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The Legacy of Civilitas
2008: The Genesis
Civilitas 政學 was founded in 2008 by GPAD seniors as an undergraduate journal in political science. From 2008 to 2017, it served as a platform for lively debate, publishing informative, creative, and outstanding work by undergraduate and postgraduate students across the discipline.
2025: The Renaissance
The 2025–26 Editorial Board is relaunching the journal after an eight‑year pause, reaffirming that mission while updating it for a new era. The revival focuses on rigorous, peer‑reviewed work rooted in political and social sciences, while also expanding through new columns, digital formats, and stronger connections among students, alumni, and faculty.
The Editorial Board
Justin Xin
Editor-in-Chief
Greetings, my name is Justin Xin, a third-year undergraduate majoring in GPAD at CUHK. I currently serve as the Editor-in-Chief (Chief Editor) of Civilitas for the 2025–2026 Editorial Board.
I am deeply interested in the relationship between the state and society, therefore exploring how public policy and governance can be shaped to improve people’s well-being. My academic interests lie in comparative politics, public policy, and research methodology, and I have actively engaged in student leadership, charity initiatives, and academic research beyond the classroom.
This year, I am honoured to lead the revitalisation of Civilitas, a platform built on student voices, critical thinking, and a shared spirit of learning. I hope to work closely with my fellow editors to not only continue the legacy left by our seniors but also create more space for dialogue and expression among GPAD students, faculty members, CUHK, and the wider public.
Let us learn, reflect, and contribute to the betterment of our society through dialogues—together.
Angel Ip
MANAGING EDITOR
Hi, I am Angel, a penultimate-year undergraduate majoring in Government and Public Administration (GPAD) at CUHK.
I am interested in how public institutions translate policy ideas into real outcomes, especially the backstage work of coordination, implementation and accountability. My academic focus centres on public policy and governance, with particular curiosity about how policy design, administrative capacity and resource allocation shape what governments can actually deliver.
As the Managing Editor, I support Civilitas by overseeing progress coordination, internal workflow and financial planning for efficient, transparent and sustainable operation throughout the year. I hope to help build a solid foundation for the journal’s revival so that strong ideas and thoughtful writing can be carried forward in the future.
I look forward to working with our editorial team to strengthen Civilitas as a platform for learning, dialogue and meaningful public reflection within GPAD, across SGPS, and beyond.
Sharma Suresh Sahil
SECTION EDITOR
Hey, I am Sahil! At this juncture, I am a second-year GPAD student at CUHK. This year, I have the honor to serve as the Section Editor of Civilitas.
Ever since a young age, politics has always dazzled me, largely due to the degree to which it is deeply interconnected with our everyday lives.
In the recent past, I have explored other disciplines. Expanding my reach into the broader social sciences and humanities. Without a doubt, the social world never stops to astonish me. After all, the process of learning and thinking never meets the end of the tunnel. The more we know the more questions we have.
Which is why, with all the thoughts that the brain carries, its articulation is paramount. Writing comes in handy at that play. By having our thoughts in writing, it enables us to weave our web of ideas into a coherent argument. Especially in these times when novelty is eroding, having a flawed but human piece of prose is a satisfaction of another kind.
At the end the day, I hope Civilitas will continue to promote the art of writing, which is not only restricted to academese but also, of course, filled with rigor and representative of the broad swath of ideas that represent the nuances in thinking — not otherwise.
Raphala Chan
Lead Communications Editor
I am the Editor of Civilitas, driven by a lifelong curiosity about global affairs and a deep fascination with political economy. I’m always eager to learn from the diverse perspectives that come through your submissions.
My work sits at the intersection of aesthetics and advocacy. I care about clarity, creativity, and purpose, and I bring that blend of editorial precision and vision to every piece I shape. Through Civilitas, I hope to amplify meaningful ideas and help foster thoughtful dialogue within the GPAD community.
Sursharan Kaur
Design and layout
As the Design and Layout Lead at Civilitas, I, Sursharan Kaur, combine my creative ideas with a lifelong passion for the rich and varied world of politics. In addition to my role at Civilitas, I am also the Director of Marketing for my startup company, Umeed, where I utilize the same passion to make a difference in the world. With a profound love for justice and equality, I recognize Civilitas as a platform that can make a difference in the world by addressing the injustices of the global community.
I firmly believe that writing and learning are processes that never stop, as they are the tools that help us develop and progress. Civilitas is an excellent platform that enables the exchange of ideas and the exploration of complex perspectives. By creating a platform for academic discussions, we can learn to understand each other better and develop together as a community. My hope is that through these pages, we can spark the conversations that will help us build a more equal world.
The Advisory Board
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. CHEN Dakeng
Professor CHOW Po Chung
Professor DOWNES F. James
Dr. KWAN Chung Yin, Tommy
Dr. LEE Ka Kiu, Nelson
Dr. LI Ho Fai, Anthony
Professor SMITH William James Clark
Professor WONG Si Lon, Seanon
Professor WONG Wai Ho, Wilson
Professor ZHAN Jing, Vivian
Dr. ZHANG Zheng
The University of Hong Kong
Dr. LOWE Chun Yip, Isaac
Hong Kong Baptist University
Professor LEE Siu Yau