Rate My Professor Mark Wang

Professor Mark Wang is a human geographer serving as Professor in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, and Director of the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne since 2020 and 2013, respectively. He has been affiliated with the University since 1996, starting as a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, progressing to Senior Lecturer from 2001 to 2007, Associate Professor from 2008 to 2012, and full Professor thereafter. Earlier in his career, he held positions as Research Assistant at the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia from 1988 to 1995, and Assistant Professor and Research Associate at the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agro-Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1985 to 1988. Wang earned his PhD in Geography from the University of British Columbia in 1995 with a thesis on socioeconomic and spatial transformation in China's Shenyang-Dalian region, Master of Science in Geography from the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agro-Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1985, and Bachelor of Science in Geography from Shanxi Normal University in 1982. He has undertaken various administrative roles, including Graduate Studies Coordinator (2017-2019), Chairperson of the Teaching and Learning Committee (2014-2016), and member of the University Academic Board since 2013.

Wang's research specializations encompass socioeconomic and spatial transformation in China, urban labour markets, poverty alleviation resettlement, water governance, low carbon cities, migrant workers, environmental resettlement, and urban development. His scholarship has garnered over 4,100 citations. Key publications include 'Informal electronic waste recycling: A sector review with special focus on China' (Waste Management, 2011, 810 citations), 'Rural industries and water pollution in China' (Journal of Environmental Management, 2008, 418 citations), 'China's urban space: development under market socialism' (Routledge, 2007, 323 citations), 'Spatial restructuring through poverty alleviation resettlement in rural China' (Journal of Rural Studies, 2016, 198 citations), and 'Sustainability: transfer project cannot meet China's water needs' (Nature, 2015, 154 citations). He has secured competitive grants such as ARC Discovery projects on the technopolitics of China’s South-North Water Transfer Project (2017-2020) and low carbon cities (2010-2013). Awards include the Australia-International Medal from the Institute of Australian Geographers (2018), Wiley Publishers Prize (2016), and Third-Grade Shanxi Social Science Research Excellence Award (2016). Wang contributes to editorial boards of Geographic Research (since 2018), Journal of Asian Energy Studies (since 2016), and Chinese Geographical Science (since 2007), enhancing his influence in human geography and China studies.