We invite interested students to participate in this research project in collaboration with the international sustainable business consultancy firm BSR (https://www.bsr.org/). The project will be mentored by Anna Iles, Associate Director of the BSR’s Futures Team.

The project involves identifying and researching emerging issues and trends affecting the future of sustainable business in Asia. Under the guidance of consultants from the BSR Futures team, students will learn the skills to conduct horizon scanning, identify signals of change, and extrapolate on the potential implications. Students will be required to conduct a short survey, deliver a concise visual deck, and synthesize a futuristic 2030 case study/scenario with a detailed and imaginative narrative about the future state of the relevant industry, market, technology, and society. The use Generative AI is highly encouraged.

Students must attend the following mandatory sessions:

Workshop 1: Introduction to Signals of Change
9 Oct 2023, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (F2F @ HKU)*

Observation of Online Recording of Internal BSR Meeting on Sensemaking
18 Oct 2023, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Workshop 2: Identifying Potential Impacts of Signals
24 Oct 2023, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Online Zoom).

* Students who have participated in the past BSR project may be exempted from Workshop 1.

The project is open to all HKU students. No prior training is necessary. Students will develop research and consultancy skills, and exposure to real-world ESG issues.

The project requires at least 25 hours of total work. Undergraduate students are eligible to earn a certificate and apply for one (1) non-graduating academic credit through HKU Horizons (The credit is transcriptable but does not count towards your GPA). The total hours include all time spent in workshops, meetings, self-study, assignment preparation, and final presentation.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the project coordinator Dr Jack Tsao (jtsao@hku.hk).