About the event
The first conference and official launch of the Network for the Study of Social Ecological System (SES) Transformation will take place as a two-day event on 5–6 May 2026, organised by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong.
The network brings together scholars working on social-ecological systems, governance, commons, cultural heritage, environmental policy, and sustainability transitions from a range of institutions across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Conference conveners:
- Professor Wai-Fung Lam, Director, Centre for Civil Society and Governance
- Dr. Vivian Chu, Lecturer and Programme Co-Director of Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance, Centre for Civil Society and Governance
A Dialogue on Building Resilient Urban-Rural Partnerships
10:00 – 10:20
Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:20 – 10:30
Photos
10:30 – 10:50
Keynote Topic 1: Toward a Common Language in Social-Ecological System? A Meta-Analysis
- Professor Yahua Wang, Professor, School of Public Policy and Management and President, China Institute for Rural Studies, Tsinghua University
10:50 – 11:10
Keynote Topic 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Co-production for Social-Ecological System Resilience
- Dr. Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Research Fellow Emeritus, International Food Policy Research Institute
11:15 – 11:45
Coffee Break
11:45 – 12:45
Panel Discussion
Discussants:
- Professor Wai-Fung Lam, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU
- Professor Maiko Nishi, Nihon University
- Professor Ching Ping Tang, National Chengchi University
- Professor Stephen M.B. Tang, BBS, Head, Countryside Conservation Office
Moderator: Dr. Winnie Law, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU
A Regional Research Dialogue on Social-Ecological System Transformation
14:45 – 15:00
Introduction to the Network for the Study of Social Ecological System (SES) Transformation by conference conveners
- Professor Wai-Fung Lam, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU
- Dr. Vivian Chu, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU
14:55 – 15:05
Introduction to Society for Social-Ecological Systems (SocSES)
- Professor Alta de Vos, Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University and Professor Maiko Nishi, Nihon University
15:05 – 16:00
Roundtable discussion
Sharing of research questions and formation of breakout groups
16:00 – 16:20
Coffee Break
16:20 – 17:45
Breakout group discussion
Further discussion to further align and refine research questions
18:00 – 20:30
Dinner
9:15 – 10:30
Workshop – Empowering practitioners: translating academic concepts and findings into actionable information for practitioners
- Dr. Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
10:30 – 10:45
Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:45
Breakout group discussion
Continued from 5th May
Discussions on next steps and intended output of working group
12:00 – 13:30
Lunch
Field Trip: Long Valley and Lok Ma Chau
13:45
Coach Departure from HKU
14:15 – 18:15
Tour
18:15
Coach Departure to City Centre
18:45
End of Event