We are looking to appoint a full-time Research Fellow at the School of Humanities in Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

The incumbent will be part of one of a collaborative team of three postdoctoral research fellows based in NTU’s History Department working on the history of environmental crises and epidemics in colonial Hong Kong led by Assistant Professor Florence Mok. This timely and innovative study will shed light on the current global crises of climate change and pandemics by tracing past practices used to alleviate emergencies in a densely populated and newly-urbanised environment which had an under-developed welfare system, supported by a narrow tax base: these are conditions that are found in many parts of the world today. Historicising natural disasters will enrich the academic discourse on environmental changes and urbanisation.

The fellowship position is a fixed term post for 12 months, with a possibility of further extension.

About the Project

This study will make an original contribution to the political, social and environmental history of modern Asia, British colonialism and the Cold War by exploring how the colonial government and the Chinese society in Hong Kong mitigated environmental crises from 1945 to 1980, a period with growing policy initiatives, increased economic affluence and rising political and social consciousness. It will focus on the state and popular responses to Hong Kong’s four most common natural crises under the subtropical climate: typhoon, water shortages, flooding and seasonal epidemics. The proposed study will use a traditional historical approach of examining published sources and archival manuscripts in Hong Kong and London. The main objective is to investigate investment in new technologies and infrastructures, the alternation of landscapes, socio-political mobilisations such as mutual-aid committees and state propaganda. It also explores how knowledge of crisis management was transferred between Hong Kong and former British colonies. Hong Kong was a Cold War pivot in Asia. Many measures taken by the state therefore were influenced by geopolitics and Cold War dynamics, in particular Britain’s relations with China and the United States. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Examine the data collected from the Hong Kong Public Records Offices and the National Archives at Kew.

• Carry out literature survey on Hong Kong history and different theories, in particular work related to concept of resilience, state-society relations and human reactions towards crises and natural disasters.

• Coordinate with the History Research Fellow and PI, apply theoretical frameworks to the historical/archival findings.

• Use quantitative methods to analyse the effectiveness of the crisis management measures implemented by the colonial government in Hong Kong.

• Work with PI and turn the findings into journal articles for submission.

• Organise seminars and conferences on the research topic.

Job Requirements:

• PhD in History/Economics/Social Science, specializing post-war Hong Kong studies, theories related to culture of resilience, crisis management and state-society relations.

• Knowledge in quantitative methods and ability to analyse statistics.

• Ability to read and interpret Chinese sources; fluency in Cantonese would be advantageous. This is essential to conduct research and analyse the data in relation to Hong Kong.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build productive relationships within the research team and beyond NTU.

• Highly self-motivated, capable of working independently as well as part of a team.

Interested applicants may apply with submission of the following:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) Cover letter of no more than 2 pages which addresses your suitability for the fellowship

3) Statement of no more than 1 page of your potential contribution to the project.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.