Sept 2025 Entry
What's New
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:
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A strong emphasis on social needs and policy relevant research;
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A commitment to enhancing social betterment and improving the well-being of individuals, children, families and disadvantaged groups in our community;
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A preference for collaborative work with partnering institutions in Hong Kong, China and the region; and
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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.
Family, Child, Youth, and Ageing Studies
Active ageing; elder abuse; elder care
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. BAI Xue | 3400 3694 | xuebai@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie | 2766 5733 | elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr KWAN Crystal | 3400 3681 | cyeekwan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHENG Shing Vincent | 2766 4670 | vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr HUANG Shixin Daisy | 2766 5686 | daisy.huang@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LIU Tianyin Bridget | 2766 5015 | tianyin-bridget.liu@polyu.edu.hk |
Child development; child abuse
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. CHAN Ko Ling Edward | 2766 5709 | koling.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Kin Ming Camilla | 2766 5760 | camilla.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHEN Qiqi | 2766 4695 | qiqi23.chen@polyu.edu.hk |
Family studies; family violence; family therapy; marriage; parent education
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. CHAN Ko Ling Edward | 2766 5709 | koling.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel | 2766 5652 | daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet | 2766 7944 | janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie | 2766 5733 | elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr YU Lu | 2766 4859 | lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine | 2766 5787 | jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Xiaomin | 3400 3672 | xiaomin.li@polyu.edu.hk |
Positive youth development; youth leadership; career development; guidance and counselling
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel | 2766 5652 | daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. CHUI Wing Hong Eric | 3400 3018 | wing-hong.chui@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet | 2766 7944 | janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr YU Lu | 2766 4859 | lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine | 2766 5787 | jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel | 2766 5786 | angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Xiang | 2766 7827 | xann.li@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHU Xiaoqin Julie | 2766 5741 | xiaoqin.zhu@polyu.edu.hk |
Youth deviant behaviours; youth and drug; youth and gambling; addiction prevention
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. CHUI Wing Hong Eric | 3400 3018 | wing-hong.chui@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel | 2766 5652 | daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Chi Mei Jessica | 3400 3021 | cmj.li@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Kin Ming Camilla | 2766 5760 | camilla.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr YU Lu | 2766 4859 | lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine | 2766 5787 | jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHENG Shing Vincent | 2766 4670 | vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk |
Psychology, Mental Health and Health
Applied neuropsychology; social cognition; biological psychology
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. HU Xiangen | 3400 3475 | xiangen.hu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WU Yin | 2766 7746 | y.wu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William | 2766 5710 | william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
Culture and mental health; mental health policy and service
Educational psychology; developmental psychology; psychopathology
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. HU Xiangen | 3400 3475 | xiangen.hu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel | 2766 5652 | daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LU Huijing | 2766 5755 | huijing.lu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr YU Lu | 2766 4859 | lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHU Shimin Jasmine | 2766 5787 | jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk |
Environmental psychology; community psychology
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William | 2766 5710 | william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
Public health; medical anthropology and sociology
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. YAN Chau Wai Elsie | 2766 5733 | elsie.yan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr SIU Yuen Man Judy | 2766 7747 | judy.ym.siu@polyu.edu.hk |
Social psychology; cultural psychology
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. CHEN Xiaohua Sylvia | 3400 3696 | sylvia.chen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHAN Hoi Wing William | 2766 5710 | william-hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr HUI Pui Hung Bryant | 2766 7744 | bryant-p-h.hui@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr NG Chi Kit Jacky | 2766 7740 | jackyck.ng@polyu.edu.hk |
Social Policy, Social Welfare and Community Development
Disaster management and risk reduction
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr KWAN Crystal | 3400 3681 | cyeekwan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel | 2766 5786 | angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk |
Housing policy; health policy; labour and welfare policy; ageing and family policy; comparative social policy
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. BAI Xue | 3400 3694 | xuebai@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WONG Yee Hang Mathew | 2766 5653 | mathew.wong@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr SEO Bokyong Grace | 2766 5632 | grace.seo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WU Qiaobing | 3400 3676 | qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr HUANG Shixin Daisy | 2766 5686 | daisy.huang@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LEE Cheng Pang | 2766 5705 | chengpang.lee@polyu.edu.hk |
Quality of life; social indicators; social stratification; social exclusion/inclusion
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. SHEK Tan Lei Daniel | 2766 5652 | daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. CHEN Juan | 3400 3689 | juan.chen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WONG Yee Hang Mathew | 2766 5653 | mathew.wong@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr YU Lu | 2766 4859 | lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Po Yee Iris | 2766 5740 | iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
Third-sector development; social enterprise; social economy; social innovation
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WU Qiaobing | 3400 3676 | qiaobing.wu@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr NIE Lin | 3400 3492 | lin-apss.nie@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr TO Yee Man Yvette | 2766 5790 | yvette.to@polyu.edu.hk |
Social Theory, China and Global Social Development
Culture, social technology and digital studies
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian | 2766 5738 | christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr AU Cheuk Ho Anson | 3400 3692 | anson-ch.au@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHENG Shing Vincent | 2766 4670 | vincent-s.cheng@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LEE Cheng Pang | 2766 5705 | chengpeng.lee@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr TING Tin Yuet | 2766 5722 | tyting@polyu.edu.hk |
Gender/sexuality; race/ethnicity and labor studies
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHAN Wai Ling Jenny | 2766 5743 | jenny.wl.chan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LEE Cheng Pang | 2766 5705 | chengpang.lee@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Xiaomin | 3400 3672 | xiaomin.li@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Po Yee Iris | 2766 5740 | iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr WANG Jia | 2766 5744 | jia-apss.wang@polyu.edu.hk |
Globalisation, migration and social development
Social theory and social philosophy
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian | 2766 5738 | christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr AU Cheuk Ho Anson | 3400 3692 | anson-ch.au@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Po Yee Iris | 2766 5740 | iris-py.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr TING Tin Yuet | 2766 5722 | tyting@polyu.edu.hk |
Urbanisation, rural-urban relations and local governance
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. CHEN Juan | 3400 3689 | juan.chen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr KAN Ching Yeung Karita | 2766 5725 | karita.kan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr ZHAN Yang | 3400 3494 | yang.zhan@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr CHEN Jiaxin Ruby | 2766 5748 | jiaxin-ruby.chen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LIU Jingping Penny | 2766 4656 | jingping-penny.liu@polyu.edu.hk |
Social Work and Human Service Management
Human services management; information-knowledge management
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Dr GREIFFENHAGEN Christian | 2766 5738 | christian.greiffenhagen@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr NIE Lin | 3400 3492 | lin-apss.nie@polyu.edu.hk |
Indigenization of social work practice; social work education; social work values and ethics
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel | 2766 5786 | angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk |
Practice research; program evaluation
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. KU Hok Bun Ben | 2766 4553 | hok.bun.ku@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Hay Ming Herman | 2766 5769 | herman.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LAI Hor Yan Angel | 2766 5786 | angelhy.lai@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Chen Richard | 2766 5750 | richard-chen.li@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LIU Tianyin Bridget | 2766 5015 | tianyin-bridget.liu@polyu.edu.hk |
Social work supervision; social work practice
| Supervisor | Tel | |
| Prof. LEUNG Tsin Yee Janet | 2766 7944 | janet.leung@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LI Chi Mei Jessica | 3400 3021 | cmj.li@polyu.edu.hk |
| Dr LO Hay Ming Herman | 2766 5769 | herman.lo@polyu.edu.hk |
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.
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Peking University -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Centre
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Research Laboratory - Research equipment such as electroencephalography (EEG) for collecting neurological data, BIOPAC system for collecting physiological data like skin conductance, heart rate, and respiration, and Virtual Reality facilities for collecting behavioral data in immersive environments
For enquiries about the programmes, please contact us.
Compulsory - Two Academic Referee's Reports are required.
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory - A standard form must be used for the submission of research proposal. Please click here to download the form.
Compulsory – Please upload all academic qualifications including Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree (if any) according to the University’s admission requirements, also refer to the ‘Procedures – Guidelines for Submitting Supporting Documents’ to follow the submission requirements.
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.
