Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
ENTRY

May 2025 Entry

STUDY MODE
Full-time, Part-time
Application Deadline
PhD & MPhil
30-Nov-2024

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Introduction

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) is committed to serving the community through the dynamic integration of education, research and service through its applied social science research. APSS’s position as a large social sciences department with diverse areas of interest and expertise under one roof, and its location within a health and social science faculty, offers an advantageous position in inter-disciplinary research networks and initiatives. APSS research is characterised by:

  • A strong emphasis on social needs and policy relevant research;

  • A commitment to enhancing social betterment and improving the well-being of individuals, children, families and disadvantaged groups in our community;

  • A preference for collaborative work with partnering institutions in Hong Kong, China and the region; and

  • A commitment to developing theories of indigenous knowledge and practices.

 

As the hub of social sciences research in Asia, the Department houses four centres and networks to advance research collaboration with academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and government departments locally, in mainland China and overseas.

 

Please visit our website for more information about APSS.

Research Area

Family, Child, Youth, and Ageing Studies

Active ageing; elder abuse; elder care

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. BAI Xue3400 3694xuebai@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie2766 5733elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHENG Shing Vincent2766 4670vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk
Dr HUANG Shixin Daisy2766 5686daisy.huang@polyu.edu.hk
Dr KWAN Crystal3400 3681cyeekwan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LIU Tianyin Bridget2766 5015tianyin-bridget.liu@polyu.edu.hk

Child development; child abuse

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. CHAN Ko Ling Edward2766 5709koling.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHEN Qiqi2766 4695qiqi23.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Kin Ming Camilla2766 5760camilla.lo@polyu.edu.hk

Family studies; family violence; family therapy; marriage; parent education

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. CHAN Ko Ling Edward2766 5709koling.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel2766 5652daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie2766 5733elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet2766 7944janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk
Dr YU Lu2766 4859lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine2766 5787jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LI Xiaomin3400 3672xiaomin.li@polyu.edu.hk

Positive youth development; youth leadership; career development; guidance and counselling

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel2766 5652daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. CHUI Wing Hong Eric3400 3018wing-hong.chui@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet2766 7944janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk
Dr YU Lu2766 4859lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine2766 5787jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel2766 5786angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LI Xiang​2766 7827xann.li@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Xiaoqin Julie2766 5741xiaoqin.zhu@polyu.edu.hk

Youth deviant behaviours; youth and drug; youth and gambling; addiction prevention

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel2766 5652daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. CHUI Wing Hong Eric3400 3018wing-hong.chui@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LI Chi Mei Jessica3400 3021cmj.li@polyu.edu.hk
Dr YU Lu2766 4859lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine2766 5787jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHENG Shing Vincent2766 4670vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Kin Ming Camilla2766 5760camilla.lo@polyu.edu.hk

Psychology, Mental Health and Health

Applied neuropsychology; social cognition; biological psychology

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. HU Xiangen3400 3475xiangen.hu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WU Yin2766 7746y.wu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William2766 5710william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk

Culture and mental health; mental health policy and service

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. CHEN Xiaohua Sylvia3400 3696sylvia.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. CHEN Juan3400 3689juan.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Hay Ming Herman2766 5769herman.lo@polyu.edu.hk
Dr SIU Yuen Man Judy2766 7747judy.ym.siu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WU Qiaobing3400 3676qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine2766 5787jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr HUI Pui Hung Bryant2766 7744bryant-p-h.hui@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LIU Tianyin Bridget2766 5015tianyin-bridget.liu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr NG Chi Kit Jacky2766 7740jackyck.ng@polyu.edu.hk
 

Educational psychology; developmental psychology; psychopathology

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. HU Xiangen3400 3475xiangen.hu@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel2766 5652daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LU Huijing2766 5755huijing.lu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr YU Lu2766 4859lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine2766 5787jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk

Environmental psychology; community psychology 

SupervisorTelEmail
Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William2766 5710william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk

Public health; medical anthropology and sociology

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie2766 5733elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr SIU Yuen Man Judy2766 7747judy.ym.siu@polyu.edu.hk

Social psychology; cultural psychology

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. CHEN Xiaohua Sylvia3400 3696sylvia.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William2766 5710william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr HUI Pui Hung Bryant2766 7744bryant-p-h.hui@polyu.edu.hk
Dr NG Chi Kit Jacky2766 7740jackyck.ng@polyu.edu.hk

Social Policy, Social Welfare and Community Development

Disaster management and risk reduction

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr KWAN Crystal3400 3681cyeekwan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel2766 5786angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk

Housing policy; health policy; labour and welfare policy; ageing and family policy; comparative social policy

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. BAI Xue 3400 3694xuebai@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WONG Yee Hang Mathew2766 5653mathew.wong@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WU Qiaobing3400 3676qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEE Cheng Pang2766 5705chengpang.lee@polyu.edu.hk
Dr SEO Bokyong Grace2766 5632grace.seo@polyu.edu.hk
Dr HUANG Shixin Daisy2766 5686daisy.huang@polyu.edu.hk

