CITY CLASS Issue 15 | OCT 2023

ISSUE 15 | OCT 2023

Department of Chinese and History

Department of English

Department of Linguistics and Translation

Chan Feng Men-ling Chan Shuk-lin

Department of Media and Communication

Department of Public and International Affairs

Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Envision a New Era with Humanist Technologists

The pursuit of knowledge has always driven human progress. From scientific discoveries to technological advancements, it has transformed lives, shaping the way we live, work and communicate.

With each increasingly rapid leap in science and technology, the humanistic perspectives underlying new innovations can sometimes be overlooked. In contrast, the gulfs between seemingly disparate fields, such as art and science, can appear insurmountable.

However, at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), an interdisciplinary approach towards research has revealed that the humanities and social sciences are successfully informing and enriching our understanding of science and technology and vice versa. Moreover, at the forefront of this interdisciplinary movement is not only a diverse community of students but also research clusters led by some of the world’s most brilliant minds.

CityU aptly calls them “humanist technologists”. These are the scholars that are leading the charge, enriching the conversation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Their work highlights how the interplay between humanities and the social sciences, and the development of science and technology, are working together to innovate in ethics, history and communications, creating a new cultural context.

Ensure AI Ethics in Play

With the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in society since the explosion of interest following the launch of ChatGPT-4, the need for an ethical code surrounding its proper use and behaviour cannot be stressed enough. For this reason, the further development of AI is not just about the evolution of physics or computing, but perhaps more importantly it is about developments within the humanities.

“The humanistic perspective is critical because technology by itself cannot bring value to us,” says Professor Fiona NAH Fui-hoon, who is a professor in CityU’s Department of Media and Communication as well as the convenor of the College’s Brain research cluster. She argues, “To bring out the true value of technology in society, we have to look at humancentred AI and human-centred technology. They should all be human-centred for us to progress in the right direction to bring the best value to society.”

While this seems like obvious conjecture, Nah, who is listed as among the world’s top 2% of scientists according to a study by Stanford University, says that the development of AI technology has shown that it is easy to get caught up in the science and to overlook the humanities aspect and that this is a mistake.

“As a developer, you might think that you have all the information and what you have developed is perfect, but,

CityU’s scholars take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding progress, viewing science and technology and the humanities as interwoven disciplines that contribute to our advancement

As technology advances, it ought to be developed in a way that brings value to society.

interestingly, when you run a test on the user, you may realise many things don’t work,” she explains.

This is why open communication and the consultative process are so important. “The world is changing. Business processes are changing. It’s about making the system better, and you can’t eliminate the human from the socio-technical system because, ultimately, the system needs to serve the users,” says Nah.

Citing Hong Kong’s Smart City objectives as an example, she explains that as the technology is developed, there are clear expectations from society that it will be trustworthy, reliable and safe. “While engineers can focus on the technological side, the humanistic side needs to be there to ensure that the technology is not harming people by creating negative consequences.”

And this is where ethics comes into play. Nah argues that one of the ways ethics will play out in AI will be the development of more sophisticated monitoring systems: “I believe we need to have a monitoring system on AI because AI is going to learn and adapt, so somebody has to watch over it, both machine and human, a combination of both to ensure that it doesn’t deviate from the norm.”

AI chatbots have exploded in popularity since ChatGPT-4 was unveiled, but the ethical dimension of this development requires more consideration.

While engineers can focus on the technological side, the humanistic side needs to be there to ensure that the technology is not harming people by creating negative consequences

Professor Fiona Nah Fui-hoon

Honouring the Past, Paving the Future

Another interdisciplinary area at CityU that has benefited from close collaboration between the humanities and science is in the study of art history. When it comes to advancing the human race, we cannot underestimate the value of lessons from our past in helping us to make more informed decisions about our future. To this end, understanding historical contexts can help us to avoid repeating mistakes while providing us with insights into the cultural, social and economic factors that shape our world today.

In this sense, the use of technology in the study of artworks has revolutionised our understanding of the past.

“The development to use the natural sciences to study artworks

already started in the early 20th century in America and Europe,” says Professor Astrid HARTH, Assistant Professor of the Department of Chinese and History. As both an art historian and a conservation scientist, Harth specialises in technical art history, bridging the gap between art and science.

“Today, we have more imaging techniques available to us,” she explains. These include using visual methods to study paintings’ chemical composition, using AI to analyse works, new mobile equipment, and even advanced scanning methods using X-ray fluorescence and other spectral imaging technologies.

“In general, these tools allow us to become more interdisciplinary in our approach as art historians, art conservators and even as art

Nah believes that as AI develops we will need increasingly sophisticated monitoring systems.

curators because we can delve more deeply into the material side of artworks and use this as source material rather than just relying on traditional source material like written sources,” she says.

New technologies have therefore given value to our understanding of the past in immeasurable ways. Just as valuable, non-invasive methods mean that it is not always necessary to take physical samples.

“You can now scan an entire painting and know its entire chemical composition without even touching or moving it,” Harth explains. “Or you can use machine learning to gain a deeper understanding of inscriptions on paintings that are lost and are no longer readable. AI can help reconstruct those lost writings–that’s quite popular.”

Given that art is an important medium to understand society in a time and place, technology-assisted discoveries have allowed

researchers like Harth to gain new perspectives on different periods.

“For instance, during the Renaissance, European courts really wanted to attract painters like Da Vinci because of their great minds. Men like him were polymaths, and not only could they create these beautiful works of art, but at the same time, they could come up with your military strategy. So while they were scientists, their medium was often in painting,” she says.

Further telling examples of why an interdisciplinary approach is so important to the research of art were the discoveries brought to light at one of the world’s most famous religious works, the Ghent Altarpiece. Also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, in 2012, imaging techniques were used to scan its surface and revealed that the piece was heavily painted over in the 16th century, about a century after its creation by the Van Eyck brothers.

Art history may seem rooted in the humanities but scholars like Harth make good use of the latest technology.

“There were changes made to the original style of the painting, and certain motives were changed, but we don’t know why,” Harth remarks. “For centuries, we thought we were looking at this great painting from the 15th century, but actually, we were looking at a 16th-century treatment. This is an extreme example of how these new imaging tools allow us to unravel the material history of important works of art.”

