City Futures Research Centre · MapAI · UNSW Sydney

Dr. Guanhua (Chris) Wang

Senior Research Associate embedding transparent spatial AI and accountable automation at UNSW. He works alongside MapAI lead Prof. Chris Pettit to translate mechanism-aware research into usable planning systems across government, industry, and community partners from the Kensington campus.

Previously a Research Fellow focused on NLP and knowledge modelling, his PhD merged machine learning with game-theoretic mechanism design, including applications in advertising auctions. This background fuels his current mission to pair civic data with trustworthy AI governance.

Explore ResearchContact Chris

Role

Senior Research Associate · City Futures Research Centre / MapAI

PhD

University of Adelaide · 2022

Location

UNSW Sydney · Kensington

Honours & achievements

Dr. Mingyu Guo · Prof. Chris Pettit · Prof. Bill Randolph

Research at a glance

Projects that bridge policy and practice

MapAI · HAL · Trustworthy AI

Digital twins · Civic AI

MapAI Urban Futures

Co-designing location intelligence layers and explainable dashboards so precinct-scale decision-makers can trust generative AI insights.

AI + Game Theory

Mechanism-aware automation

Doctoral work married machine learning and mechanism design to optimise incentive alignment, including revenue allocation in advertising auctions.

Ethical AI

Trustworthy policy labs

Designing explainable governance tools and scenario-planning playbooks that keep communities, regulators, and data stewards aligned.

Evidence for policy

Housing Analytics Lab

Powered by the NSW Chief Scientist’s grant, HAL pairs advanced housing data with policy-ready visualisations and storytelling.

Focus themes

Approach and values

Meet the researcher
  • Transparent spatial AI for planning resilience
  • Human-in-the-loop mechanism design and policy automation
  • Data storytelling with government and community partners
  • Operational dashboards that embed fairness and accountability

Latest insight

Trustworthy AI in action

MapAI & Urban Copilot

Building trustworthy AI solutions for better city planning

A City Futures Research Centre blog spotlights how the MapAI and Urban Copilot programs unify trustworthy AI, from location intelligence to regulatory interpretation.

Read the story

Team spotlight

Prof. Chris PettitProf. Hoon HanProf. Bill RandolphDr. Balamurugan SoundararajDr. Ryan van den NouwelantDr. Charlie GillonDr. Henry PetersenDr. Dianer WuMr. Travolta Tran

The blog highlights how these collaborators, alongside Dr. Wang, build a unified strategy for embedding trustworthy AI across location intelligence, regulatory interpretation, and governance.

Honours

Recognition through the years

  • Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence (University of Adelaide, 2022)
  • Mace Bearer, University of Adelaide graduation ceremony (September 2022)
  • ACM-ICPC Asia Regional Contest (Bronze, 2013)
Schedule a conversation

Available for speaking, policy advising, and supervising emerging researchers across AI, planning, and public policy.