Latest News and Achievements of APSS (Mar 2024 issue)
Professional Appointments
Head of APSS Promoted to Chair Professor and Reappointed to Release under Supervision Board for another 3-Year Term
APSS is pleased to announce the promotion of our Head, Prof. Eric CHUI, to the Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology in PolyU, with effect from 1 February 2024.
Prof. CHUI has also been reappointed to Release under Supervision Board for another three-year term, starting 1 July 2024.
Dr Jenny CHAN, Associate Professor of APSS, served as the Area Editor of a themed issue for The Economic and Labour Relations Review which is published by the Cambridge University Press.
Dr Kevin CHAN, Teaching Fellow of APSS, has been elected as one of the Faculty Board members.
Congratulations to Prof. Elsie YAN and Dr Jacky NG for Receiving International Recognition
An international body, APS awards fellowships that recognise members who have made sustained outstanding contributions to the science of psychology in the areas of research, teaching, service, and/or application.
Prof. Elsie YAN, Professor of APSS, has been elected as a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.
Find the fellowship list: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/fellows.
Dr Jacky NG, Assistant Professor of APSS, has been selected as one of the Rising Stars of the APS.
The Rising Stars are selected for their research excellence based on six criteria, including publications, recognitions, discoveries, methodological innovations, or theoretical or empirical contributions, work with potentially broad impact, commitment to diversity in science, and demonstrated independence from mentors.
Full list of the APS 2024 Rising Stars: New APS Rising Stars – Association for Psychological Science – APS
Prof. Sylvia CHEN elected as Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities and Interim Director of Mental Health Research Centre
APSS would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Sylvia CHEN, Associate Dean of FHSS, Interim Director of the MHRC, and Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology of APSS, on her election as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities (HKAH).
Read more: Prof. Sylvia CHEN elected as Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities
Please find Prof. CHEN’s profile on HKAH website: Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN 陳曉華 (Fellow) – HKAH (humanities.hk)
Project /Grant Award
Prof. Daniel SHEK and Dr Janet LEUNG received a grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Chief PIs:
Prof. Daniel T.L. SHEK [Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) & Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences (APSS)]
Dr Janet Tsin Yee LEUNG (Associate Professor of APSS)
Co-PIs:
Prof. David SHUM Ho Keung [Dean(HSS), ADoRISA & Chair Professor of Neuropsychology (RS)]
Prof. Kam Yuet WONG [Assoc. Dean(HSS) & Chair Professor of Advanced Nursing (SN)]
Project title: Jockey Club Promoting Family Resilience Project 2.0
Funding Scheme: Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (Donation)
Project duration: 1 March 2024 – 28 February 2027
Awarded Funding: HK$22,790,000
Project description:
The Jockey Club Promoting Family Resilience Project 2.0 is designed to promote family resilience as a crucial intervention strategy in Hong Kong and to enhance the capacities of Hong Kong families to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic era. It maintains its collaboration with four non-governmental organisations: Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, The Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, The Salvation Army, and The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
Publications
Dr Anson AU, Assistant Professor of APSS, has just published a new monograph with Routledge titled Chinese Social Networks in an Age of Digitalisation.
Learn more: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/
Groundbreaking Research Revolutionises Child Abuse Prevention and Protection
Prof. Edward Ko-ling CHAN, RGC Senior Research Fellow & Chair Professor of Child and Family Welfare, was featured by PolyImpact. The article highlights his research team’s focus on identifying risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect in order to develop early interventions and preventive measures.
Read the full article on PolyImpact Magazine (English only):
https://polyu.hk/boWFY
Media Report
APSS Helps SEN Students with Mindfulness
APSS has implemented a school-based mindfulness curriculum in eight primary schools involving mindfulness groups for students with special educational needs in 2022-23, benefiting hundreds of students. A research study conducted as part of the project also found significant improvement in symptoms of hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and other disorders among the students.
This project was led by Dr Herman LO, Associate Professor of APSS.
Online coverage:
Singtao Headline: https://polyu.me/3tf4TNt
Mingpao: https://jupas.mingpao.com/院校資訊/理大推動靜觀課程融入小學教育成效反映有助學生認知發展及精神健康
Hong Kong Economic Times: https://polyu.me/48eWice
Prof. Daniel SHEK Exchanges Views with Principals from Fujian, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
Prof. Daniel T. L. SHEK, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) and Chair Professor of APSS, shared his insights on preserving China’s excellent traditional culture at the Fujian, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Overseas Chinese Principals Forum held on 20 December 2023 in Fuzhou. Prof. SHEK suggested starting with traditional Chinese culture and contemporary social sciences, summarising and refining the positive characteristics needed for the development of contemporary Chinese youth, and cultivating the cultural identity of young people in teaching practice.