Quality of life; social indicators; social stratification; social exclusion/inclusion

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel2766 5652daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. CHEN Juan3400 3689juan.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WONG Yee Hang Mathew2766 5653mathew.wong@polyu.edu.hk
Dr YU Lu2766 4859lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Po Yee Iris2766 5740iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk

Third-sector development; social enterprise; social economy; social innovation

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WU Qiaobing3400 3676qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr NIE Lin3400 3492lin-apss.nie@polyu.edu.hk
Dr TO Yee Man Yvette2766 5790yvette.to@polyu.edu.hk

Social Theory, China and Global Social Development

Culture, social technology and digital studies

SupervisorTelEmail
Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian2766 5738christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr AU Cheuk Ho Anson3400 3692anson-ch.au@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHENG Shing Vincent2766 4670vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEE Cheng Pang2766 5705chengpeng.lee@polyu.edu.hk
Dr TING Tin Yuet2766 5722tyting@polyu.edu.hk

Gender/sexuality; race/ethnicity and labor studies 

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHAN Wai Ling Jenny2766 5743jenny.wl.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEE Cheng Pang2766 5705chengpang.lee@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LI Xiaomin3400 3672xiaomin.li@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Po Yee Iris2766 5740iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WANG Jia2766 5744jia-apss.wang@polyu.edu.hk

Globalisation, migration and social development 

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian2766 5738christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHAN Wai Ling Jenny2766 5743jenny.wl.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WU Qiaobing3400 3676qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHEN Jiaxin Ruby2766 5748jiaxin-ruby.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr WANG Jia2766 5744jia-apss.wang@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LIU Jingping Penny2766 4656jingping-penny.liu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr TO Yee Man Yvette2766 5790yvette.to@polyu.edu.hk

Social theory and social philosophy

SupervisorTelEmail
Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian2766 5738christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr AU Cheuk Ho Anson3400 3692anson-ch.au@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Po Yee Iris2766 5740iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk
Dr TING Tin Yuet2766 5722tyting@polyu.edu.hk

Urbanisation, rural-urban relations and local governance

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. CHEN Juan3400 3689juan.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr KAN Ching Yeung Karita2766 5725karita.kan@polyu.edu.hk
Dr CHEN Jiaxin Ruby2766 5748jiaxin-ruby.chen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LIU Jingping Penny2766 4656jingping-penny.liu@polyu.edu.hk
Dr ZHAN Yang3400 3494yang.zhan@polyu.edu.hk

Social Work and Human Service Management

Human services management; information-knowledge management

SupervisorTelEmail
Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian2766 5738christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk
Dr NIE Lin3400 3492lin-apss.nie@polyu.edu.hk

Indigenization of social work practice; social work education; social work values and ethics

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel2766 5786angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk

Practice research; program evaluation

SupervisorTelEmail
Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben2766 4553hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Hay Ming Herman2766 5769herman.lo@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel2766 5786angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LI Chen Richard2766 5750richard-chen.li@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LIU Tianyin Bridget2766 5015tianyin-bridget.liu@polyu.edu.hk

Social work supervision; social work practice

SupervisorTelEmail
Dr LI Chi Mei Jessica3400 3021cmj.li@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet2766 7944janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk
Dr LO Hay Ming Herman2766 5769herman.lo@polyu.edu.hk
Research Facilities

The following research centre and research facilities are our platforms for hosting and advancing research collaborations with academic institutions, NGOs, the private sector and government departments locally, overseas and in the Chinese mainland.

Other Information

For enquiries about the programmes, please contact us.

Supporting Documents
Academic Referee's Report

Compulsory - Two Academic Referee's Reports are required.

Curriculum Vitae

Compulsory

Personal Statement

Compulsory

Research Proposal

Compulsory - A standard form must be used for the submission of research proposal.  Please click here to download the form.

Transcript / Certificate

Compulsory

  • Certificate(s) of the award of Bachelor’s/Master’s degree.

  • Transcripts of studies.  All pages of your official transcripts must be uploaded, including the legend (or grading system).

Others

Optional 

  • Publications, awards, professional-related community service/qualification (licenses), etc.

  • Please provide an official letter/document issued by corresponding University to indicate that your Master's degree study contains a significant research component, such as a dissertation.

Requirements
Admission Requirements
Study Information
Academic Year
E-learning Module on “Understanding China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, P.R.C.”
English Enhancement Subjects
Enrolment and Registration
Medium of Instruction and Thesis Presentation
Programme Types
Residence Requirement
Procedure
Application Procedures
Application Period
Application Result and Offer Acceptance
Guidelines for Submitting Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents for Application
Policies
Applicants with Disabilities
Concurrent Enrolment
Credit Transfer and Subject Exemption
Non-local Applicants
Selection Criteria
Fees and Support
Application Fee
Caution Money
Fellowship and Scholarship
Financial Assistance
General Expenses
Other Fees
Tuition Fee and Registration Fee
FAQs
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