Global scholars gather at HSUHK for the 2026 IPPA International Summer School

21 - 26 June 2026

The inaugural International Public Policy Association (IPPA) International Summer School on Public Policy (Hong Kong Edition 2026) successfully concluded at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) from 21 to 26 June 2026, bringing together a dynamic community of emerging public policy scholars for a week of intensive learning, international exchange, and academic inspiration.

Positioned as a highly selective international programme, the Summer School attracted 140 applications from around the world and welcomed 92 outstanding participants. Among them, 43 scholars traveled to Hong Kong to join the on-site cohort, representing 42 renowned institutions across 18 countries and 16 nationalities. Spanning five continents — Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa — the cohort reflected the programme's strong global reach and academic distinction. Participants came from leading universities including the National University of Singapore (NUS), The University of Hong Kong (HKU), University College London (UCL), Humboldt University of Berlin, Jagiellonian University, Beihang University, and the University of Warsaw.

Photo Album

Learning from the Public Policy Scholars

Prof Azad Singh Bali

Prof Laura Chaqués Bonafont

Prof Joshua MOK Ka-ho

Dr Eva HUNG Po-wah

Course: Making Public Policies Work Effectively: Bringing Multiple Stakeholders' Perspectives Back in

Lead Instructor: Prof Azad Singh Bali

(University of Melbourne)

Focus

This course equips researchers to conceptualize and measure how governments architect policy and why those choices matter. Moving beyond a simple choice of tools, it trains participants to analyze policy through five core dimensions: the political and legal constraints of the design space, the behavioral impacts of specific instruments, the interactions within complex instrument mixes, the operational limits of policy capacity, and a policy's robustness against unexpected shocks. Ultimately, the course bridges theory and practice by teaching participants how to translate these abstract concepts into credible, measurable research indicators through hands-on data analysis.

Instructor Insights

"What made this experience truly unforgettable for me was the opportunity to interact with students from around the world – over 20 countries were represented this week. Learning about their research and witnessing the future of our discipline in such capable hands has left me deeply inspired and energised in my own work."

Course: The Politics of Policy Advice: Understanding Policy Advisory Systems

Lead Instructor: Laura Chaqués Bonafont

(University of Barcelona and IBEI)

Focus

The course frames policy advice as a highly political and institutional system. It trains participants to analyze how a diverse constellation of actors—including governments, think tanks, interest groups, experts, and the media—interact to frame problems and influence agendas. Ultimately, the course bridges theory and practice by using comparative real-world cases (such as health, digital, and crisis governance) to evaluate the political, democratic, and ethical implications of advice under conditions of uncertainty.

Instructor Insights

"I truly enjoyed the experience. The event was exceptionally well organized and professional, while everyone involved was remarkably supportive and kind – it truly felt like home. This warm and productive environment greatly facilitated open dialogue and cross cultural exchange, making the summer school not only enjoyable but also intellectually enriching."

Course: Making Public Policies Work Effectively: Bringing Multiple Stakeholders' Perspectives Back in

Lead Instructor: Prof MOK Ka-ho

(The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong)

Focus

This course focuses on how to make public policies work effectively by integrating multiple stakeholders' perspectives into the policy process. Using a collaborative case-study approach, the course examines public policy formulation and management within the complex environment of Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, balancing both local factors and the broader political economy context.

Instructor Insights

"Great to meet so many early career researchers and post doctoral fellows in public policy and management fields. The growing influence of geopolitics has affected policy making and implementation. The IPPA summer school offers a great platform for scholars to debate public policy and management issues from comparative and international perspectives. HSUHK, aspiring to lead in social and management sciences, is honoured to host the summer school to build research community promoting cross border cooperation. We welcome more international collaboration in years to come."

Course: Making Public Policies Work Effectively: Bringing Multiple Stakeholders' Perspectives Back in

Lead Instructor: Dr Eva HUNG Po-wah

(The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong)

Focus

This course focuses on how to make public policies work effectively by integrating multiple stakeholders' perspectives into the policy process. Using a collaborative case-study approach, the course examines public policy formulation and management within the complex environment of Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, balancing both local factors and the broader political economy context.

Instructor Insights

"I was very pleased to see HSUHK co‑host the first summer school in Hong Kong with IPPA. The students were enthusiastic, and the sessions encouraged active interaction, meaningful exchange, and fresh perspectives on public policy studies."

Voices from a Global Learning Community

With 43 traveling scholars from 42 leading universities across 18 countries, the Summer School offered far more than classroom learning. Participants exchanged ideas, built international networks, and brought diverse perspectives to discussions on pressing public policy challenges.

Anna Mirzyńska (PhD Student) | Kraków University of Economics (Poland)

"I have never been in a place where so many people are genuinely intelligent and so wholeheartedly committed to their own development. The atmosphere here, at this IPPA Summer School, is incredibly energising. It has definitely motivated me to aim higher in my own studies and future work."

Rodrigo Cordara (PhD Student) | FLACSO México (Mexico)

"I met students from all over the world, coming from different fields of study and bringing unique experiences to the table. The cross-disciplinary exchanges here were incredibly stimulating – every discussion offered something new. It has definitely given me a much wider lens on both research and real-world issues."

Jonas von Pfister (PhD Student) | Humboldt Universität Berlin (Germany)

"The academic atmosphere at this IPPA Summer School was truly outstanding. Every session sparked thoughtful discussion and rigorous intellectual exchange among participants. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for how stimulating and collaborative scholarly work can be."

Amanda Tan (PhD Student) | Monash University (Indonesia)

"I found this IPPA Summer School particularly valuable for deepening my understanding of public policy from both theoretical and applied angles. The discussions challenged some of my existing assumptions and exposed me to new methodological approaches that I hadn't fully explored before. I came away with fresh perspectives that will directly inform and improve my research."

Media Coverage

Explore media highlights and coverage featuring the 2026 IPPA International Summer School at HSUHK.

搜狐 | 香港首屆IPPA 國際公共政策夏令營於恒生大學隆重開幕 | 25/06/26

中国网 | 香港首届IPPA 国际公共政策夏令营于恒生大学隆重开幕 | 24/06/26

一点资讯 | 香港首屆IPPA 國際公共政策夏令營於恒生大學隆重開幕 | 24/06/26

腾讯内容 | 香港首屆IPPA 國際公共政策夏令營於恒生大學隆重開幕 | 24/06/26

今日头条 | 香港首屆IPPA 國際公共政策夏令營於恒生大學隆重開幕 | 23/06/26