Understanding Human Behaviours

Of course, underlying it all is the understanding of how the brain works. One can look to physical science alone or psychology to understand human behaviours, but to gain a holistic picture, both disciplines must come together for us to get a true understanding.

Leading in this area is Professor ZHEN Shanshan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences. She has spent her career studying psychology and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on decision-making and social reasoning in different populations like young adults and children. Using advanced neuroimaging technology such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG), Zhen has been able to map the human brain and better understand the neurocomputational bases of decision-making in social contexts.

It is through the use of technology that art historians can understand how a work of art came to be.

You can now scan an entire painting and know its entire chemical composition without even touching it or having to move it, or use machine learning to gain a deeper understanding of inscriptions on paintings that are no longer readable

Professor Astrid Harth

Professor

“I use neuroimaging methods to see how the brain regions are activated when people make decisions so that we can understand the underlying neural mechanisms of most behaviours, and we can use that to predict people’s behaviour”, she explains.

With an emphasis on social decision-making, Zhen’s work is focused on the humanistic parts of her field. Advancements in new technologies that build on new metaphors and algorithmic systems that analyse data have helped the scholar gain a deeper and broader understanding of the human decision-making process.

“For instance, looking at brain’s reward system and how they affect our motivations when we interacting with others, we no longer look at just one area of the brain to see how that affects our behaviour; instead, we are using new data analysis to understand how all parts of the brain work together,” she says.

Zhen believes that history and science are interwoven and even dependent on one another.

We no longer look at just one area of the brain to see how that affects our behaviour; instead, we are using new data analysis to understand how all parts of the brain work together

Zhen Shanshan

Neuroimaging allows CityU scientists to understand how the brain makes decisions.

Although Zhen makes her work sound relatively straightforward, the process is far from simple. Zhen’s work delves into the psychological mechanisms of people’s behaviour, drawing on a person’s past life experiences and even the study of a whole generation to understand the cultural and humanistic effects that might have affected a group of people and how that may influence their individual decision-making style.

“My research is trying to see how our own decision-making patterns may affect others or how other people’s decision-making patterns affect our own. That’s social decision-making skills,” she says.

In studying the nuances between the human brain’s cognitive and psychological aspects, Zhen is also part of the College’s Brain research cluster, where researchers from various departments and disciplines

come together using different methods to study people’s behaviour.

Ultimately, CityU’s interdisciplinary approach aims to help build a better environment to impact and advance society at all levels.

As Zhen concludes, science and technology and the humanities are disciplines that interlace with each other, and when one looks back throughout history, it becomes clear that the study of one cannot proceed without the other. As such, it is easy to understand why the University is keen to lead the way in this field.

“The more studies we do of this kind, the more we can help the government and other institutions, even at the educational level,” says Zhen. “That way, we will have more resources to help people understand their limitations and their personal motivations. Helping them to understand themselves will help develop society as a whole.”

Manning is a truly interdisciplinary expert, having completed degrees in both economics and criminology.

Looking Ahead to the Crimes to Come

Professor Matthew MANNING has set up a crime science programme that focuses on illegal activities connected to future technologies

With a cheery disposition married to a steadfast demeanour, Professor Matthew MANNING left Australia for Hong Kong hoping to make a real impact on crime. As the new head of CityU’s Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, he has great plans in mind.

“The reason I came to Hong Kong was I was always attracted to the prospect of developing a crime science programme within a university setting—and this will be the first crime science programme in the entire region,” beams Manning.

While he calls himself a crime scientist, Manning is also an applied microeconomist. Having attained an undergraduate degree in economics, for his master’s degree he turned his focus to criminology, before finally completing a PhD in both disciplines.

A Very Modern Crime Fighter

After more than two decades working across fields, Manning now has a unique skill set that allows him to come up with processes and strategies that allow criminal justice actors to respond to the rise of new and more complex crimes.

“My focus is purely on crime science at the moment with the goal to further develop theories and processes in this area, but also to develop tools that can be used by governments and industry to deal with some of these crimes,” he says.

The crimes that Manning refers to are future crimes— crimes that are committed because of the development of new technologies and the internet.

“The problem is when we have new technologies, criminals find ways to exploit those technologies,” he explains. “So my aim over the next five to ten years is not necessarily looking at what

was done in the past or now, but looking to see what’s going to occur in the future. That’s what we call future crimes.”

As a future crime scholar, Manning has several objectives. The first is to research and uncover how individuals commit future crimes in the first place. From there, his work is about identifying the processes that can be adopted to make committing future crimes more difficult, riskier and less rewarding. And finally, he seeks to develop the tools that can help governments and industries to make strategic economic decisions that create efficiency and enhance the return on investment.

To Manning’s credit, he is the brainchild behind multiple economic tools that are being used by government agencies such as the College of Policing in the UK. Now he wants to create that sort of impact in Hong Kong and the region.

According to him, Hong Kong, like much of the world, is seeing a decline in traditional crimes, while unfortunately witnessing a rapid increase in internet-related crimes fuelled by new technologies.

In 2022, for example, Manning explained the rate of deception in Hong Kong has risen by 45% and now accounts for almost half of the overall number of crimes captured in the system. Common examples include shopping and investment scams. More sophisticated crimes can range from counterfeiting technology to using digital assets to laundering money, to name but a few.

“What we want to try and do is think of what are the implications of these new technologies,” says Manning, “and in what ways can we mitigate the potential vulnerabilities that are created as a result of new technologies.”

Coming to Grips with the Future

The new head of department notes that businesses and companies who create these technologies may not be aware or think of what the criminal implications are. Citing digital asset crimes as an example, Manning notes that it will continue to be a big issue in East Asia, especially in cities like Hong Kong where digital currencies are taking off.

“We currently do not have the processes in place to effectively deal with this issue but we always need to find solutions to potential issues that may arise, and come up with processes and tools that assist in making better decisions in terms of the efficiency and the detection of crime,” he says.

Manning reveals that a key aspect of fighting future crime is having efficiency. And in this regard, it is a major part of Manning’s research. Since criminal justice systems have only a limited amount of resources to deal with future crimes, having sufficient solutions and efficient options is key. Based on Manning’s research and experience, he has a number of recommendations. The first one being a focus on partnerships.

“The criminal justice system cannot do it all alone, it has to be done in partnerships,” he explains. “And universities are a great place to start because of their numerous assets. The next thing is to focus on breaking down silos between governments, industry, regulatory operators and even citizens within society.”

My aim over the next five to ten years is not necessarily looking at what was done in the past or now, but looking to see what’s going to occur in the future. That’s what we call future crimes

Professor Matthew Manning

Law enforcers should use new technology to combat increasingly sophisticated cyber crimes.

Another recommendation is to focus on crime detection and prevention utilising data.

“I believe that data is the new world,” Manning enthuses, “and within it lies the potential to reveal the placement of efficient prevention alternatives that makes crime more difficult and less rewarding; that makes it riskier and less excusable.”

Lastly, Manning notes that while technology may be a new vehicle for carrying out future crimes, crime fighters can also use the same technologies in the prevention and solving of the same crimes.

“With technology—things such as cameras, videos and social media—these generate massive amounts of volumes of data, and with artificial intelligence, we can use that to detect crimes that would otherwise go undetected,” he says.

In other words, by fully embracing the potential of AI, technology can help in responding to various security incidents in real time and automating processes like data collection and incident response—all of which helps to reduce the response time for organisations.

“We have to acknowledge that AI is powerful and we are at an exploratory stage,” Manning says, “so one of the things we need to do within universities is to understand how the technology can be used, and that’s another area we need to look at.”

The Impactful Synergy of Different Disciplines

Right now Manning is in the process of developing new tools that will use modern scientific techniques to assist governments and industries in making more efficient and effective decisions. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We need to go outside of the department and start working with others,” explains Manning. “We need to think about activities that bring different disciplines together with shared goals. I don’t want the department to be seen as one of disparate disciplines, but rather an integration of disciplines that are capable of addressing the problems I mentioned earlier.”

For this reason, Manning is currently working on some memorandums of understanding with other universities in the hopes of increasing connections to other world-leading institutions. At the same time, he wants to focus on strengthening the department’s core disciplines.

But ultimately, Manning wants the department to make an impact beyond the ivory towers of academia.

“One thing that attracted me to CityU was its determination to provide answers to real world problems,” he says, “and since there is no crime science department in this region, I want the University to be recognised and to be able to work with industry and governments to help solve some real-world problems.”

New technology brings new opportunities for advanced types of crime and Manning is determined to lead the fightback.

Seeing

his research have a social impact is one of the most rewarding aspects of work for Wang.

From Computational Social Science to Social Impact

Concerns about AI are rife but it pays to recall earlier responses to social media—learning how to make the most effective use of it will ultimately be to our great advantage

In today’s digital age, the spread of information and its impact on society cannot be understated. During the years of COVID-19, information played a powerful role in determining—for better and for worse—how the pandemic panned out in communities across the world and affected billions of lives.

This is one of the many reasons why Professor Vincent WANG Xiaohui’s work is so important in understanding the world we live in today. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Wang’s research looks at the convergence and intersection of information, communication and new technologies, with a particular focus on social media, computational social science, health information and human-computer interaction.

“Computational social science is an interdisciplinary field that leverages the power of computational methods and social science theory to address social issues,” he explains. Using digital trace data such as social media data, online forum data and similar sorts of platforms, Wang’s research seeks to understand the basis of human interaction through technology.

“On a large enough scale, real data from social media can help us to understand human activities at a societal level,” he says.

Wang’s passion can be traced back to the years when he was completing his PhD in Information Studies at Nanyang Technological University. During that time, he met two professors working in

computational social science whose work and mentorship inspired him to pursue his own research in the field.

Another reason for following this area of study is that he enjoys the interdisciplinary nature of computational social science.

“One reason I chose to study computational social science is that I had positioned myself to be an interdisciplinary scholar,” he explains. “My research focus was on bridging the gap between different disciplines.”

Putting Theory into Practice

In fact, Wang is a leader in this field, being a member of the Web Mining Lab at CityU and a scientist at the Laboratory for AI-Powered Financial Technologies Limited, a research and technology centre cofounded by CityU and the Ivy League Columbia University.

Above all else, what drives Wang is a passion for seeing his research used in real-life situations and how it can make a real social impact. As an example, in 2018, Wang was part of a study that looked at misinformation on social media platforms. His research was later turned into a policy document for the World Health Organization.

“I felt really excited by this,” he says, “and this is something that motivates me to do more research that can have real social impact.”

Wang works in a field that is quickly changing thanks to the constant development of new technologies. One established new arena is social media, which has played an increasingly powerful role in society since the onset of Facebook almost two decades ago.

“In the beginning, people tried to discuss whether we needed to adopt social media. Of course, we don’t discuss this anymore,” Wang says. “But after 20 years of research, what are some conclusions we have reached about social media?”

According to Wang, the consensus today is that social media cannot be categorised into “the good, the bad or the ugly”, but instead needs to be understood as a complex social system. On the positive side, it can provide support and encourage engagement through online communities. On the flip side, it can lead to the fragmentation of society, polarisation, and the viral spread of misinformation and hate speech.

“Social media is more like an extension of yourself and a mirror of the faces of society, so it’s become part of the social system.”

AI and Moving Beyond Social Media

However, Wang believes that Mark ZUCKERBERG’s creation may have passed the peak of its influence. Now, the focus is on AI.

“People are paying less attention to social media. Instead, they are talking more about ChatGPT and how AI chatbots are reshaping society and communications,” Wang says.

While he sees some similarities between AI and social media, Wang says that there are differences in the way people consume and spread information, and how research is conducted using AI.

Wang notes that AI’s impact is already wide-reaching—not only in communication practice, but also in news, business and even education.

Wang believes that society needs to embrace advances in technology such as AI rather than to fear it.

The professor admits that AI is a minefield and that the rise of chatbots has created the opportunity for plagiarism as well as many questions surrounding the originality of content. But his advice is that instead of looking away or banning the technology, society needs to learn to embrace it and use it to its advantage.

With his own students, Wang has found ways to harness the technology in the classroom.

“We try to train students to have the ability to ask questions of AI as well as the ability to judge the quality of the answers provided by ChatGPT because its online resources and information come from different databases online,” he explains.

There is no overseeing function that governs the content AI uses, and the information in its database can be of varied quality. The information used can even be entirely fabricated, but Wang believes that students need to develop an ability to discern what is and isn’t credible information.

Furthermore, he believes that students today must have some level of algorithm literacy, meaning the ability to judge the quality of AI answers and how far they should incorporate this new technology into their own work.

“We are not talking about ChatGPT as a research objective,” Wang declares. “We are actually talking about how to incorporate it into the whole research process, for brainstorming, data collection, and data analysis.”

Looking to the Future

When thinking ahead, Wang believes that AI will remain the focus of attention, as AI-assisted communication and human-AI interaction will take centre stage in shaping communication.

The challenge in the short term will continue to be the spread of misinformation. Much like in the social media age, Wang reckons that AI-generated content will remain an issue since it remains difficult for algorithms to detect whether the content was generated by a bot or not.

“Misinformation still exists in the areas of ChatGPT and so, again, it puts the onus back on the user to cross-check and judge whether the information is true or false,” he says. “In the end, humans are still very important.”

For now, Wang has his work cut out for him as his research is also looking at digital divides in society, the new gaps in the society introduced by the advance of algorithms and big data, the benefit of communication technologies for mental health, and reflecting on the evolution of technology and how it will shape the way humans interact with one another.

Still, seeing his research make a meaningful impact keeps Wang motivated. “I really enjoy this practical aspect of my research,” he says, “it’s not just relevant in my classroom but to the whole of society.”

Social media cannot simply be categorised into “the good, the bad, or the ugly”, but instead needs to be understood as part of the complex social system

Professor Vincent Wang Xiaohui

Instead of banning AI technology, Wang thinks that it is more important to foster algorithm literacy among students.

Similar Personalities Matter in Romantic Relationship

Do you and your partner share similar personality and values? New research finds that similarities between romantic partners in certain personality traits and values can improve relationship satisfaction, especially for women.

The research team led by Professor Sam YE Shengquan, Associate Professor of CityU’s Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, surveyed a group of Chinese couples who had been dating for an average of 1.5 years. Each person filled out questionnaires measuring their Big Five personality traits—extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness—as well as their personal values across four areas: self-transcendence, conservation, self-enhancement and openness to change. Then they rated their satisfaction with the relationship.

The results showed that couples who were more similar in certain personality traits and values reported greater satisfaction. Specifically, similarity in the conscientiousness personality trait and self-transcendence values was linked to higher relationship satisfaction, especially for women.

According to the researchers, these findings highlight the importance of “getting along” traits and values that facilitate positive social interactions. Conscientious, caring partners who prioritise others are more likely to develop reciprocal, satisfying bonds in the early stages of a romance. In contrast, similarity in extraversion, openness to experiences and self-focused values mattered less.

This research used advanced statistical techniques to provide more nuanced evidence that “birds of a feather flock together” when it comes to dating relationships. The results suggest that finding a partner with similar levels of key personality traits and social values may set the stage for a happier and longerlasting romance. The similarity

effects were especially notable for women, highlighting potential gender differences in relationship priorities.

More research is needed to determine if these patterns hold true in later relationship stages like marriage and parenthood. However, for young couples starting to date, choosing someone who matches your personality and shares your values appears to lead to greater satisfaction. So, take note of these traits and preferences as you enter a new relationship. Focusing on core similarities early on could pave the way for a smoother romantic journey ahead.

Publication and achievements

Ye, S; Ma, MZ; So, JJM; and Ng, TK (2023), The Effects of Similarity in Personality and Values on Relationship Satisfaction Among Dating Couples: A Response Surface Analysis, Personality and Individual Differences, vol 213, article 112306. DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2023.112306

Detecting Trajectories of Smart City Development in China

Building a smart city (SMC) is a sustainable goal of many nations, and technology is often assigned a pivotal role. Meanwhile, some theorists propose moving from a technology-centric approach to a more human-centric one in policymaking. So how will the SMC concept play out in reality?

Professor HU Wanyang, Assistant Professor of CityU’s Department of Public and International Affairs, and her research team, studied SMC policies in China by conducting a text analysis of policy documents from 341 Chinese prefectural cities published between 2009 and 2020. The findings were different from what theorists had predicted.

China’s SMC development has been part of significant initiatives in its Five-Year Plans, with the central government taking a top-down approach. Since 2009, Chinese cities have dedicated massive public investment to developing information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

The prevalence of the technology-centric approach in China’s SMC development is due to three factors. First, smart technologies can address urban issues derived from rapid socioeconomic development. Second, China’s top-down policy-driven mode provides robust policy support for using smart technologies. However, it limits citizen participation in planning SMC development strategies and results in the extensive adoption of the technology-centric approach.

Lastly, economically developed cities are more active in SMC policymaking, as demonstrated by the degree of economic development and population density varying among the Chinese cities covered in the study. Since higher fiscal capacity allows more investment in SMC development, these cities can use new technology to tackle urban management issues and enhance their role in the global discourse of SMC development. Although the importance of human-centricity is predicted to increase, economically developed and denser cities tend to remain more technology-centric.

Chinese cities at different stages of SMC development also prioritise technology over human elements. At the initial stage, cities focus solely on building ICT infrastructure. At the most advanced stage, cities prioritise human capital and quality of life, while promoting technological applications and public-private partnerships. The study suggested that developing human capital in SMC policies is necessary for China.

Publication and achievements

Hu, W; Wang, S; and Zhai, W (2023), Human-centric vs Technology-centric Approaches in a Top-down Smart City Development Regime: Evidence from 341 Chinese Cities, Cities, vol 137, pp 104271. DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2023.104271

Novel Lexical Semantic Change in Chinese Social Media

Publication and achievements

Liu, M; Liang, Y; and Wan, Y (2023). Novel Lexical Semantic Change and Interactivization, in Q Su; G Xu; and X Yang (eds), Chinese Lexical Semantics: 23rd Workshop, CLSW 2022, Revised Selected Papers, Part I (1 ed, pp 125-138). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol 13495). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-28953-8_11

Virtual Distance in Project Work During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments closed schools and universities, and, as a result, educators around the world resorted to online distance learning, or what some people called “emergency remote teaching”. One of the key challenges that teachers faced was how to engage with their students at a distance, using video conferencing platforms like Zoom that lacked the physical proximity of face-to-face interaction. The virtual distance between teachers, students, and their peers initially created feelings of isolation that many struggled with.

In any virtual team there can be issues related to “virtual distance”. These issues can arise from the technology that is being used, which might interfere with normal communication. For example, it can be difficult, or even impossible, to communicate with gesture and gaze over a platform like Zoom. At the same time, the problems can arise from other sources as well. The idea of “virtual distance” therefore includes not only 1) physical distance between team members, and 2) so-called “operational distance” or day-to-day communication challenges, but also 3) “affinity distance”, which is the social and emotional distance that team members can experience.

To better understand how students were experiencing emergency remote teaching, Professor Christoph A HAFNER, Associate Professor of CityU’s Department of English, led a case study that investigated the perceptions of students taking a course in English for science at CityU in the beginning of 2020, a time when social restrictions were especially acute. On that course, students worked in teams to carry out a simple study and create an English video to report their findings.

One of the student teams encountered especially difficult circumstances, as three of the students returned home to Indonesia and carried out their remote learning from that locale. This created a geographical, socio-technical divide. The three Indonesian teammates often discussed their project work privately, excluding their Hong Kong teammate. They met outside of Hong Kong (a geographical barrier to communication), set up an extra WhatsApp

group (a technical barrier), and were from the outset all part of a preexisting friendship group (a social barrier). In this case, the physical, technical, and social dynamic of the team “piled up” to create particularly difficult challenges to effective communication.

These physical, operational, and social factors are also relevant for student teamwork beyond the pandemic. An important implication, now that educators have returned to the classroom, is that for student teams to be successful, teachers need to provide them with opportunities to develop not only good communication practices, but also strong social and emotional bonds.

Publication and achievements

Hafner, CA & Xia, S 2023, “Virtual Distance in Project Work: What We Have Learned From the Pandemic”, RELC Journal DOI: 10.1177/00336882231158162

Collaboration between Corrections and Psychology Blossoms

The Hong Kong Correctional Services Department and CityU’s Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences join hands to improve the lives of incarcerated individuals through research-based rehabilitation programmes

The celebrated poet Oscar WILDE once measured his time behind bars by throbs of pain, bringing to light the harrowing experience shared by many incarcerated individuals. But today, amid the darkness, a ray of hope shines through. A partnership between the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS) at CityU brings solace and healing to those in custody. It has driven both parties to gain a deeper understanding of criminal behaviours and effective ways to promote the well-being and rehabilitation of persons-incustody (PICs).

The First Seed of Hope

Key to this collaboration is Professor Samuel HO Mun-yin of SS, who has been conducting research on traumatology and resilience for more than two decades. To maximise his research’s impact, Ho developed assessment tools, materials and protocols for evidencebased hope intervention in Hong Kong.

Ho’s research caught the attention of CSD and its team of clinical psychologists. The Department approached him with the idea of establishing the Psychological Gymnasium (Psy Gym), a prologue to the later partnership between CSD and SS and a prime example of how psychology scholars have collaborated with correctional service officers to enhance the quality of rehabilitation services.

Established in 2011, the facility is a personal growth and treatment centre for women, providing gender-specific assessment and treatment for women in custody. Ho provided valuable advice in setting up the Psy Gym, introducing positive psychology concepts such as cognition of hope, positive mindfulness and personal strength to the Psy Gym’s treatment model. The facility also allowed Ho to apply the hope intervention model, which has received highly positive feedback from both users and administrators, enhancing the model of rehabilitation in correctional facilities in Hong Kong and Asia.

The collaboration has yielded many positive outcomes. Dr Judy HUI Shuk-han, Senior Clinical Psychologist at CSD, says, “With

Professor Ho’s consultation, he introduced positive psychology into Psy Gym treatment. We are delighted to see positive psychology helping female persons-in-custody to flourish.”

Additionally, Ho has suggested several research directions to enhance CSD services further, including collaborating in identifying the re-offending risk and need factors of female PICs, studying the relationship between hope and mental health of women in custody, and examining the prosocial profile of adult offenders.

Such insights have improved the quality of CSD services, highlighting the importance of partnerships between psychology scholars and correctional service providers in improving rehabilitation services for PICs.

A Treasure Trove of Triumphs

The partnership between SS and CSD has led to many successful strategies and applications. To dispense the wisdom, they coorganised a sharing forum titled “Gripping Insights: Recent Psychological Research on Hong Kong Corrections” on 30 May 2023. The event attracted more than 250 scholars, students and professionals in correctional services who were eager to learn from the partnership’s successes and hear the latest psychological research in the discipline.

Throughout the event, one theme arose that resonated with all in attendance: the significance of building bridges between corrections and psychology. CSD’s latest book Gripping Insights

Discussants threw light on rehabilitation and well-being of persons-in-custody at the sharing forum.

was introduced during the forum, offering a wealth of professional knowledge and wisdom gleaned from years of clinical practice and research conducted by clinical psychologists at CSD. The book covers an array of topics in the criminal justice system, including intervention for sexual offending and virtual reality technology in psychological treatment. It promised to be a treasure trove of empirical studies, research findings and practical examples of helping PICs with different profiles.

In the opening remarks, Professor Freddy BOEY Yin-chiang, President of CityU, described the collaboration between SS and CSD as a testament to the relevance of academic research. He was particularly impressed by the Department’s commitment to the community. “Academia should stand in the global world while having a foot on the local ground,” he said, highlighting community engagement as a new research direction.

The sharing forum was officiated by President Boey (right) and Mr Wong Kwok-hing.

Academia should stand in the global world while having a foot on the local ground

President Freddy Boey Yin-chiang

President

Mr WONG Kwok-hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services, also delivered an opening address, affirming the decades of effort CSD has devoted to conducting evidence-based research. He noted that the Rehabilitation Division, which has been in operation for 25 years, has been at the forefront of this endeavour, combining scientific theories with clinical practice to improve the quality and efficiency of its services.

Meaningful Dialogues

As the forum continued, attendees were treated to a professional dialogue with an impressive line-up of discussants, including Ho, Hui, and Dr Vivian MAK Wai-ming, Senior Clinical Psychologist at CSD, as well as student representatives from CityU, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong.

The discussants explored the book’s essence and implications for promoting rehabilitation and well-being in the correctional system. The conversation delved into the values of psychological services and how they can be integrated with clinical practice to drive positive outcomes.

The forum also featured videos showcasing stories of PICs and rehabilitated persons. These videos demonstrated the transformative impact of psychological services, showcasing firsthand accounts of how clinical practice, psychological research, and NGO collaborations have helped individuals tackle and overcome their challenges.

Later, many thought-provoking questions from the floor further enriched attendees’ insights into corrections and psychology. The participants hence left with a newfound appreciation of the multifaceted nature of serving time. Together, correctional services practitioners and psychology scholars may cultivate a new vision for rehabilitation’s future—one rooted in empathy, compassion and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.

Boey delivered the opening remarks, recognising the Department’s commitment to the community.

The floor was opened for questions after the professional dialogue session.

Reimagining the Role of Technology in Uncovering History

Professor TSUI Lik-hang, who has been awarded one of this year’s CityU Teaching Excellence Awards, is an advocate of faculty and students remaining open to change, such as with the role that technology can play even in a field like history

When it comes to talking about history, a smile spreads across Professor TSUI Lik-hang’s face. When the conversation shifts to teaching, his eyes visibly light up. It’s impossible to miss how excited he is to bring history to life for his students, and it is his passion and enthusiasm that have earned him one of this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) conferred by CityU.

“I wouldn’t say I’m outstanding,” Tsui begins humbly. “We get trained as researchers and not as teachers, so I’ve had to feel my way into this role.”

Tsui, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chinese and History (CAH) of CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, fell into his teaching career about 10 years ago when he was at the University of Oxford. At the time, he was delivering small-group tutorials while he worked on his doctorate degree. His excellence has been internationally recognised and accredited as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in the UK.

While he jokes that the words “history” and “teacher” usually conjure images of professors spitting out dates and facts while standing in front of yawning students, Tsui’s approach is quite different.

“Interaction is so crucial,” he says, “especially for history professors. We can go on and on talking and it’s quite easy to

do that, but that’s not great for students—in particular, if they are rather shy and need help with boosting their confidence. That’s why I adopt a dialogic approach—not assuming, not even offering answers sometimes. This helps students to understand that there aren’t always set answers, and that there are no set answers in humanities. It’s the interpretation that matters.”

Tsui is quick to admit that he has had the good fortune to follow in the footsteps of and learn from some great instructors throughout his career. Whether it was his own teachers when he was a student or merely observing other brilliant masters at work, he learned that sustaining students’ interests is always a big win.

“That’s why when you ask me about my teaching model, I would say, the model I want for my teaching is a digital deep dive into where the past and the present meet. It’s not just scratching the surface and taking things at face value. It’s about the intersection of something very old but also something new, and that’s where the action and excitement take place.”

Bringing History up to Date

Tsui practices what he preaches. Nowhere is this more evident than in his areas of expertise—he is a scholar of premodern Chinese studies with a specialty in digital humanities. And the professor isn’t afraid to inject this interdisciplinary approach and technology into the classroom for teaching and learning purposes.

Tsui's passion and enthusiasm for teaching have earned him one of this year's CityU Teaching Excellence Awards.

He is well known for introducing a series of online collaborative annotation activities which keeps his history classes fresh and exciting for students, and so he emphasises that technology very much has its place in the study of history.

“Digital humanities, to me, is a new way to ask, refine and answer questions,” Tsui explains. “The use of technology isn’t just a tool to bring everything up to date or to modernise history. It’s also about getting us to approach the subject from a new standpoint and ask new questions, knowing that everything isn’t set in stone and it’s not just about memorising dates and dynasties.”

Harnessing the Potential of Technology

When it comes to putting history and technology together, Tsui says that many people think the two are incompatible. However, he believes that modern technology such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) very much has a place in the study of history.

Tsui explains that the way history is often studied through a research cycle carried out in steps. First, scholars gather their materials, then there is the reading, processing, thinking and working. The final step is the writing of conclusions, whether that’s writing books or academic papers or speeches introducing the work

to the academic world. Yet, each of these steps has fundamentally been altered by technology and computational methods.

“This often isn’t something that historians think much about,” he reflects, “but actually we’ve already changed, and that’s why the digital humanities is a much-needed paradigm to tackle this change and think critically about these developments.”

The professor goes on to explain that moving from paper form to digital datasets and databases was one step forward, and that AI and chatbots are the next step. They can play a powerful role in providing historians with new ways of approaching data and algorithms—a completely different landscape that is richer and allows for greater critical reflection. It also facilitates access to the findings for those outside academia. Instead of shying away from technology, historians should embrace it.

“The digital humanities way is therefore to harness the potential of technology rather than run away from it, throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” he says.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Tsui’s interest in bringing together multiple disciplines to study history very much falls in line with CityU’s commitment and goals

Tsui strives to foster an interactive and engaging learning environment for his students.

Tsui believes that the field of digital humanities requires a new mindset to go alongside modern technologies. to promote interdisciplinary research and teaching. So aside from his role as Assistant Professor at CAH, he is also the convenor of the College’s Digital Society research cluster.

“Since the cluster goes across the disciplines, our members come from multiple departments and that could include Chinese and history, and communication scholars, English and digital literacy scholars, marketing experts and so on,” he explains.

“It’s a platform for collaboration between the disciplines in relation to digital society and what that means for everyone. Broadly speaking, we look at digital transformations from multiple angles so that we don’t work in silos. This of course includes what is very close to my heart, the digital humanities.”

Moving forward, Tsui has a number of different goals and aspirations. He hopes to develop more new collaborations with the College’s Digital Society research cluster, while at the same time, he wants to continue to deep dive into his research looking at how social groups throughout history interact, particularly those in medieval China. Tsui is also spearheading a pedagogical project to investigate how students can utilise new generative AI tools

to enhance their understanding of Chinese history and classical Chinese texts.

In terms of teaching and dispensing advice to his students, he has many words of wisdom. First and foremost, Tsui asks students to make the most of their time at university—to give one’s best in educating oneself but also to enjoy university in its entirety.

“Immerse yourself into campus life and university learning. It’s still my conviction that it is more rewarding if you can fully embrace campus life,” he says.

Tsui also advises students not to be scared to explore different fields. With the world transforming so quickly, he believes many will think it’s best to stay on a safe, predictable path. However, that may not be the case.

“In this fast-changing world with so many new digital technologies, the safe choices won’t be safe anymore,” he says. “The obvious options won’t be so obvious, so what you see as the safest or most obvious path might not stay so forever. Based on that, keep an open mind as much as possible. Be adaptive to change and use your critical thinking as you walk on!”

The digital humanities is a new way to ask and refine and answer questions. It’s about approaching history from a new standpoint and asking new questions, knowing that everything isn’t set in stone

Professor Tsui Lik-hang

Working All the Angles

Sam MAN Cheuk-sum followed his dreams and built a career in the media industry through persistence and hard work

For Sam MAN Cheuk-sum, his career started with a dream in secondary school. He wanted to be a disc jockey (DJ)—and he knew early on that he would be good at it.

“When I was in secondary school, I already knew I wanted to go into the entertainment business,” he beams. After reading the book I Want to Be a DJ and observing his sister do her media studies, Man saw an obvious path in front of him.

“At the time, I had no idea what media was really all about. When I did my exams, I gained some exposure to media and communications and became even more interested,” he says.

After taking his HKCEE exams, Man hoped to land a job at a radio station and start his DJ career. He applied to several stations for various positions, including a traffic reporter role. Although he did not initially receive a job offer as a DJ, Man did land a job to be a recording studio controller, which he saw as an opportunity that would move him one step closer towards his ultimate goal.

At the same time, Man had also applied for the Bachelor of Arts programme in Media and Communication at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong (CityU). A week after he landed his new job, he also received an offer to study full-time at CityU.

“So I found myself facing a real dilemma, what should I do?” he recalls. “Do I give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at a radio station? Or do I give up this great opportunity to study with one of the best education programmes I’d found–bearing in mind that it was really hard to get into CityU, and I got in!”

Indeed, Man explains that CityU’s Media and Communication course is like no other. Most programmes of its kind tend to be academic by nature and geared towards a career in journalism.

“I was after something a bit different,” he explains, “I wanted to learn about entertainment and what it means to be a good host. I wanted to learn human psychology and what it takes to bring people from all walks of life together into one place and to get the dynamics going between them to get a good show going.”

Doubling Up

In the end, after consulting with his mentors and peers, Man came to the decision to do both, knowing that this would mean sacrificing much of his personal time and sleep. But Man was up for the challenge. Scheduling all his classes in the morning so that he could be a full-time student, he started his full-time job in the late afternoon, working until 1am and only getting to bed in the middle of the night.

Thanks to the support of his peers and several professors, Man was able to balance his studies and career. “It was hard work, but it was definitely the right decision,” he says.

Man was fortunate to have professors who also worked at the radio station. Seeing his commitment to his work and studies, they often drove him to the station a few times a week as they were making their way to work. “I had an incredible amount of support, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” he reflects.

As Man continued his studies, his career also continued to grow. He worked as a weather reporter at a new TV station and then created

Man worked hard to get to where he is today, maintaining a full-time job while studying full-time at CityU.

a demo while living in his university halls, and during his final year at CityU, he landed a job as a host.

“Not only did my dreams finally come true, I managed to keep my role as a university student,” he says.

Of course, Man is the first to admit that the road was not easy and that there were many ups and downs. But he believes that his outlook on life and his past experiences have all contributed to his success in the present.

“I never say I’m successful right now; what I say is that the best is yet to come,” Man explains. Throughout his career, he has learned that if you get a feeling of self-fulfilment quickly, it’s easy to get bored and tired. If you want to keep moving forward, the answer is to push the boundaries and keep challenging yourself. Man believes this is the secret to being happier.

“When I was back at the TV station, I learned one thing that really affected my life: nothing is unresolvable. You just haven’t figured out the solution yet,” he says.

The All-rounder in Media

Man is proud that his role today is not set in stone, and he can wear many hats. Currently, he is well-known in the industry as a highly sought-after emcee and TV host, and he also works as a senior research writer at ViuTV. Arguably, he is most famous for his voice, having done many voice-overs and being featured on radio often.

“What I have learned by now is that if you want something, you really have to fight for it,” Man tells us. “I had to go for it. But of course, sometimes you don’t get it even if you try. It may not be the outcome that you want. Remember, it’s always the journey that counts.”

The way he looks at his career now, Man says that he’s had many different roles and worked in many separate areas. This has given him a more holistic understanding of the entire media industry and its developments. He makes it his mission now to look at projects and find ways to add value to existing content, especially entertainment value.

“Because I’ve been a host on the frontline and I have also worked in the background, I understand what goes on,” he says.

If you want something, you really have to fight for it. Sometimes you don’t get it, even if you try. But remember, it’s always the journey that counts

Sam Man Cheuk-sum

Man has worked throughout the media industry, in both television and radio.

Man credits a lot of his creative processes to the time he spent at CityU, where he learned about the creative thinking process behind television and radio production.

“I learned so much about how different media can create trends, and how the times have changed and the evolution of media in space and time,” he explains. “The one thing I realised is that media reflects what people are thinking during a specific time.”

Man believes the most significant change to the industry has been the creation of truly mass media and that to get messages out and to communicate effectively, brands need multiple channels to spread their word. The one word that sums up the industry, according to him, is “change”.

“For media channel professionals, we can’t rest on our laurels.

Everything changes so quickly. The next minute there could be a new media channel, and those who can adjust the fastest and adapt the quickest, those are the ones who will lead the market,” he says.

Man’s advice to others, therefore, is practical. He recommends that people never just think about their goals. While keeping their eye on the prize, they should also examine different angles and ways to reach that goal. Whether it’s success or failure, every single step counts, and eventually, if you try hard enough, you can get to where you want to go.

“Have the confidence and the guts to try what you want to try,” he says. “Don’t see all your tribulations as bad. They are just stepping stones for your own personal growth.”

