Professor Richard M WALKER, Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Chan Hon Pun Professor of Behavioural and Policy Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (UK) in recognition of the standing and impact of his works, and his substantial contribution to wider social science going beyond the normal requirements of his position.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in the UK, the Academy of Social Sciences is a national academy of academics, learned societies and practitioners in social sciences. It promotes research, publishes learned material, distributes information, organises workshops and events, and contributes to public debates on issues affecting the social sciences. It also responds to Government and other consultations on behalf of the social science community, and sponsors a number of schemes that promote social science and enhance its value to society. 

A renowned scholar and internationally-acclaimed expert in the public administration sector, Prof Walker’s research interests range from public management and performance, citizen-government relationship to understanding human behaviour in the policy process. He is the President of the Public Management Research Association and served on the Board of Directors of the International Research Society for Public Management. He is also a member of a number of editorial boards, including the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Public Administration, Public Administration Review and Public Management Review.

The current accolade adds to Prof Walker’s numerous awards and distinctions. He won the Louis Brownlow Award bestowed by The American Society for Public Administration earlier this year.

“I have been fortunate to have received awards within my discipline of public administration, but to receive a fellowship for the social sciences makes me particularly proud,” Prof Walker said. He believes the award of the fellowship means more than his own achievement but reflects the growing strength in the social sciences at CityU. "It will open up further opportunities to build upon the extensive international collaborative relationships within the College to drive social science research at CityU to the next level,” he said.

Apart from eminent academics having a track record of excellent social science research and strong publications, the Academy’s some 1,400 fellows also comprise leading social science professionals from public and private sectors.