Discover the Impact of the ITS Programme: Insights from Our First Cohorts

These experiences broadened my perspectives and allowed me to interact with leading experts in the field, and engage in collaborative transdisciplinary projects in diverse fields, such as geochemistry and biochemistry.

Specific ITS courses on research methodologies and transdisciplinary approaches have been pivotal. A particularly inspiring lecture in linguistics propelled my interest in multidisciplinary research approaches and expanded my horizons beyond environmental analytical chemistry. Through collaborative projects, I explored how technology intersects with social sciences. For instance, the project on air pollution in a basin city enhanced my skills in environmental science and provided insights into real-world applications of GIS and Remote Sensing systems. This experience underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges.

I owe much of my success to my supervisor, Prof. Zongwei Cai, whose insightful research guidance, support, and resources were instrumental in my achievements.

My research was published in journals such as IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing and presented at international conferences, including the 2023 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) and the International Conference on Geoinformatics. I received honors like the "Postgraduate Outstanding Publication Award" from HKBU’s Department of Geography and the 2nd Runner-Up in the Hong Kong Geography Day Postgraduate Student Paper Competition in 2022.

The interdisciplinary seminars and workshops offered by the ITS programme kept me updated on the latest developments in deep learning and provided practical experience in applying these technologies to environmental challenges. These experiences significantly refined my multidisciplinary research approach and were instrumental in my success in securing a postdoctoral position, where I now apply my expertise in urban planning and design.

I am immensely grateful to my supervisors, Professors Meng Gao and Qiming Zhou, for their guidance. Professor Gao in particular encouraged me to explore new research avenues focused on AI applications in geospatial science that has expanded my horizon. 

Currently, I'm working on an exciting project that explores the dynamics of opinion and partisanship among U.S. Congress members regarding climate action. By employing advanced computational methods, we analyze trends in how these decision-makers communicate about climate change, particularly through social media. Our research delves into the language used in tweets over several congressional sessions, revealing the potential foresight into the bipartisan collective action on climate issues.

I feel blessed to have had the guidance and support of three exceptional supervisors across fields of communication, computer science, and transdisciplinary studies: Prof. Yunya Song, Dr. Liang Lan, and Dr. Yin Zhang. Their mentorship has profoundly shaped who I am today.

ITS Programme has hosted multiple research seminars and lectures by prominent scholars from diverse research fields, encouraging me to think beyond my original perspective and engage with innovative ideas. Most importantly, the ITS Programme provided the platform for innovation and creativity, with ample guidance and support along the way. The synergy of scholarly work and connections among individuals from different disciplines is, in my view, essential for the future.