The Department of Geography at HKBU is a long-established and highly reputed academic institution in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most dynamic and international cities. The Department can be traced back to the History and Geography Department established in 1960. It is now one of the three departments that constitute the Academy of Geography, Sociology, and International Studies (GSIS) under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).

The Department is proud of its research excellence. Our research initiatives thrive on four fronts: (1) Energy, sustainability, and resource management; (2) Geoanalytics, GIS, and remote sensing; (3) Physical landscape and environmental change; and (4) Urban and regional studies. The Department boasts a strong track record in securing grants, frequently earning competitive research grants from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and other funding bodies. Noteworthy recent successes include a HK$5.7 million Research Impact Fund for an interdisciplinary investigation into the role of big data analytics in advancing smart low-carbon cities, and a HK$3.5 million Young Collaborative Research Grant aimed at optimizing land arrangements to mitigate urban warming, air pollution, and human exposure. The Department also participates in government advisory committees and professional organizations to contribute to both societal and academic advancement.

The Department offers the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Geography. Our undergraduate curriculum reflects the University’s emphasis on transdisciplinary and sustainability education by providing students with a wide range of interactive learning experiences. Geography distinguishes itself by its integrated approach to studying the interactions between people and their physical and social environments. The geography curriculum at HKBU gives students rigorous training in geographical methodologies while fostering an understanding of the spatial order and interdependence of the world’s peoples and regions. The curriculum also promotes the application of relevant geographical concepts and the techniques needed to solve real-world problems. We are also home to approximately 40 postgraduate research students enrolled in MPhil and PhD degrees, which is the largest in the faculty. In addition, we collaborate with other departments to offer two coursework-based postgraduate programs: MSocSc in Contemporary China Studies and MA in Global Society.

I hope you will learn more about our achievements, aspirations, and activities from our website. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to know more.

Kevin Lo

Department Chair and Associate Professor of Geography

July 2024