After two days of effective proceedings, the Asia-Pacific Politics and Public Administration Conference (APPPA) & the 8th Empirical Political Science in Hong Kong Workshop (EPSHK) have come to a successful close.
On behalf of the conference organizing committee, Professor Jiangnan Zhu delivered the closing speech on the afternoon of May 17th. She reflected on the 2-in-1 conference as an academic journey crossing time and space: Through the original research and the diverse range of topics presented by scholars and RPg students, conference participants met from Polish nobleman to modern political elites, from lawyers to immigrants and even panda; witnessed intercity competitions and climate pledges, talked about foreign policies and supply chains; and travelled between the digital world and the real world.
Her punchline, which cleverly tied together the participants’ diverse research topics, brought the house down: “While the US and China may be in rivalry, we wish they could date and marry again. We hear about machine learning all the time; the machine learned, but we learned even more. Despite the possibility of Type I or Type II errors, our conference is undoubtedly a success! With the valuable feedback you’ve gained from the conference, we wish everyone a future with rich publications!”
Professor Zhu also encouraged conference participants to submit their work to the Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration (APJPA)—a rapidly rising journal, as introduced by Professors James Perry and Danny Lam on May 16th.
The conference has received numerous accolades from the participants and here’s a few blurbs selected:
“Congratulations to the conference organizers for a well-organized and worthwhile event. The format was quite effective, with 15 minutes for each presentation and two designated discussants who covered all papers in a session. This stimulated good audience participation as well. There was plenty of opportunity to follow up with interesting colleagues during tea breaks, meals, and other occasions. Many of the papers were quite interesting, and I’ve already had follow-up dialogues with three newly met colleagues over shared research interests. The final banquet was splendid, as was the magnificent view of Hong Kong. Thank you for the kind invitation, and best wishes for your next event. You’ve set a high bar!” Professor Eric J. Heikkila, USC Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California.
“As a U.S.-based scholar, attending the APPPA and EPSHK conference at HKU was both intellectually enriching and personally meaningful. The thoughtful discussions, regional insights, and warm collegiality reminded me why international academic exchange is so vital. I left feeling inspired and energized by the connections made and ideas shared,” Professor Can Chen, Georgia State University.
“This conference was exceptionally well-organized and well-attended. I not only benefited greatly from feedback on the research I presented but also had the great honor of meeting in person some esteemed scholars whose work I have long admired and learning from their insights and advice. It was also fun to participate in lively discussions on cutting-edge research in political science and public administration with scholars from the local region and around the world. I’m sure the event will become an annual highlight for summer gatherings of political scientists and public administration researchers interested in Asia-Pacific and beyond.” Professor Haifeng Huang, The Ohio State University.
“Truly one of the most rewarding conferences I’ve attended in recent years! Many thoughtful presentations and a wonderfully collegial atmosphere.” Professor Ji Li, University of California, Irvine.
“It was my first time visiting the University of Hong Kong and the Department of Politics and Public Administration. I was deeply impressed by the well-organized conference and the vibrant academic atmosphere. The event brought together top scholars from across the Asia-Pacific region, offering some of the highest-quality research papers I have encountered. I was also struck by the meticulous planning and warm hospitality—from the well-structured agenda and thoughtful arrangements to the delicious meals and the incredible support from the staff. It truly was both an academic feast and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. What stood out to me as well was the strong presence of scholars from mainland Chinese universities. The conference provided a valuable platform for exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland academia, fostering closer ties and mutual understanding. I’m confident that under the guidance of HKU faculty, future conferences and journal projects will continue to grow in impact and excellence.” Professor Sicheng Chen, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University.
“It was such a fantastic event! With top-notch gatherings like the APPPA and EPSHK, we might not need to trek all the way to the USA for APSA or MPSA to get feedback on our projects and papers with jet lag.” Professor Atsushi Tago, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University.
“It was truly a pleasure to take part in the poster session, where I received insightful and constructive feedback from many outstanding scholars. The experience not only helped improve my current project but also clarified future directions for my research.” Jaeseog Yang, RPg student, Waseda University.