Online coverage:
China News Service - https://polyu.me/477iLHp
ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/3RT1iy9
FZ News - https://polyu.me/3v8QNO8
East Money - https://polyu.me/4av9gEF
(Captured from People’s Daily website)
Prof. SHEK, joined scholars from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and Sichuan University to organise a training session for a youth development programme for secondary school teachers in Chengdu. The training aims to cultivate the various abilities of young people and foster bonds between them.
Online coverage:
People’s Daily - https://polyu.me/41Jkb9M
(Captured from Toutiao website)
Prof. SHEK shared his insights into adolescents’ mental health in the era of AI with teachers and parents in a seminar in Chengdu, which took place on 4 March 2024.
Online coverage:
Toutiao: https://polyu.me/49HIQio
Dr Rodney CHU brings Home Silver Award at “QS Reimagine Education Award”
Dr Rodney CHU, Senior Lecturer of APSS, and his team have won the Silver prize in the Asia Region at the QS Reimagine Education Award 2023. The award recognises their project entitled “Immersive Learning on the Run: Student-Staff Partnership for Technology-Facilitated Ubiquitous Learning” for its innovative teaching and learning pedagogies.
Online coverage:
Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/48sUkpf
Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/48L32PA
(Photo captured from ViuTV)
Prof. Xue BAI, Professor of APSS and Director of the Research Centre for Gerontology and Faminly Studies, commented on the city’s silver economy in an interview with Now TV’s programme “Now Report”.
NowTV: https://polyu.me/42RMcN6 (1:18 - 1:43)
ViuTV: https://polyu.me/3SR0JUO (6:59 - 8:13, 20:23 – 20:54)
Talks, Events and Press Conference
(Participants from PolyU, The University of Chicago, and Peking University took part in Good Neighbours International's guided tour of the Livelihood Project at Hòa Bình Dam in Hanoi, Vietnam)
Winter Institute 2023 – Exploring Poverty and Social Welfare Policies in Hong Kong and Vietnam
APSS at PolyU, in collaboration with the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at The University of Chicago and the Department of Sociology at Peking University (PKU), successfully conducted the Winter Institute 2023, which took place in Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City from 4 to 16 December 2023.
Read more: Winter Institute 2023 – Exploring Poverty and Social Welfare Policies in Hong Kong and Vietnam
Dr Jenny CHAN, Associate Professor of APSS, was invited to speak at an international event co-organised by the ARC (Australian Research Council) Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore on 4 December 2023. Scholars in geography, media, and labour studies, together with Intel Corporation representatives, discussed the growth in electronics and chip manufacturing in East and South East Asia.
APSS Held Successful School Talk for S4-S6 Students with Guest Speaker from St. James Settlement
The first APSS school talk, targeting S4 to S6 students, was successfully held online on 5 December 2023. The talk was delivered by two Co-Programme Leaders, Dr Kong YAM and Dr Raymond TAM, both of whom are Senior Lecturers in APSS.
The department had the privilege of inviting Ms. Helena YAU, a Social Worker from St. James Settlement, to share her valuable insights and tips on stress release and identification with the audience. Her expertise added depth and relevance to the topic of discussion.
Video of the school talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZoOqvetVbc
HKMFTA Annual Conference 2023: Bridging Generations for Individual and Family Wellbeing held at PolyU
The Hong Kong Marriage and Family Therapy Association (HKMFTA) held its annual conference at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 16 and 17 December, 2023. With the theme "Bridging Generations: Multigenerational Approaches for Wellbeing," the conference explored the impact of multigenerational dynamics on therapy outcomes and family relationships.
The conference provided mental health professionals with a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in multigenerational therapy approaches. By understanding the interplay among past experiences, present struggles, and future challenges, therapists can better support individuals and families on their journeys towards wellbeing.
Read the full news: HKMFTA Annual Conference 2023: Bridging Generations for Individual and Family Wellbeing held at PolyU
APSS Held a Successful Inaugural International Scholar Talk Series 2023/24 with Prof. Jim Campbell from University College Dublin
On 8 January 2024, APSS held the first International Scholar Talk 2023/24. Our department was honoured to have Prof. Jim CAMPBELL, Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin, as our distinguished guest speaker. Dr Janet LEUNG, Associate Professor in APSS, and Dr Paul Vinod KHIATANI, Research Assistant Professor in APSS, served as the moderator and respondent, respectively, for the inaugural event.
Prof. Rachel Murphy Shared Invaluable Insights on Research Assessment Exercise at APSS and RIO Event
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and APSS were delighted to have Prof. Rachel MURPHY share her invaluable insights and experiences on Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) on 12 January 2024.
Prof. MURPHY serves as Professor of Chinese Development and Society at the University of Oxford. She is the author of The Children of China’s Great Migration (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and papers in Geoforum and Comparative Education Review. She is a sociologist and the former Research Director of the Oxford School for Global and Area Studies.
