City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held an award ceremony on 27 March to commend 32 CityUHK scholars who were named “Highly Cited Researchers 2024”by Clarivate. CityUHK is ranked 29th globally, 8th in Asia and 2nd in Hong Kong in terms of the number of highly cited researchers. Calculated as a proportion of the University’s overall faculty and research staff, the number of CityUHK scholars selected has been ranked first in Hong Kong for nine consecutive years, demonstrating the outstanding influence of CityUHK’s faculty and research team in the global academic community and the high recognition of their research achievements by their international peers. This achievement affirms CityUHK’s exceptional research capabilities and underscores its steadfast commitment to promoting academic development and knowledge innovation.

Clarivate’s “Highly Cited Researchers” list recognises top researchers who have made significant contributions in the sciences and social sciences. Selected scholars have published highly cited papers in their respective disciplines, placing them in the top 1% globally by citation impact. This year, 6,636 scholars from 59 countries and regions were named "Highly Cited Researchers 2024".

Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK, stated, “The outstanding research achievements of CityUHK scholars demonstrate that the University has a world-class faculty and research team committed to promoting academic development and knowledge innovation. CityUHK will continue to encourage interdisciplinary research collaboration, support cutting-edge research, innovate into the future, and make an even greater contribution to global academic progress and social development.”

Mr Steven Wang, Vice President, Greater China, Academia & Government at Clarivate, said, “Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list recognises the world’s most influential scientists and social scientists—those in the top 1%. We are here to celebrate CityUHK’s exceptional researchers. Congratulations to each of you. Your impactful work shapes the future of science and addresses critical societal challenges.”

One of the commended faculty members was Professor Lu Yi, Associate Professor from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. He and his research team focus on healthy cities, spatial analysis and environmental behaviour studies, working to understand how to create vibrant, walkable, green neighbourhoods that promote physical and mental well-being. They utilise urban big data to gain insights into how urban environments impact human behaviour, such as travel habits, park usage and social interaction.

He stated, “I have always been passionate about understanding and shaping the cities we live in. Given the complex challenges cities face today—ranging from public health to sustainability—I see this award as an encouragement to continue our pursuit of knowledge that benefits society. I also note that I am the only social scientist among my fellow researchers in the engineering and science disciplines. This highlights the interdisciplinary nature of architecture and urban planning—where social sciences and engineering must work together to create cities that are not only technologically advanced, but also inclusive, liveable and sustainable. While engineers build the physical infrastructure of cities, urban planners ensure that these spaces enhance people's well-being and quality of life.”