FIELDWORK & RESEARCH
We conduct international research projects grounded in extensive fieldwork and museum specimen studies, combining traditional palaeontological methods with cutting-edge, interdisciplinary approaches.
Our research focuses on Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems, the Asian fossil record, the evolution of dinosaurs and other fossil vertebrates, and the conservation of fossil data. Looking beyond the fossils themselves, the Centre examines their stratigraphic, palaeoenvironmental, and regional contexts. Through fieldwork, specimen-based research, and cross-regional collaboration, we aim to reconstruct a more complete picture of Asian natural history and global vertebrate evolution.
FIELD PROJECTS
XINJIANG PALAEONTOLOGY
As the Centre’s flagship field project, the Xinjiang expedition focuses on Mesozoic strata and fossil records in the border region between northwest China and Central Asia. The Centre conducts systematic fieldwork annually to investigate regional biodiversity, palaeoenvironmental shifts, and ecosystem evolution throughout the Mesozoic.
TIBET PALAEONTOLOGY
The Tibet expedition targets geological formations across the plateau that possess significant scientific potential but remain relatively undersurveyed. It aims to investigate the regional fossil record, palaeoecology, and palaeoenvironments, exploring their broader implications for vertebrate evolution on both an Asian and global scale.
RESEARCH THEME
DINOSAUR PALAEONTOLOGY
Dinosaur palaeontology is vital to understanding the evolution of life and terrestrial ecosystems during the Mesozoic era. Integrating fossil evidence, morphological comparisons, functional analyses, and palaeoecological studies, the Centre investigates dinosaur taxonomy, feeding ecology, evolutionary trends, and their ecological roles within Mesozoic ecosystems.
FOSSIL DIGITISATION & CONSERVATION
The Centre utilises non-invasive methodologies, including photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and high-resolution imaging, to document in-situ fossils, stratigraphic data, and museum specimens, advancing the digital preservation and scientific conservation of natural history resources.
VERTEBRATE PALAEONTOLOGY IN ASIA
Asia preserves a rich and diverse record of fossil vertebrates, making it a critical region for studying vertebrate evolution and palaeoecology. Through collaborative research and cross-regional specimen studies, the Centre investigates the diversity, distribution patterns, and evolutionary history of Asian fossil vertebrates, as well as their responses to palaeoenvironmental changes.
VIRTUAL PALAEONTOLOGY
The Centre employs computed tomography (CT) scanning, digital visualisation, and 3D modelling techniques to construct digital models of fossils and anatomical structures, enabling the analysis of functional morphology, biomechanics, and evolutionary trends in fossil animals.