APSS and PPAC Co-organised a Seminar on the "Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill” with S.K.H. St. Christopher's Home Limited
On 29 January 2024, S.K.H. St. Christopher's Home Limited, in collaboration with APSS and Professional Practice and Assessment Centre, organised a seminar focused on the "Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill" (the bill). The seminar aimed to discuss the legislative progress of the bill and facilitate dialogue between different perspectives regarding concerns from various sectors.
Read the full news: APSS and PPAC Co-organised a Seminar on the "Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill” with S.K.H. St. Christopher's Home Limited
(Photo Captured by Hong Kong Commercial Daily)
Sweden Consul General Unveils Sustainability Success Story at PReCIT Consul General Talk
In the “Consul General Talk Series” organised by the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) on 29 February 2024, Ms Louise BERGHOLM, Consul General of Sweden to Hong Kong and Macau, showcased Sweden's experiences as a renowned trailblaser in sustainable development, particularly in shaping sustainable cities. Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, Co-Director of PReCIT, joined the talk series and shared his views with the participants.
PolyU Press release:
English - https://polyu.me/437rOaP; Chinese - https://polyu.me/3IpC1pM
Online coverage:
Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3InF6qb
Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4agHs6n
Think Hong Kong - https://polyu.me/49XAT8t
Chinese New Year Basin Feast Brings APSS Community Together
On 9 March 2024, the APSS Graduates Association successfully organised a memorable "Chinese New Year Basin Feast" at the PolyU Alumni Atrium. This event garnered an impressive turnout of more than a hundred APSS alumni, staff, and students.
Read the full news: Chinese New Year Basin Feast Brings APSS Community Together
Staff Corner
Long Service Awards 2023
APSS extends its sincere gratitude to the recipients of the Long Service Awards 2023. Thanks to them all for their hard work, commitment, passion, and unwavering dedication to APSS and PolyU.
A total of eleven colleagues were honoured with the Long Service Award 2023, with lengths of service ranging from five to 35 years.
Learn more: Long Service Awards 2023
CV Writing and Interview Skills Workshop for APSS Final-year Students
To equip APSS final-year students with a strong foundation for their career pursuits, Ms. Eudora CHAN from PolyU Student Affairs Office designed an interactive workshop tailored to meet our students’ needs.
The workshop offers a comprehensive career guidance on various aspects, including an introduction to CV content, a personal CV writing trial, a social sciences job case study, and interview skills practice.
Student Corner
APSS Students Selected for FHSS Summer Research Studentship 2023/24
We are proud to share that two APSS BA (Hons) Social Work students have been selected to join the FHSS Summer Research Studentship 2023/24 scheme.
These two students will have the opportunity to join experienced researchers and participate in a team research project over the summer. APSS mentors will closely supervise their progress, ensuring the appropriateness of the programme and providing valuable training experience.
Here is the mentor and student list:
Project: Multidimensional Parental Psychological Control and Developmental Outcomes among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong
Student: Mr Ho Yin LAM, BA (Hons) in Social Work
Mentor: Dr Julie ZHU, Assistant Professor of APSS
Project: Do Fluctuations in Affects Associate with Adolescents’ Time Spent on Gaming and Risk of Gaming Disorder in the Context of School Holiday? An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
Student: Mr Yat Nam LAU, BA (Hons) in Social Work
Mentor: Dr Camilla LO, Assistant Professor of APSS
Congratulation to the students and thanks for the support from the mentors!
APSS Semester-End cum Christmas Gathering Delights Students
APSS hosted a delightful Semester-End cum Christmas Gathering on 14 December 2023 for APSS undergraduate and outbound exchange students. The event showcased a mesmerising magic performance and workshop by a APSS alumnus, Mr Ivan CHONG. Additionally, students enjoyed engaging in interactive activities over light refreshments. The festive gathering aimed to foster a strong sense of community and create cherished memories for all participants.
Tradition Sharing: Fai Chun Writing for the Chinese New Year 2024
On 5 February 2024, colleagues welcomed inbound exchange students who joined APSS in the second semester. Local and non-local students engaged in cultural exchange, sharing traditions and practices for celebrating the Chinese New Year and writing "Fai Chun" together.
Dr Yuen Kiu CHEUNG, PhD of APSS, received the Faculty Distinguished Thesis Award of FHSS in recognition of the high quality of her PhD thesis: "Work-related Stress among Hong Kong Police Officers in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-method Study". Congratulations!
On 7 Feb 2024, Mr Nick ZENG, a Doctor of Social Work student at APSS, was interviewed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) about his latest award.
Review Nick’s award, please click here: APSS DSW Student Receives Prestigious Hong Kong ICT Awards for Innovative Medication Management Solution
Ms Deng CHEN, PhD of APSS, participated in the RSAP outgoing studies at the University of Chicago.
Please find her sharing on Graduate School’s publication (P.31):
