People
Dr. Mah Ngar-yin, Daphne
(馬雅燕博士)
Associate Professor
Director of the Asian Energy Studies Centre
Governance for smart energy transitions
Comparative energy policies in Asian cities (including Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei)
Smart grids, Solar
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- M.Sc., The University of Nottingham, UK
- BSSc, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
ACADEMIC AWARDS
- World’s Top 2% Scientist (2022) (named by Stanford University)
- Faculty/School/Academy of Visual Arts Performance Award in Scholarly Work for the Faculty of Social Sciences (2022)
- Faculty Award for Early Career Academic (Research) 2014-15, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University
GENERAL
Dr. Daphne Mah is the Director of Asian Energy Studies Centre and Associate Professor at Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University. She was named the World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University (2022).
Daphne obtained her MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Nottingham in the UK, and completed her PhD study at the University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on social aspects of smart energy transitions, specialising in interdisciplinary research that cuts across the fields of energy technologies (smart grids, solar power, wind energy, nuclear power, and building energy efficiency), energy governance, and sustainability policy studies, with a geographical focus on East Asia covering empirical cases in China, South Korea, and Japan.
Daphne’s team has been highly active in research. Since 2010, she has been the principal investigator of 29 projects, including five major external grant funded studies (e.g. one Research Impact Fund (HK$3.9m) and one GRF (HK$1.3m)), and a number of contracted studies, amounting to HK$~9 million (Totalling HK$16 million for 39 projects that she served as PI/Co-I). She has published widely in top-tier journals including Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Energy Research & Social Science, Energy Policy, Geoforum, Journal of Cleaner Production, Environmental and Planning C, and The China Review. She is the founding conveners of the Asian Low-Carbon Universities-Cities Network (ALUN) and the Hong Kong Solar Partnership, and a co-founding editor of Journal of Asian Energy Studies. She is also serving as the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Geographical Association (2023-2025).
Daphne was awarded the Chevening Scholarship for her studies in the UK. She is a recipient of Performance Award in Scholarly Work for the Faculty of Social Sciences at Hong Kong Baptist University in 2022. Before pursuing her academic career, she was a journalist in Ming Pao Daily News, and the head of the campaigns team of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong).
TEACHING
Global and regional energy governance, sustainability, climate change and energy policies (renewable energy, nuclear power, governance for energy, emission trading), environmental policy and politics in global cities, China and Hong Kong
- GEOG 3007 Energy Problems and the Environment
- GEOG 4065 Energy Policy and Analysis
- GEOG 4016/GEOG 7540 Sustainable Energy and Technological Innovation in China
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Governance for smart energy transitions
- Comparative energy governance in Asia
- Smart grids
- Renewable energy
- Energy citizenship
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
- Vice-Chairlady (since April 2021); Exco Member (2019-2021); Honorary Secretary, the Hong Kong Geographical Society (HKGA) (2013 – 2019)
- Convenor, Asian Low-carbon Universities-cities Network (since 2021)
- Convenor, Hong Kong Solar Partnership (since 2020)
- Co-founding Editor, Journal of Asian Energy Studies (JAES), which is an open-access journal; Editorial board member: Urban Transformations Journal, published by Springer (since 2018); Topic Editor: Sustainability, published by MDPI (since 2020)
- Research Grant Council’s General Research Fund, “Delivering carbon-neutral goals through smart social learning in communities: A cross-cultural analysis of three Asian cities (Kyoto, Seoul and Hong Kong)”, Grant awarded: HK$997,946; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with D, Cheung (HKBU), B. Choi (HKBU), H. Kim (KAIST), B. McLellan (Kyoto University), A. Siu (Stanford), S. J. Jun, (Seoul National University; Study period: Jan 2023- Jun 2025 (30 months).
- Research Grants Council’s Research Impact Grant, “Exploring the role of big data analytics in promoting smart low-carbon cities: A human centered, community-based, and deep engagement approach in Hong Kong”. Grant awarded: HK$5,700,000; Serving as the Project Coordinator, in collaboration with M. H. Chan (HKBU), D. Cheung (HKBU), B. Choi (HKBU), K. P. Chun (HKBU), Y. K. Guo (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU), K. Ng (HKBU), Q. Zhou (HKBU); Study period: June 2021 – June 2024.
- Research Grant Council (RGC), General Research Fund, “Deliberative Participation, Trust, and Social Learning for Sustainable Energy Transitions (SETs): A Comparative Study of Japan, South Korea, and China”, Grant awarded: HK$1,326,170; Serving as the Principal Investigator, Study period: 2017-2020.
