Social Engagement | Shirley Chen

Going Above & Beyond

Shirley allows her design practice to escape the confines of the office and effect more change in society. Her influence extends outside through public lectures and university talks, which she has consistently carved out time for since she was a young designer. All these efforts have the same essence: to coach, inspire, and share her expertise.

ACTIVITIES

Inspiring the Next Generation

Visiting universities to share her wealth of ideas and experience with aspiring designers is something she has consistently done. During these talks, students can ask her questions on her values in design and more technical aspects of project delivery. These talks motivate others to pursue careers that help shape and transform the built environment.

Career Talk in Shenzhen Polytechnic University

Workshop and project review with Chinese University of Hong Kong on “New” New Town Development

Tourism & Hospitality Design 101 Lecture at Shenzhen University

Tourism & Hospitality Design 101 Lecture at South China University of Technology

Design career talk at Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering

Design Industrial Forum and Lecture at South China University of Technology

Landscape design lecture at Central South University

Landscape design lecture at Guangzhou University

Speech and Design Career Talk in Shenzhen University

Engaging the Public

Another avenue Shirley reaches out is through speaking engagements. Attended by the public or guests with non-design backgrounds, these lectures are a means to educate others on why landscape environments matter and sharpen their senses to recognize quality design.

"Activating Public Spaces to Empower the Future of Cities" speaker at Heart & Metamorphosis 强心•蝶变 Forum at at the Dongguan Citizen Service Center

"Transforming Built Spaces into Community-centric Neighbourhoods” speaker and panellist at ReThink Hong Kong 2024

"The Third Wave of Green Building: Embodied Carbon." Seminar in Hong Kong

ULI x AECOM: Twin Cities Shenzhen & Hong Kong – Integration and Complementarity in the Northern Metropolis Forum (organising core committee)

Longfor Public Forum in Chengdu

Speech for OCT Public Event in Wuhan

Sharing Her Expertise

She has also been invited to be part of expert review panels for a major park and streetscape project in Shenzhen and represented AECOM in the National Exhibition of China and Germany. Recently, she was invited as an industry expert for the Green Future campaign of ULI and Innospace.

Moderator for Global Ecological Synergy Forum in Sanya, China

Organizer: CR Land

Dasha River Study Tour and Women Leadership Fireside Chat

Organizer: Urban Land Institute Hong Kong x GBA

Green Future Innovation Think Tank

Organizer: Urban Land Institute and Innospace GBA (video link)

Expert Review for Shenzhen Gankeng Parks Design.

Organizer: OCT, Shenzhen Center For Design, Shenzhen Public Art Center

Expert Review for Shenzhen Qianhai Streetscape Design Guideline

Organizer: Shenzhen Qianhai Investment Management

Building Collaboration

Lectures, panels, and roundtable discussions are organized for the different offices and business lines to learn from one another with the ultimate goal being to enhance collaboration among different offices and technical practices.

Lecture for AECOM Shenzhen Luohu Office on " Global Design Center about high-end hotel landscape design"

Lecture on high-end hotel landscape designphilosophy for AECOM Shenzhen Nanshan Office (Urbanism+Planning, Architecture, MEP Engineering, Structural Engineering)

Speech for AECOM Shenzhen Luohu Office about high-end hotel landscape design

Mentoring Women Leaders

The Women’s Foundation Mentoring Programme for Women Leaders matches 50 women leaders and executives from various sectors in Hong Kong with 50 mentees who exhibit leadership potential and the passion to spark change.

Despite coming from different industries, they are all similar when it comes to their drive and dedication to women’s growth in the workplace. Shirley was selected as a mentor for the 15th cycle of the programme which runs from 2023-2024.