“Research Mingle” event spotlights interdisciplinary pursuits for one green Earth
In the week of Earth Day, our “Research Mingle” event spotlighting unified interdisciplinary approaches for one Earth, aimed at fostering a future of sustainability. As our speaker, Professor Chris Wong said, “In one research environment, we are working together to save our one environment – one Earth.”
On the common ground of the significance and contributions of researchers from across the disciplines towards a green future, everyone was deeply impressed by the interdisciplinary projects shared by Professor Chris Wong from the Department of Biology and Director of Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, along with Dr Daphne Mah from the Department of Geography and Director of Asian Energy Studies Centre.
Responding to EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme of 2024 Earth Day “Planet vs Plastics”, Professor Wong signified the environmental and health issues relating to plastics and other man-made chemicals. From human health to planetary health, he shared his research efforts on plastics spanning obesity, diabetes, cancers and environmental chemicals’ effects on humans. “As a scientist, we rely on non-scientists to look at a different angle to solve the bigger problem,” said Professor Wong.
Dr Mah concurred with Professor Wong by sharing her interdisciplinary Research Impact Fund (RIF)-awarded project on the local smart energy communities. “This project is interdisciplinary, inter-universities, multi-sectoral and international,” Dr Mah introduced her project fusing application-based big data analytics and deep community engagement, involving experts from computer science, social sciences and visual arts. She highlighted Dr Kevin Lo from her Department as a key collaborator, who was also the articulate MC of the event.
The audience was excited about discussing the coordination between various sectors, and what different experts could do to collaborate on creating a larger research impact in society. They affirmed scientists’ role in providing concrete facts, social scientists' and communication experts’ ability to engage and mobilise people, and others like business professionals in making proposed solutions feasible. Combining technical solutions for human behavioural issues, education and researchers’ specialities, everyone is and will continue contributing to a sustainable future, for ourselves and the next generation.
Our Office was thrilled that our participating researchers shared a unanimous appreciation for the power of interdisciplinary research. Equally important was their shared vision of a more environmentally conscious world, with everyone keen on bringing their expertise to the table. The event may have ended, but it has set the stage for a series of future endeavours where commitment to our planet Earth will continue to thrive.
For more upcoming events of the “Research Mingle” series, please stay tuned to our event page. Discover more exciting research news, events and stories of our talented HKBU researchers on our LinkedIn page.