- Greenpeace East Asia, “Exploring a Community-based Solution for Enhancing Hong Kong’s Climate Resilience: A Pilot Study of a Climate Resilient Community in Sai Kung”. Grant awarded: HK$100,000; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration D. Cheung (HKBU), M. Chan (HKBU), B. Choi (HKBU), K. Chun (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU), K. Ng (HKBU); Study period: July 2020 – December 2021.
- Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Niche Research Fund, “Trust and the Smart City”. Grant awarded: HK$933,792; Serving as the Co-Investigator, in collaboration with A. Cole (HKBU), K. Ip (HKBU), E. Tran (HKBU); Study period: June 2020 – May 2022.
- Chinese Academy of Engineering Consultancy Project, “The Role and Missions of Hong Kong under Energy Transition of the Greater Bay Area”. Grant awarded: RMB60,000; Serving as the Co-Principal Investigator in collaboration with C. Liao (GIEC), D. Cheung (HKBU), M. Guo (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU); Study period: January 2020 – June 2021.
- Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, “Provision of Services for Facilitating and Deploying the Solar Harvest for Educational Activities”. Grant awarded: HK$198,150; Serving as the Co-Investigator, in collaboration with M. Chan (HKBU), Y. Pang (HKBU); Study period: 2019 – 2020.
- Chinese Academy of Engineering Consultancy Project, “The Conditions, Characteristics and Trends of Energy Demand and Supply in Hong Kong under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”. Grant awarded: RMB75,000; Serving as the Co-Principal Investigator in collaboration with C. Liao (GIEC), D. Cheung (HKBU), K. Lo (HKBU); Study period: January 2019 – December 2020.
- Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office’s Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, “Engaging the community to develop a model for sustainable energy futures: A case study of two prospective solar communities in Hong Kong”. Grant awarded: HK$632,500; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with K. Lo (HKBU), Q. Zhou (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU), W. Law (HKU), R. Chung (HKU), M. Wolfram (Sungkyunkwan), F. Yeung (Greenpeace); Study period: September 2018 – August 2019.
- Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund, “Decentralized Climate Governance and Policy Implementation in China: Unraveling a Paradox”. Grant awarded: HK$757,920; Serving as Co-Investigator, in collaboration with K. Lo (HKBU) and others; Study period: 2019 – 2021.
- Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG2/17-18/096), “The diversity and critical processes of urban energy transitions through community engagement: An international comparison of London, Freiburg (Germany), New York City, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Foshan (China)”. Grant awarded: HK$150,000; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with A. Mori (Kyoto University), M. Wolfram (Sungkyunkwan U), S. Fuller (Macquarie U), G. Lepesant (Sciences Po/ CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research, France), Richard Balme (Sciences Po); Study period: July 2018 – December 2019.
- Greenpeace East Asia, “Solar Schools in Hong Kong – Potentials and Challenges”. Grant awarded: HK$135,000; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with K. Lo (HKBU), M. H. Chan (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU); Study period: February – December 2018.
- Research Grant Council’s Early Career Scheme, “Engaging Consumers for a Low-carbon Future: A Comparative Study on the Diffusion of Smart Grids in Japan and China”. Grant awarded: HK$619,000; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences), R. Chung (HKU), P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU); Study period: October 2014 – March 2017.
- Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty of Social Sciences’ 3-Way Partnership Grant Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty of Social Sciences’ 3-Way Partnership Grant, “Deliberative Participation for Enhancing Nuclear Power Decision-making: A Comparative Study of Local Experiences from France, South Korea, and China”. Grant awarded: HK$199,694, Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with A. Siu (Stanford), L. Deng (Sun Yat-sen), P. Hills (HKBU), Y. Qi (Tsinghua), R. Balme (Sciences Po), T. Lee (Yonsei), X. Fang (Sun Yat-sen); Study period: June 2016 – November 2017.
- Greenpeace East Asia and World Wide Fund for Nature (HK), “Attitudes and perceived drivers and barriers to solar policies: Perspectives of stakeholders in Hong Kong”. Serving as the principal investigator, in collaboration with K. Lo (HKBU), P. Hills (HKBU), M. Leung (CityU); Study period: January – December 2016.
- CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd., “Potential of Rooftop Photovoltaics in Hong Kong”. Serving as Co-Principal Investigator, in collaboration with M. Leung (CityU), A. Lo (HKU) and P. Hills (HKU). Study period: October 2015 – June 2016.
- Hong Kong Baptist University’s Faculty Research Grant (FRG2/12-13/057), “Engaging Consumers for a Low-carbon Future: A Case Study of the Diffusion of Smart Grids in Japan”. Grant awarded: $99,756; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with A. Siu (Stanford), A. Poh (University of Tokyo), CP. Liao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), Chinese Academy of Sciences), R. Chung (HKU), P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU); Study period: October 2013 – November 2014.
