Research Clusters
AESC has 3 Research Clusters: Energy and Climate, Energy Governance, and Energy in Asia. The aim of these Research Clusters is to approach the issues in the field of sustainable energy studies from different but highly complementary perspectives (Click here to learn more about Research Clusters).
Each Research Cluster is headed by a Research Cluster Leader, who is responsible for developing research proposals, knowledge exchange activities, and publications, and strengthening the Research Fellows network. You can learn more about the expertise of each Reseach Cluster Leader below:
Energy in Asia
Cluster Leader: Daphne Mah
Director, Asian Energy Studies Centre
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Hong Kong Baptist University
Field of Interest
Dr. Mah’s research and teaching focuses on three broad domains: sustainable energy, energy governance, and comparative policy-making, mainly in the Asian, Chinese and Hong Kong contexts.
Energy and Climate
Cluster Leader: Chun Kwok Pan
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Hong Kong Baptist University
Field of Interest
Dr. Chun’s research interests are in nonstationary environmental processes related to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. He develops tools and numerical models for analysing our dynamic systems and projecting possible changes. With uncertain future behaviours of our environment under anthropogenic influence, Dr. Chun’s current research is related to qualify and quantify risks, extremes and irreversible shifts in Hong Kong and other parts of the world.
Energy Governance
Cluster Leader: Kevin Lo
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Hong Kong Baptist University
Field of Interest
Dr. Lo’s research interests include energy geography and goverannce, urban and rural studies and with focus on developments in Northeast China.
Research Themes
Research Projects
Title: Deliberative participation, trust, and social learning for sustainable energy transitions (SETs): A comparative study of Japan, South Korea, and China
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s General Research Fund
Amount of Grant: HK$1,326,170
Project Period: October 2017 – September 2020
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), R. Balme (Sciences Po), R. Chung (HKU), P. Hills (HKBU)
Title: Engaging Consumers for a Low-carbon Future: A Comparative Study on the Diffusion of Smart Grids in Japan and China
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s Early Career Scheme
Amount of Grant: HK$619,000
Project Period: October 2014 – March 2017
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences), R. Chung (HKU), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Deliberative Participation for Enhancing Nuclear Power Decision-making: A Comparative Study of Local Experiences from France, South Korea, and China
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty of Social Sciences’ 3-Way Partnership Grant (SOSC/15-16/GRFIAS-1)
Amount of Grant: HK$199,694
Project Period: June 2016 – November 2017
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), L. Deng (Sun Yat-sen), P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU), Q. Ye (Tsinghua), R. Balme (Sciences Po), T. Lee (Yonsei), X. Fang (Sun Yat-sen)
Title: Environmental attitudes, sense of place and energy consumption behavior in Hong Kong
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$49,920
Project Period: June 2017-February 2018
Investigators: K.P. Chun (HKBU), D. Mah (HKBU)
Title: Urban energy innovation and tranisitons in China: typologies, spatial patterns, and causal mechanisms
Funding Body: University College London Development Planning Unit’s Barlett Synergy Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$103,036 (£10,000)
Project Period: June 2016-June 2017
Investigators: V. Castan Broto (UCL), F. Zhang (UCL), F. Wu (UCL), P. Huang (UCL), K. Lo (HKBU) and V. Lam (HKBU)
Title: Deliberative Governance to Enhancing Energy Decision-making: The Development, Applications, and Prospects of Deliberative Pollings in Japan
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG2/13-14/074)
Amount of Grant: HK$98,904
Project Period: December 2014 – July 2016
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), R. Balme (Sciences Po), D. Kechemair (Pantheon Assas Paris II University), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Attitudes and perceived drivers and barriers to solar policies: Perspectives of stakeholders in Hong Kong
Funding Body: Greenpeace East Asia and World Wild Fund for Nature (HK)
Project Period: January – December 2016
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU), P. Hills (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU)
Title: Potential of Rooftop Photovoltaics in Hong Kong
Funding Body: CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd
Project Period: October 2015 – June 2016
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU), A. Lo (HKU) and P. Hills (HKU)
Title: Conceptualising and Evaluating Deliberative Energy Decision-Making: A Case Study of the 2012 National Deliberative Polling on Energy in Japan
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG1/14-15/081)
Amount of Grant: HK$49,960
Project Period: August 2015 – May 2016
Investigators: D. Mah and A. Siu (Stanford)
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s General Research Fund
Amount of Grant: HK$1,326,170
Proejct Period: October 2017 – September 2019
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), R. Balme (Sciences Po), R. Chung (HKU), P. Hills (HKBU)
Title: Engaging Consumers for a Low-carbon Future: A Comparative Study on the Diffusion of Smart Grids in Japan and China
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s Early Career Scheme
Amount of Grant: HK$619,000
Project Period: October 2014 – March 2017
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences), R. Chung (HKU), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Deliberative Participation for Enhancing Nuclear Power Decision-making: A Comparative Study of Local Experiences from France, South Korea, and China
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty of Social Sciences’ 3-Way Partnership Grant (SOSC/15-16/GRFIAS-1)
Amount of Grant: HK$199,694
Project Period: June 2016 – November 2017
