PROFESSOR SHUNLIN LIANG
Chair Professor & Head
Welcome to the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong (HKU)!
Founded in 1931, the Department of Geography at HKU has a proud tradition of academic excellence and innovation. Today, we stand at the forefront of geographical research and education, a position reflected in our continued ascent in global rankings and the rapid expansion of our research capabilities.
International Standing
Our commitment to excellence is recognized globally. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the Department ranks 10th globally and 1st in Hong Kong, alongside a sustained 14th (globally) and 1st (Hong Kong) in the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects also provides rankings in remote sensing. Remote Sensing at HKU is ranked 11th (globally) and 1st (Hong Kong) in 2025 (Figure 1).
Figure 1. HKU Global Rankings in Geography & Remote Sensing (2021-2025)
This consistency across distinct evaluation frameworks is significant. It suggests that our strong global reputation is underpinned by tangible research impact, validating the robustness of our scholarship and the dedication of our entire community.
Research Excellence & Global Impact
The improvement in our standing is a direct reflection of our strengthening research foundation. As shown in Figure 2, the department has achieved a strong trajectory in both output and impact over the past five years.
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Global Reach: We are being read and cited more than ever before. Our annual citations have risen from about 9,500 to over 34,000—a threefold increase that underscores the relevance of our work.
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Research Momentum: This is driven by a highly productive community, with publication output doubling to reach 335 journal papers in 2025, among which 70.4% are in Q1 quantile and 21.8% are with impact factor larger than 10.
Figure 2: Citation and Research Output (2021-2025)
Our faculty members are recognized globally for their scientific contributions. This excellence is further highlighted by prestigious international recognitions:
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Highly Cited Researchers: In 2025, four professors (K. Feng, P. Gong, S. Liang & Y. Zhou) were named Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate (top 0.1% worldwide), among 54 HKU colleagues on the list.
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Global Citation Impact: Nine members (W. Chen, P. Gong, B. Huang, N. Lam, G. Lin, L. Liu, B. Loo, Z. Xu & Y. Zhou) are ranked among the top 1% of scientists globally by citations, and ten (W. Chen, P. Gong, B. Huang, S. Liang, G. Lin, L. Liu, B. Loo, J. Qian, Z. Xu & Y. Zhou) are listed in Stanford University’s "World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists."
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Prestigious Awards: Five faculty members (L. Liu, L. Ran, Z. Xu, H. Zhang &P. Zhu) have received the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (海外优青) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. In addition, one member (S. Liang) received the Hong Kong Global STEM Professorship, and three members (L. Liu, Z. Xu & Y. Zhou) received HKU-100 awards.
These recognitions reflect not only individual achievements but also the collaborative culture that defines our department.
Undergraduate and postgraduate Teaching
We are committed to teaching excellence. We currently offer three undergraduate degree programmes—Geography, Urban Governance, and Geospatial Data Science—with 204 undergraduate majors. All students have the opportunity to participate in field trips to Europe (mainly the Netherlands and Belgium), Australia, and Mainland China. The surge in undergraduate course enrolments (in FTE) demonstrates that our faculty members are offering a wide range of high-quality courses that attract students from across the campus.
We also offer three Taught Postgraduate (TPG) programmes, with a current enrolment of 432 students, including the Master of China Development Studies (MChDS), the Master of Transport Policy and Planning (MTP&P), and the Master of Science in Geospatial Data Science [MSc(GeoDS)].
Our Research Postgraduate (RPG) student population has increased remarkably as well. There are currently 107 RPG students, the majority of whom are PhD candidates.
Talent Expansion
To sustain this momentum, we are strategically expanding our talent pool, creating a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment.
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Faculty Growth: We have strengthened our core professoriate team to 27 members.
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A Vibrant Research Community: Most notably, we have invested heavily in early-career researchers. As shown in Figure 3, our cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows has surged from just a single position in 2021 to 32 fellows in 2025. This injection of young talent is a driving force behind our innovation and productivity.
Figure 3: Talent Expansion (2021-2025)
Looking Forward
We remain deeply committed to maintaining this upward trajectory in research, teaching, and community engagement. Our curriculum continues to evolve, integrating cutting-edge geospatial technologies and sustainable practices to prepare our students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
I invite you to explore our website to see the data in action and learn more about the opportunities we offer. You are also warmly welcome to visit us at the Jockey Club Tower to meet our expanding faculty and staff in person. Whether you are a prospective student, a researcher, or a partner, we invite you to join us as we continue to explore, understand, and shape our changing world.
Shunlin Liang
Chair Professor and Head
Department of Geography
The University of Hong Kong