- Research Grant Council’s Public Policy Research Grant, “Effective governance for energy security in Hong Kong: improving public engagement and public trust in nuclear power decision-making”. Grant awarded: HK$610,000; Serving as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute, HKU), J. Tao (City University of Hong Kong), R. Balme (Sciences Po, Paris/ Tsinghua University); Study period: July 2011 – December 2013.
- Research Grant Council’s Public Policy Research Grant, “Managing the Transition towards a Low-carbon Economy: Stakeholder Engagement for Technological Environmental Innovation Decision-making in Hong Kong”, Grant awarded: HK$571,950; in collaboration with P. Hills and J. Lam (Kadoorie Institute); Study period: July 2010 – July 2012.
- Greenpeace China, a consultancy study titled “Hong Kong Sustainable Energy Future: Technological and Policy Options for Hong Kong-Pearl River Delta Collaboration”. In collaboration with J. Close (School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong) and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute); Study period: July 2010 – March 2011.
- Greenpeace China, a consultancy study titled “Market Readiness Towards Low Carbon Building in Hong Kong”. In collaboration with S. Lau (Faculty of Architecture, HKU) and P. Hills (Kadoorie Institute); Study period: August 2010 – February 2011.
- Oxfam (HK), a consultancy study titled “Hong Kong’s vulnerability to global climate change impacts”. Study period: May – August 2010.
A) Books
Mah, D., Hills, P., Li, V. O. K., Balme, R. (Ed.). (2014). Smart Grid Applications and Developments. London: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-6281-0.
B) Book Chapters
Mah, D., Hills, P., Li, V., & Balme, R. (2014). Introduction and Overview. In D. Mah, Hills, P., Li, V. O. K., Balme, R. (Ed.), Smart Grid Applications and Developments (pp. 3-20). London: Springer.
Mah, D., Leung, K. P. Y., & Hills, P. (2014). Smart grids: The Regulatory Challenges. In D. Mah, Hills, P., Li, V. O. K., Balme, R. (Ed.), Smart Grid Applications and Developments (pp. 115-140). London: Springer.
C) International Refereed Journal Papers
Mah, D., Cheung, D. M.-w., Lam, V., Siu, A., Sone, Y., & Li, K.-y. (2021) Trust gaps in energy transitions: Japan’s National Deliberative Poll after Fukushima, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 39(2):249-269
Mah, D., Siu, A., Li, K., Sone, Y., & Lam, V. (2021). Evaluating deliberative participation from a social learning perspective: A case study of the 2012 National Energy Deliberative Polling in post-Fukushima Japan. Environmental Policy and Governance.
(http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2213)
Mah, D., Cheung, D. M.-w., Leung, M. K. H., Wang, M. Y., Wong, M., Wai-ming,, Lo, K., & Cheung, A. T.-f. (Accepted). Policy mixes and the policy learning process of energy transitions: Insight from the feed-in tariff policy and urban community solar in Hong Kong. Energy Policy.
Mah, D. (Accepted). Assessing and understanding the outcomes of social learning in nuclear governance: A case study of the 2012 National Energy Deliberative Polling in post- Fukushima Japan. Environmental Policy and Governance.
Yip, A. O.-n., Mah, D., & Barber, L. B. (Accepted). Revealing the hidden aspect of energy poverty in Hong Kong: A multi-dimensional framework for examining and understanding energy poverty. Local Environment.
Mah, D. N.-Y. (2020). Conceptualising government-market dynamics in socio-technical energy transitions: A comparative case study of smart grid developments in China and Japan. Geoforum, 108, 148-168. doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.07.025
Mah, D. & Cheung, D. (2020). Conceptualizing Niche–Regime Dynamics of Energy Transitions from a Political Economic Perspective: Insights from Community-Led Urban Solar in Seoul. Sustainability, 12(12), 4818.
