Meet Dr. Alvin LI, Lecturer of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) and a proud alumnus with a PhD in Public Policy, as he reflects on how his academic journey shaped his mission to drive meaningful social impact. Through diverse coursework, hands-on research, and close mentorship, his HKUST experience empowered him to grow as a scholar and educator, while nurturing his vision for cultivating the next generation of policy leaders.

Discover how his time at PPOL equipped him to bridge knowledge and practice in addressing pressing challenges in climate, health, and social equity.

-----

Could you tell us about your background?

I'm a Hong Kong local who grew up here before pursuing medical school and then business school in the UK. After completing my Master's in Management at the University of Cambridge, I returned home to Hong Kong with a clear mission: creating social impact through social entrepreneurship.

But co-founding startups in the digital education and eco-friendly products spaces taught me something important: While technology and business can be powerful forces for good, the larger, systemic issues like climate change, public health, and social equity still require higher-level policy support to create real change. This realisation sparked my decision to pursue a PhD in Public Policy, driven by a desire to understand how major decisions are made and how we can transform existing systems to address these critical challenges.

After graduating with my PhD, I discovered my true calling in teaching. I'm currently a teaching faculty lecturer at the Division of Public Policy here at HKUST, where I have the privilege of shaping the next generation of policy leaders.

Could you share the reasons of choosing your program at HKUST? 

There's genuinely no better place than HKUST to study and research public policy in the 21st century! Hong Kong offers a unique position in the world with its remarkably complex and rich societal, cultural, political, and economic landscape. Policymaking here, where "East meets West" in such an authentic way, creates fascinating and highly contextual challenges you simply won't find elsewhere.

Moreover, we're witnessing an era where science, technology, and AI are rapidly transforming societies in unprecedented ways. There's an urgent need for more robust, ethical, and well-regulated development of these emerging applications — and this is exactly where cutting-edge policy research becomes so important.

Combine this dynamic environment with the diverse world-class faculty and cutting-edge research projects at the Division of Public Policy, plus a culture of collaboration and spirit of innovation… I simply wouldn't choose anywhere else!

Could you share your enjoyable experience during your study? And any support and opportunities that have helped with your career development?

I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom to choose many elective courses and craft my own PhD learning experience. One of my favourite courses, Ethics for Public Policy, fundamentally strengthened the way I think about and approach policymaking in meaningful ways.

I also valued our "brown bag" lunch sessions where students and faculty would gather informally to discuss topics beyond our research, like sharing career experiences, exploring innovative AI tools, and receiving invaluable advice from professors. These conversations were incredibly enriching and memorable.

My wonderful relationship with my PhD supervisor, Prof. Kira MATUS, truly made all the difference to my learning journey. From the get-go, I was given multiple opportunities to draft grant proposals together (which we successfully won), write and revise journal articles (which we published), and experiment with datasets to develop essential data analysis skills. I was allowed to choose whether to dip my toes or dive into the deep end; what an exciting and effective way to learn as much and as quickly as possible!

Lastly, as a teaching assistant, I was incredibly grateful to play a hands-on role in co-designing course content and assignments alongside the professors. Having my thoughts and ideas valued and respected was deeply meaningful to my development.

Do you have any advice for your fellow classmates? 

Always stay curious and open-minded about how the world works and how you can personally make an impact. This is the key to creating real meaning from your years of study! The real world isn't found in textbooks, assignments, or even journal articles alone. Take what you learn out of the classroom and make your mark in the actual world where these ideas matter most. Trust me, you are more capable and impactful than you think – Add oil!