Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) Sustainability Seminar Series Fall 2025 - From Science to International Policy Development: Ten Years of Research to Reframe Technology Governance for Smart City Innovation
Supporting the below United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:支持以下聯合國可持續發展目標：支持以下联合国可持续发展目标：
As urbanization accelerates, cities face increasingly complex sustainability challenges, from energy inefficiencies and water scarcity to housing inequality and environmental degradation. In response, smart city projects are being adopted globally to harness digital technologies for public value creation. However, the governance of such initiatives remains fragmented, often constrained by a lack of strategic vision, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and limited civic participation. This presentation draws on over a decade of research on smart city governance and is informed by the outcomes of multiple projects conducted under the framework of the United Nations’ People-Centred Smart Cities program. These initiatives have helped translate academic insights into international policy guidelines that support national and local governments in managing digital transitions in ethical, inclusive, and sustainable ways. The presentation explores the ongoing paradigm shift from traditional government to multi-actor governance, emphasizing the need for collaborative and context-sensitive models. It offers strategic insights into how public institutions can overcome common governance inefficiencies and institutionalize digital transformation processes. Ultimately, the presentation aims to help bridge the gap between research and practice, providing actionable recommendations for managing smart city governance in ways that ensure inclusivity, accountability, and the delivery of public value.
Date
3 Dec 2025 (Wed)
Time
10:30am-12:00pm (HKT)
Format
In-person & Zoom
Topic
“From Science to International Policy Development: Ten Years of Research to Reframe Technology Governance for Smart City Innovation”
Speaker
Prof. Luca Mora - Professor of Urban Innovation, Business School of Edinburgh Napier University, UK
Moderator
Prof. Masaru Yarime, Associate Professor, Division of Public Policy & Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Registration
https://ust.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_czErNwKU90kFWXI
Professor Mora is Professor of Urban Innovation at the Business School of Edinburgh Napier University, UK, where he serves as Head of Department (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), and is the Founding Director of the Urban Innovation Policy Lab (https://www.unitylab.science). This multidisciplinary research lab brings together 28 academics whose expertise spans social sciences, engineering, and technology management. Professor Mora also holds a position as Professor of Urban Innovation at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia, where he contributes to the development of the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities: a £28 million (HK$ 334 million) initiative supported by the Estonian Government and the European Commission through the Horizon Europe programme. With over 10 years of experience in multidisciplinary research at the intersection of public administration, science and technology studies, urban studies, and innovation management, Professor Mora is best known for his scholarly work on smart city governance. His research has been published in leading international journals, including Public Administration Review (CABS 4*), Information Systems Journal (CABS 4), Organization Studies (CABS 4, FT 50), Regional Studies (CABS 4), Organization (CABS 3), Technological Forecasting and Social Change (CABS 3), Technovation (CABS 3), Government Information Quarterly (CABS 3), and Nature Cities. Professor Mora has served as an academic consultant for several intergovernmental organizations, including the European Commission, the United Nations (UN), and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. He is the author of four UN reports focused on digital transformation governance in urban areas. His work has contributed to securing over £37 million (HK$ 386 million) in research and consultancy funding, primarily through European and UN funding schemes. Of this funding, approximately £13.3 million (HK$ 139 million) was allocated directly to his host institutions, supporting research infrastructure, academic staffing, and long-term institutional development. In addition to his research and consulting roles, Professor Mora is Editor-in-Chief of Technological Forecasting and Social Change and has guest-edited nine Special Issues on digital transformation management for leading academic journals. He is also featured in Stanford University's prestigious Top 2% Scientists list, which recognizes the world’s most influential researchers, and is ranked by ScholarGPS among the world’s top scholars in smart city research (#16 worldwide).