申欽鳴Kyoung Mun Shin

國立清華大學科技管理研究所副教授

從治理的角度出發 理解環境問題成因及解方

My research has been dedicated to understanding the causes of and solutions to environmental problems, particularly from a governance perspective. Environmental and climate change issues have become one of the most critical challenges facing our planet and humanity in the 21st Century. As such, my research has direct implications for the quality of human life in the future.


When it comes to academic research, I am a bit of a “born-again ethnographer.＂ By that, I mean although I respect macro-level patterns and universal theories that are good at providing “easyexplanations, ＂I also believe that we cannot overlook micro-level details in human life. The latter is more prone to discovering anomalies, which, I believe, are more fruitful to building and advancing theories. Guided by such a spirit, most of my research has endeavored to challenge or overturn taken-forgranted ideas or conventional wisdoms. For instance, in one recent research, my findings challenged the fashionable argument that centralized, performance-indicator-based governance is better able to elicit good environmental outcomes. Based on extensive ethnography, I have shown the dangers and pitfalls of such a kind, even in authoritarian China.


In another research, I have shown the limitations of relying too much on market mechanisms. In my latest research, I have refuted the conventional wisdom that an increasing number and quality of data will automatically improve environmental outcomes; much depends on the politics of control of and access to the production, flow, and dissemination of them.


With such findings, my research has contributed to advancing the current state of knowledge in environmental studies. Moreover, I am confident that by producing unexpected findings and raising new avenues for research, my research will ultimately become a part of our collective effort in searching for alternative and better mechanisms to change the course of our planet.

得獎感言

It is with great pleasure that I write these words. Needless to say, this award is one of the highest honors in Taiwan, and I feel absolutely stunned, humbled, and honored to learn that I will be one of the recipients this year. In fact, for me personally, this award is the biggest honor tha t I hav e e ver received outside of my o wn country ( USA ).


Equally significant, however, is the accompanying knowledge that my work is valued and appreciated by my colleagues here in Taiwan. As a foreigner trying to build a career here, this means a great deal. With this revelation, I feel more motivated than ever to focus on my work as a teacher and researcher. So, I say,“thank you!”to my colleagues and the Ministry of Scienc e and Technology !

個人勵志銘

“You can t be neutr al on a mo ving train” -- Ho ward Zinn