The International Journal of Water Resources Development, a leading journal in the field of water governance, recently announced the appointment of Raymond Yu WANG, Associate Professor of the Center for Social Sciences at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal.

This marks the first time in the journal’s 42-year history that a Chinese scholar has held this position, underscoring the increasing global influence of SUSTech researchers in the study of water governance and development.

The International Journal of Water Resources Development is a leading SCI journal in the field of water governance and development, published by the globally renowned academic publisher Taylor & Francis. Established in 1983, the journal explores the interconnections between water and technology, economics, society, institutions, history, and culture. It addresses key topics such as sustainable development, climate change adaptation, globalization, modernization, and urbanization, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and innovative practices.

The founding editor, Asit K. Biswas—an internationally acclaimed expert in water governance and public policy—was awarded the Stockholm Water Prize in 2006, often regarded as the Nobel Prize of the water sector. The journal’s previous Editor-in-Chief, Cecilia Tortajada, served as President of the International Water Resources Association and received its highest recognition, the Crystal Drop Award.

Associate Professor Raymond Yu WANG is also a Ph.D. supervisor at the Center for Social Sciences at SUSTech. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Beijing Normal University, a Master of Natural Resource Management from Renmin University of China, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Hong Kong.

His research focuses on water and development issues in China’s urban and rural transformations, drawing on perspectives from human geography and political ecology. His work spans transboundary water politics, water policy processes, water infrastructure, and irrigation institutions, providing insights into the complex socio-environmental dynamics underpinning environmental governance, modernization, and sustainable transitions.

In recent years, he has led three projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, two by the Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Sciences Grant, and multiple grants from Guangdong Province and Shenzhen. He has published over 40 academic papers in leading domestic and international journals. Since 2020, he has also served as the sole Chinese editorial board member of Water Alternatives, an SCI/SSCI journal in the field of water governance, earning international recognition for his innovative research and forward-looking perspective.

Associate Professor WANG’s appointment as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Water Resources Development is a testament to his academic achievements and reflects the growing influence of Chinese scholars in environmental policy and governance research.

In his new role, he will oversee the selection of manuscripts and special issues, guide the journal’s strategic direction, and advance theoretical frameworks for water governance in the Global South. He is also committed to strengthening cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration between Chinese and international scholars.