Originally from Wimbledon in London, Prof Jack Laurie HARRIS joined CUHK in 2024 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management. His research spans industrial development, sustainable transitions and high-tech clusters, with more recent work extending into green finance and green financial technology.

Before coming to Hong Kong, Prof HARRIS pursued his postgraduate studies in Amsterdam and Singapore. His experience of living and working in different parts of the world informs the broad perspective he brings to the College community. As he explained, economic geography draws on ideas from economics, political science and sociology to examine the world holistically. Geographers consider issues such as uneven development and spatial and social inequalities, while also seeking possible solutions.

It was the close-knit character of CW Chu College that particularly appealed to him. ‘I wanted to join a small college,’ he said. Although he had been advised that a larger college might have more resources, he was attracted to the stronger sense of community that a smaller college could provide. ‘To me, that feels closer to what a college is meant to be, rather than a massive organization where you may not know most of the people.’

Prof HARRIS has already begun getting to know students beyond the classroom through the College’s ‘First Step Meetup’. Launched last year, the initiative brings a College teacher together with a small group of freshmen for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Neither the teacher nor the students know in advance who else will be attending, creating an informal opportunity for new students and teachers to meet and, potentially, to begin a mentoring relationship.

Prof HARRIS participated in the initiative on two occasions. On 31 January, he met four new students over a meal at a local restaurant. On 28 February, he had Japanese ramen with another group of three students. He likened the element of surprise to ‘a blind date’, since participants do not know whom they will meet, but found the experience enjoyable and welcomed the opportunity to interact with students in a relaxed setting.

As a geographer, Prof HARRIS hopes to contribute a distinctive perspective to College life and would be particularly pleased to mentor students interested in geography. He is also looking forward to meeting students whom he might not otherwise encounter through his departmental teaching and to watching them develop over the years.

The College’s physical setting has already made a strong impression on him. Approaching from Campus Circuit North, he observed, the College building looks particularly beautiful against the surrounding landscape. For this young academic from Wimbledon, CW Chu College offers both a striking new setting and the kind of close community in which he hopes to make a lasting contribution.