【50th Talk】Prof. Dr. Jin Chan “From Social Phenomena to Rigorous Research: Designing Social Inquiry”
Upcoming Event
| Introduction | The 50th session of the “Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series,” organized by the Institute of International Education and the Tan Lark Sye Institute at New Era University College is now open for registration. In this lecture, Prof. Jin Chan from University of Greenwich will explore the challenges of transforming abstract social phenomena into rigorous, systematic research. Aimed at master’s and PhD students, it focuses on bridging the gap between curiosity-driven general observation and methodologically sound inquiry. The session will begin by unpacking “social phenomenon” and how such phenomena can be meaningfully framed as researchable problems. Emphasis is placed on the importance of asking the right questions, situating them within existing theoretical conversations, and identifying the underlying assumptions that shape inquiry. The lecture will also introduce the core principles of research design and guide participants through the key decision steps in a study. These include aligning research questions with methodological approaches, selecting appropriate units of analysis, and ensuring coherence in the design, execution, and reporting. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the key elements and steps of designing a methodologically rigorous and theoretically meaningful research study. |
| Speaker | Prof. Dr. Jin Chan (University of Greenwich) Professor Dr. Jin Chan has over 30 years of experience across academia and industry, with expertise in sustainable development, climate change, energy policy, and green transition. He currently leads the research assessment strategy at the Greenwich Business School for the UK REF 2029, overseeing research development, integrity, impact, and public engagement across the school. Prof. Chan was trained at the University of Cambridge in sustainable development, energy policy, and industrial structure, supported by the prestigious Shell-Chevening Scholarship and the ESRC-Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Dorothy Hodgkin Award. His interdisciplinary research covers policy analysis, ESG and climate risks, ethical finance, entrepreneurship ecosystems, behavioural change, and firm strategies for sustainability, with applications across renewable energy, tourism, e-commerce, social enterprises, and cultural industries. Prof. Chan has published widely in leading peer-reviewed academic journals and industry outlets, and serves as Associate Editor of Frontiers in Environmental Economics as well as on the editorial boards of several international journals. He has extensive experience in securing and leading multi-million-pound international research projects funded by the European Commission, UKRI, the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, and major Asian funding bodies. He is also a member of the UK ESRC Peer-Review College, contributing to the evaluation of national research grant proposals. |
| Moderator | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teoh Hee Chong (Institute of International Education, NEUC) Dr. Teoh Hee Chong currently serves as Associate Professor at the Institute of International Education, New Era University College, Malaysia, and Coordinator for Master’s and PhD Education Programmes. Dr. Teoh also leads educational research at Hin Hua High School in Klang, Malaysia, as Head of the Educational Research and Development Office, where he is actively involved in training teachers in research and instructional practices. He is presently the Chief Editor of the Journal of MICSS Educational Research under the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong). He also serves as Deputy Chairman of the 27th Unified Curriculum Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Education Committee. His involvement in editing publications include: The Reality and Ideals of Chinese Independent School Education: Proceedings of the 2015 Malaysian Chinese Independent School Education Conference, Exploration and Practice of Hin Hua Education, Journey through the Exploration and Practice of Education in Hin Hua. |
| Information | Date: 27 May 2026 (Wednesday) Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Venue: ZOOM (ID & password will be sent to your mobile number and email) Registration Form: https://bit.ly/3seNHqc Registration is free. Please complete your registration by Tuesday, 26 May 2026. |
Trailer (Video)
Lecture Postscript
The 50th session of the Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series, organized by the Institute of International Education and the Tan Lark Sye Institute of New Era University College (NEUC), was held on 27 May. The session featured Professor Dr. Jin Chan from University of Greenwich, as the guest speaker, delivering a lecture titled “From Social Phenomena to Rigorous Research: Designing Social Inquiry”. The lecture was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teoh Hee Chong, from Institute of International Education, and attracted more than 110 participants. In the lecture, Prof. Chan began with the concept of “social phenomena,” analyzing how such observations can be effectively constructed into researchable questions, and further emphasized the importance of formulating high‑quality research questions.
Prof. Chan has over 30 years of experience across industry and academia, having worked in environmental consulting and renewable energy sectors in Europe and Asia. He graduated from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Shell Chevening Scholar and a Cambridge Commonwealth Dorothy Hodgkin Doctoral Scholar. He is currently a professor at the University of Greenwich, responsible for research output evaluation, and serves as a research member of the Cambridge Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG).
His research spans sustainable development and the circular economy. He has published nearly 100 works, including more than 20 articles in SSCI/SCI journals, and serves as editor and editorial board member for several international journals. Prof. Chan has led and participated in numerous international research projects, including EU-funded programs, the UKRI Newton Fund, projects under the British Academy, as well as China’s national social science and natural science foundations. He is also a reviewer for the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
During the lecture, Prof. Chan discussed situating research questions within appropriate theoretical frameworks and identifying underlying assumptions that may influence research outcomes. He emphasized that researchers must recognize the intrinsic logical relationship between theory, research questions, and methodology to ensure rigor, academic contribution, and overall research quality.
Following the lecture, participants and moderator actively engaged with the speaker during the Q&A session, raising questions related to research design, theoretical construction, and interdisciplinary approaches. The exchange further strengthened the institution’s mission to advance academic research and foster cross‑disciplinary collaboration.