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), L. Deng (Sun Yat-sen), P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU), Q. Ye (Tsinghua), R. Balme (Sciences Po), T. Lee (Yonsei), X. Fang (Sun Yat-sen)
Title: Environmental attitudes, sense of place and energy consumption behavior in Hong Kong
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$49,920
Project Period: June 2017-February 2018
Investigators: K.P. Chun (HKBU), D. Mah (HKBU)
Title: Urban energy innovation and tranisitons in China: typologies, spatial patterns, and causal mechanisms
Funding Body: University College London Development Planning Unit’s Barlett Synergy Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$103,036 (£10,000)
Project Period: June 2016-June 2017
Investigators: V. Castan Broto (UCL), F. Zhang (UCL), F. Wu (UCL), P. Huang (UCL), K. Lo (HKBU) and V. Lam (HKBU)
Title: Deliberative Governance to Enhancing Energy Decision-making: The Development, Applications, and Prospects of Deliberative Pollings in Japan
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG2/13-14/074)
Amount of Grant: HK$98,904
Project Period: December 2014 – July 2016
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), R. Balme (Sciences Po), D. Kechemair (Pantheon Assas Paris II University), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Attitudes and perceived drivers and barriers to solar policies: Perspectives of stakeholders in Hong Kong
Funding Body: Greenpeace East Asia and World Wild Fund for Nature (HK)
Project Period: January – December 2016
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU), P. Hills (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU)
Title: Potential of Rooftop Photovoltaics in Hong Kong
Funding Body: CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd
Project Period: October 2015 – June 2016
Investigators: D. Mah (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU), A. Lo (HKU) and P. Hills (HKU)
Title: Conceptualising and Evaluating Deliberative Energy Decision-Making: A Case Study of the 2012 National Deliberative Polling on Energy in Japan
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG1/14-15/081)
Amount of Grant: HK$49,960
Project Period: August 2015 – May 2016
Investigators: D. Mah and A. Siu (Stanford)
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Title: Engaging Consumers for a Low-carbon Future: A Case Study of the Diffusion of Smart Grids in China
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG1/13-14/051)
Amount of Grant: HK$49,192
Project Period: February 2014 – July 2015
Investigators: D. Mah and CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Title: Development of Teaching Portfolio Framework through a Multidisciplinary Community of Practice
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Community of Practice (CoPs) Funding
Amount of Grant: HK$500,000
Project Period: January 2014 – June 2015
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Sivan (BU) and others
Title: Engaging Consumers for a Low-Carbon Future: A Case Study of the Diffusion of Smart Grids in Japan
Funding Body: Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG2/12-13/057)
Amount of Grant: HK$99,756
Project Period: October 2013 – November 2014
Investigators: D. Mah, A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences), R. Chung (HKU), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Effective Governance for Energy Security in Hong Kong: Improving Public Engagement and Public Trust in Nuclear Power Decision-Making
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s Public Policy Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$610,000
Project Period: July 2011 – December 2013
Investigators: D. Mah, P. Hills (The University of Hong Kong), J. Tao (City University of Hong Kong), and R. Balme (Sciences Po, Paris/ Tsinghua University).
Website: http://www.kadinst.hku.hk/nuclear/index.html
Title: Managing the Transition Towards a Low-Carbon Economy: Stakeholder Engagement for Technological Environmental Innovation Decision-making in Hong Kong
Funding Body: Research Grant Council’s Public Policy Grant
Amount of Grant: HK$571,950
Project Period: July 2010 – July 2012
Investigators: D. Mah, P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU), and J. Lam (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Effective Consumer Engagement for Smart Grid Technologies: An Asian Perspective
Funding Body: Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment, The University of Hong Kong’s University Development Fund
Amount of Grant: HK$250,000
Project Period: September 2011 – August 2013
Investigators: D. Mah and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Feasibility of smart grid development in Hong Kong: institutional and regulatory perspectives
Funding Body: Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment, The University of Hong Kong’s University Development Fund
Amount of Grant: HK$150,000
Project Period: February – June 2011
Investigators: D. Mah and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Development of biofuel technologies and policy
Funding Body: Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment, The University of Hong Kong’s University Development Fund
Amount of Grant: HK$250,000
Project Period: March 2010 – December 2011
Investigators: D. Mah, P. Hills and J. Lam (Kadoorie Institute, HKU), W. Lim (School of Biological Sciences, HKU), D. Leung and M. Leung (Department of Mechanical Engineering, HKU) and J. Yung (Dept of Chemistry, HKU)
Title: Hong Kong Sustainable Energy Future: Technological and Policy Options for Hong Kong-Pearl River Delta Collaboration
Consultancy Report Client: Greenpeace China
Project Period: July 2010 – March 2011
Investigators: D. Mah, J. Close (School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Market Readiness Towards Low Carbon Building in Hong Kong
Consultancy Report Client: Greenpeace China
Project Period: August 2010 – February 2011
Investigators: D. Mah, S. Lau (Faculty of Architecture, HKU), and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)
Title: Hong Kong’s vulnerability to global climate change impacts
Consultancy Report Client: Oxfam (Hong Kong)
Project Period: August 2010
Investigators: D. Mah and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU)