PROFESSOR SHUNLIN LIANG

Welcome to the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong (HKU)!

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Founded in 1931, the Department of Geography at HKU has a proud tradition of academic excellence and innovation. We are consistently ranked among the world’s leading geography departments. In 2025, HKU Geography was ranked first in Hong Kong and tenth globally in the QS Subject Rankings.

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In recent years, our department has experienced unprecedented growth and transformation. Since 2022, our professoriate staff has expanded by 30%, research staff (primarily postdoctoral fellows) by 600%, and research postgraduate students (mainly PhD students) by nearly 400%. Our taught postgraduate student numbers have increased by over 300%, undergraduate majors in both Geography and Urban Governance have grown by more than 130%, and undergraduate course enrollment (in FTE) has surged by over 160%. The number of publications by our members in top interdisciplinary journals such as Science, Nature, and The Lancet, as well as leading disciplinary journals, has also risen dramatically.

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Our faculty members are recognized for their outstanding achievements. In 2024, four of our professors were named Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, placing them among the top 0.1% of scientists and social scientists worldwide. Nine members were ranked in the top 1% globally by citations, and nine were included among the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists by Stanford University. Additionally, five faculty members have received the prestigious Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) (海外优青).from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

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In the face of today’s complex environmental, social, and economic challenges, our department is at the forefront of research and education. Our faculty engage in diverse fields of study, utilizing critical analysis, advanced geospatial technologies (such as satellite remote sensing and geographic information science), and integrative, holistic approaches. We support our teaching and research with five well-equipped laboratories and a map library. Our students benefit from a rich array of field trips, with opportunities to visit destinations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Singapore, and mainland China, greatly enriching their academic experience.

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We are deeply committed to excellence in research, teaching, and community engagement. If you are interested in exploring the geographical sciences and the many opportunities our department offers, I invite you to browse our website and learn more. You are also warmly welcome to visit us at the 10th floor of the Jockey Club Tower Building to meet our faculty and staff in person.

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Thank you for your interest in HKU Geography. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.