(https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/6833/)
Yip, A. O.-n., Mah, D. N.-y., & Barber, L. B. (2020). Revealing hidden energy poverty in Hong Kong: a multi-dimensional framework for examining and understanding energy poverty. Local Environment, 25(7), 473-491. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2020.1778661
Castan Broto, V., Mah, D. N.-y., Huang, P., Lo, K., Zhang, F., & Westman, L. (2020). Spatiotemporal perspectives on urban energy transitions: A comparative study of three cities in China. Urban Transformations 2, 11. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-020-00015-9
Fuller, S., Barber, L. B., & Mah, D. N.-y. (2019). Narratives of energy poverty in Hong Kong. Energy and Buildings, 191, 52-58. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.03.015
Mah, D. N.-y. (2019). Community solar energy initiatives in urban energy transitions: A comparative study of Foshan, China and Seoul, South Korea. Energy Research & Social Science, 50, 129-142. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.11.011
Mah, D. N.-Y., Lam, V., Siu, A., Ye, H., Ogata, S., & Wu, Y.-Y. (2018). Understanding undergraduate students’ perceptions of dynamic pricing policies: An exploratory study of two pilot deliberative pollings (DPs) in Guangzhou, China and Kyoto, Japan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 202, 160-173. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.255
Mah, D. N.-y., Wang, G., Lo, K., Leung, M. K. H., Hills, P., & Lo, A. Y. (2018). Barriers and policy enablers for solar photovoltaics (PV) in cities: Perspectives of potential adopters in Hong Kong. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 92, 921-936. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.041
Lo, K., Mah, D. N.-Y., Wang, G., Leung, M. K. H., Lo, A. Y., & Hills, P. (2018). Barriers to adopting solar photovoltaic systems in Hong Kong. Energy & Environment. doi:10.1177/0958305X18757402
Mah, D., Wu, Y., & Hills, P. (2017). “Explaining the role of incumbent utilities in sustainable energy transitions: A case study of the smart grid development in China”. Energy Policy, 109, 794-806. doi:/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.06.059
Mah, D., and Hills, P. (2014). “Participatory governance for energy policy-making: A case study of the UK nuclear consultation in 2007”. Energy Policy, 74, 340-351. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2858/)
Mah, D., and Hills, P. (2014). “Policy learning and central-local relations: A case study of the pricing policies for wind energy in China (from 1994 to 2009)”. Environmental Policy and Governance. Special Issue: Multi-level Governance and the Environment: Intergovernmental Relations and Innovation in Environmental Policy, 24(3), 216-232. May/June 2014.(https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2217/)
Mah, D., Hills, P., Tao, J., (2014). “Risk perception, trust and public engagement of nuclear decision-making: Results of a Hong Kong survey and policy implications”. Energy Policy, 73, 368-390. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2218/)
Mah, D., and Hills, P. (2014). “An international review of local governance for climate change: Implications for Hong Kong”. Local Environment. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2623/)
Mah, D. and Hills, P. (2014), “Collaborative governance for technological innovation: a comparative case-study of wind energy in Xinjiang”. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 32(3), 509-529. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/6830/)
Mah, D., Wu, YY., Ip, J., Hills, P. (2013), “The role of the state in sustainable energy transitions: A case study of large smart grid demonstration projects in Japan”, Energy Policy, 63, 726-737. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2213/)
Mah, D., Van der Vleuten, J., Hills, P. and Tao, J., (2012). “Consumer perceptions of smart grid development: Results of a Hong Kong Survey and policy implications”, Energy Policy, 49, 204-216. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/2080/)
Mah, D., van der Vleuten, J., Ip, J. and Hills, P. (2012) “Governing the transition of socio-technical systems: a case study of the development of smart grids in Korea”, Energy Policy, 45: 133-141. (https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/6831/)
Mah, D. and Hills, P. (2012) “Collaborative Governance for Sustainable Development: Wind Resource Assessment in Xinjiang and Guangdong Provinces, China”, Sustainable Development (a SSCI journal), 20(2), 85–97.
Tao, J. and Mah, D. (2009), “Between Market and State: Dilemmas of Environmental Governance in China’s SO2 Emission Trading”, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 27: 175-188.
Mah, D. and Hills, P. (2008), “Central-local Relations and Pricing Policies for Wind Energy in China”, The China Review, 8 (2): 261-293.
D) Consulting Reports
Mah, D., K. Lo, & P. Hills. (2017). Hong Kong’s Solar PV Future: Stakeholder Perspectives (A Study Report). Hong Kong: Greenpeace; Worldwide Fund for Nature.
Mah, D., Wang, G., Lo, K., Hills, P., & Lo, A. Y. H. (2016). Policy Analysis on the Potential of Rooftop PV in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: CLP Power Hong Kong Limited.
Mah, D. & Hills, P. (2013), Opportunities, Drivers and Barriers to Electricity Market Reform in Hong Kong: Perspectives of Large Electricity Users. Hong Kong: Greenpeace East Asia (a commissioned study).
Mah, D. & Hills, P. (2010), Hong Kong’s Vulnerability to Global Climate Change Impacts: An Oxfam Report on a 2010 Public Survey and Policy Recommendations. Hong Kong: Oxfam. (Download)