technologies between China and the Mediterranean at any period in history up to the present day.

To keep up to date with Silk Roads Programme activities, join the mailing list.

Members of the Silk Roads programme

Gareth Austin, smiling man with short hair wearing a blue suit and a yellow tie

Gareth Austin

Official Fellow and Research Director
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Gareth Austin
A man in a blue shirt

Peter Frankopan

Bye-Fellow, Associate Director of the Silk Roads programme
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Peter Frankopan
Dror Weil, a smiling bald man wearing a blue shirt and striped bow tie.

Dror Weil

Official Fellow in History (Early Modern Asia)
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Dror Weil

Silk Roads programme events listings

Logo of steppe sisters, orange and turquoise wight pointed stars and triangular shape in between, imitating tiles of the Mongol and Timurid periods in Central Asia
11 October 2025 2 - 4pm
Audit Room, King's College

Steppe Sisters Annual Meeting

King's Silk Roads is delighted to host the AGM of Steppe Sisters. The Meeting is for members of Steppe Sisters and will be followed by our public annual lecture at...
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Steppe Sisters Annual Meeting
Small mesh bags holding charred plant remains, drying inside a brightly coloured Kazakh tent with and orange roof and geometric designs on the interior walls
11 October 2025 5 - 6:30pm
Audit Room, King's College

What might an equitable research future look like for Central Asian studies?- Dr Rebecca Roberts (Steppe Sisters Annual Lecture)

Dr. Rebecca Roberts is a research associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, where she currently manages the Mapping Heritage in South...
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What might an equitable research future look like for Central Asian studies?- Dr Rebecca Roberts (Steppe Sisters Annual Lecture)
decorative tilework

Contact the Silk Roads Programme

If you want to get involved with the Silk Roads Programme, join the mailing list, or find out more about upcoming events using the link below.