Email: stsm@hku.hk

Brief Biography

Dr. Sarah Liao is currently Master of New College at The University of Hong Kong, Honorary Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, and Honorary Advisor in the Faculty of Social Sciences. She is a member of the Chinese Council of International Cooperation on Environment and Development since 2009 and is on the Board of Trustees of the Environmental Defense Fund.

Dr. Liao was formerly the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works of the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2002-2007 when she managed a budget of over 40B HK dollars per annum and adopted sustainable development strategies in her policies to achieve a balanced approach in social and economic development while protecting the environment at the same time. She also encouraged public engagement to building strong community awareness and encouraged the usage of new technologies wherever possible. Prior to her Government appointment Dr. Liao was in the consultancy business and amongst her many projects she was engaged as the environmental consultant to the Beijing's Olympic Bid and Organizing Committee in 2000-2008. She was Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor of HKU from 2008 to 2014 and Acting Director of the Kadoorie Institute from 2012 to 2016.

Dr. Liao is a Fellow of the Royal Chemistry Society, the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers and The University of Hong Kong. She was awarded the Members of the British Empire (MBE), and Justice of Peace and the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government.