Professor Shunlin Liang Pioneers Global Quantitative Remote Sensing Research
Professor Shunlin Liang, Chair Professor of Remoting Sensing and Head of the Department of Geography, focuses on utilising large artificial intelligence (AI) models combined with big data to evaluate and extract practical information from remote sensing satellite data that can be directly applied to address environmental and socio-economic issues, aiding in sustainable development and tackling global environmental and social change challenges.
To support the advocacy of open science and open data, Professor Liang and his research team have made their information products available online for free global access, forming an internationally influential data set known as “GLASS” (Global Land Surface Satellite). This dataset is currently used by more than 300,000 people worldwide, fostering knowledge transfer and making their scientific research more socially impactful.
Professor Liang previously worked for NASA science teams and spent 30 years at the University of Maryland before joining HKU through the HKSAR government’s Global STEM Professorship Scheme. With the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, he established the JC STEM Lab of Quantitative Remote Sensing in 2024. The Lab focuses on using AI models combined with big data to process and analyse massive amounts of satellite data, transforming them into useful information to solve environmental, social and economic problems – a trend that represents the forefront of global development in this field.
About JC STEM Lab of Quantitative Remote Sensing
Led by Professor Shunlin Liang, the JC STEM Lab of Quantitative Remote Sensing, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was established in 2024. The Lab focuses on the application of remote sensing technology in environmental monitoring and analysis. Research directions include climate change, land use change, ecosystem services, among others, utilising advanced remote sensing techniques and data analysis methods to provide environmental management and decision support.