“This is my first time attending the Asia-Pacific Politics and Public Administration Conference (APPPA) and the Empirical Political Science in Hong Kong Workshop (EPSHK), as well as presenting a poster. This opportunity is invaluable for showcasing my dissertation before completing my PhD. While poster presentations can be challenging due to time constraints, they serve as excellent practice for young scholars. The feedback and discussions I receive will greatly aid my future research and academic growth. I had such a wonderful experience! Everyone involved—both the participants and the conference committee—was incredibly kind and thoughtful. I was overwhelmed by the encouraging questions and lively discussions, which truly inspired me for my future academic journey. I can’t wait to come back again!” Chatchada Kumlungpat, RPg student, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan.
“My research interests lie in public attitudes, distributive politics, and historical political economy, with a regional focus on China. As a first-year MPhil student in Government and Public Administration at CUHK, I feel honored to have presented our empirical research through a poster session in APPPA. This conference provided an invaluable platform for me to engage in scholarly exchanges about Chinese politics, explore cutting-edge research, and receive constructive feedback for refining current research work. Attending APPPA and EPSHK has been an immensely rewarding experience,” Xuehan Li, RPg student, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“I would say that the APPPA and EPSHK conference has provided an excellent platform for participants to explore a great diversity of topics and connect with scholars from Asia Pacific in the 2-day intensive program. As a postgraduate poster presenter, I benefited a lot from talking to the participants from other universities who used similar analytical methods in research and knowing what they might be wondering about my work. The exchange of views not only enriched the intellectual discussion in a way I have never thought of, but it also allowed me to make new academic friends by sharing our distinctive and yet similar experiences in doctoral programs!” Anthony Li, PRg student, The University of Hong Kong.
“The conference created a vibrant and collaborative environment where participants had ample time to share their knowledge, exchange ideas, and provide constructive feedback. As a poster presenter, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to showcase my research and receive valuable suggestions from scholars in my field as well as fresh perspectives from participants in other relevant disciplines. The feedback I received has been instrumental in refining my research and broadening my understanding of the subject. I believe this conference is an incredible platform for junior scholars and RPG students to engage with experienced academics, share their ideas, and gain insights that could propel their research forward. It fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and offers a rare chance to explore new approaches and innovative methods that might not be immediately apparent within one’s own field.” Jie Niu, RPg student, The University of Hong Kong.
“Participating in the poster exhibition felt like selling a product. We need to present our research in an engaging and accessible way, respond to questions from potential “buyers,” and find ways to capture their interest. Regardless of whether anyone “bought” my work or not, I gained valuable insights and encouragement through this dynamic and interactive platform.” Qin Li, RPg student, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“What a journey! As a third-year PhD candidate at King’s College London and a visiting PhD student at the University of Hong Kong for over a year, I was deeply moved by the vibrant community of scholars in public administration and political science attending the APPPA and EPSHK joint conference. What struck me most was the profound, candid way everyone engaged with each other’s work. The atmosphere wasn’t just academic—it was a genuine pursuit of truth, where honest critiques and thoughtful insights flowed freely. This ‘truth-seeking’ spirit shattered the stereotype of cutthroat competition, revealing an everlasting collective motive: a shared passion for unpacking the black box of how power works and challenging the impossible. I walked away energized, with fresh perspectives and new connections that will shape my path forward. May this gathering and our field continue to flourish, inspiring and uniting us all.” Xinyi Yin, RPg student, King’s College London.
On behalf of the conference organizing committee, Professor Zhu sent her special thanks to:
- All the discussants, who read the papers swiftly in a short time and provided concise and high-quality comments, turning the conference into a master class;
- All the participants, for actively raising insightful questions. Their presence made this event more than the sum of its parts;
- The chairs, for their moderation that ensured the conference’s objective—fostering dialogue on cutting-edge research in politics and public administration in the Asia-Pacific and beyond—was achieved;
- The RPg students from around the world, who brought beautifully crafted posters to share their research;
- The student helpers, whose hard work was indispensable. Without their contributions, this conference would not have been possible.
- Professor Robert Thomson, Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and Professor WEN Ming, Dean of Social Sciences, for their unwavering support and trust;
- The administrative colleagues of the PPA Department and the faculty, who employed their Hong Kong efficiency and professionalism to make the conference happen in a month.