CLASS Reruns Summer School to Foster

Cross-disciplinary Research

Having received positive feedback in the CLASS Advanced Methods School (CAMS) last summer, CAMS has returned in 2023 to provide rigorous, cutting-edge and multi-method training for faculty members, research staff and postgraduate students at CityU

French artist and Post-Impressionist painter Paul CÉZANNE said, “A work of art which isn’t based on feeling isn’t art at all.”

Art is a medium for artists and non-artists to express emotions, communicate thoughts and inspirations. Wherever people come from and whatever language they speak, art is a universal language that transcends words, able to be understood by people all over the world.

The examination of psychological responses to art can be measured with neuroimaging techniques which help us understand

the human consciousness and behaviour. Research in the 21st century is increasingly technology-supported, and more researchers are embracing interdisciplinary studies to address the pressing issues of today and future. CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) established CAMS in 2022, aiming to bring together esteemed methodologists worldwide to provide up-todate, wide-ranging and mixed methods training for faculty members, researchers, and students.

Freedberg's keynote speech focused on how art can transcend cultural boundaries.

Interdisciplinary Keynote

This summer, CAMS organised a new series of events including modules, seminars and publication seminars that emphasise research design, method training and practical toolkits.

On 23 June 2023, Professor David FREEDBERG, Pierre Matisse Professor of the History of Art at Columbia University, was invited to give a keynote speech titled “Empathy and Access in a Digital World” delivered worldwide online.

To begin, Professor CHENG Shuk-han, Associate Vice-President (Research) of CityU welcomed all of the participants and introduced CAMS and the four research clusters under CLASS—One Health, Digital Society, Smart City and Brain—highlighting the university’s persistent efforts in pursuit of interdisciplinary, problem-driven research projects to benefit society.

Next, Dean of CLASS Professor Richard M WALKER presented a brief introduction of CAMS 2023 and remarked on the objective of CAMS that, “methods are a good way to bring people together from different disciplines for sharing ideas … and learn alternative and new ways to address questions. This is the sort of dynamic that we have been trying to create through the use of methods.”

Freedberg is an art historian who is best-known for his work on psychological responses to art. In his keynote speech, he introduced his audience to the world of classical Western painting, architecture and sculpture, in order to examine the accessibility of art across cultures.

Having spent decades studying Dutch, Flemish, French and Italian 17th century art, as well as historiographical and theoretical areas, Freedberg’s vast knowledge of art history in the West enables him to provide numerous examples that show the positive relations between vision, embodiment, movement and emotion. He presented the works of Romantic painter Francisco GOYA and Renaissance master Paolo VERONESE to discuss with participants the elements that catch people’s attention and what people notice in a work of art regardless of their cultural upbringing.

Perceiving Art to Elicit Motor Cortex

Freedberg compared a monkey brain with a human brain to demonstrate the similarity found in the mirror neuron system in both brains. The study of automatic empathetic responses and the phantom limb experiment suggests that new cognitive neurosciences offer important therapeutic possibilities for the observation of movement and emotion in works of art. Although advanced technology can replicate artworks by artificial intelligence (AI), photography and 3D laser printing, etc, Freedberg showed that the motor cortex-evoked potential amplitude of seeing a photograph is less than that of seeing a real painting.

Freedberg concluded his presentation by commenting on advanced digital techniques: “AI will never replace human intelligence … The mistakes humans make will never be incorporated by AI because AI may be too intelligent, so the pluses serve to bring people in. The other plus, I suppose, is that these advanced digital techniques will never substitute for the human hand.”

The keynote speech ended with a Q&A session moderated by Professor Edmund CHENG, the convenor of CAMS and Professor of the Department of Public and International Affairs. Scholars and students from different disciplines and universities around the world actively exchanged their views with Freedberg and learned much about the study of neuroscience, art, history and digital technology.

This year, a total of 16 events have been organised and gathered researchers from different regions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, mainland China, Switzerland and South Korea. CAMS provided mixed methods training such as data analysis, computational application and effective scholarly writing skills for faculty members, researchers and students, facilitating transnational academic exchange.

Scan to watch Prof David Freedberg’s keynote speech.

Freedberg's speech compared monkey and human brains to examine how art affects our minds.

Human Brain

Monkey Brain

Global Learners Pen a Tale of Two Universities

Graduates and a student of the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University share their transformative experiences of international education as well as valuable tips for academic and personal success

From the bustling boulevards of New York City to the boisterous streets of Hong Kong, the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University (“the Program”) offers an international education that promises a symphony of academic excellence and insights.

On 15 May 2023, the School of General Studies at Columbia University organised the Class Day, a time-honoured tradition that celebrates the achievements of the graduating class. Matriculating at Columbia University in September 2021, three students of CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) were among the Program’s graduates this year. Professor Richard M WALKER, Dean of CLASS, attended the ceremony to personally express his heartfelt congratulations to these outstanding individuals. In a sea of sky-blue gowns, everyone was imbued with hope and optimism for the future.

Prof Richard M Walker, Dean of CLASS (fourth from left), greeted the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program graduates after the Class Day ceremony.

Chen Xi (left), Chan Ching-tung (middle), and Chloe Chow Nga-yau had a warm reunion on Class Day.

Concluding a Wondrous Chapter

What harvest did the graduates reap from the Program? CHAN Chingtung, CHEN Xi and Chloe CHOW Nga-yau reminisced about the many things they learned from the opportunities that came their way.

Interning at the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group, Chan assisted in teaching the patients DBT skills and guiding them through mindfulness. She recounts the hands-on experience, explaining that “interacting with patients and being an active listener to their stories further strengthened my determination to become a clinical psychologist”.

“At the Columbia University Impact Investing network, the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Analyst Program allowed me to delve into the critical aspects of ESG factors and their impact on investment decisions,” says Chow. She believed the acquired skillsets and knowledge would contribute to advancing sustainable and socially responsible initiatives in her career path.

Apart from the career-oriented exposures, Chen found her research endeavour rather enlightening. She participated in the STAR program, where she conducted an honours thesis under a faculty member’s supervision. As she discovered her passion for women’s mental health, a bold decision came about. Chen remarks, “I restarted my second honours thesis about pre-natal mental health for ethnic minority adolescents under Professor Catherine MONK at Columbia University Medical Center in November 2022, having only five months to complete it.” Her success in the STAR program strengthened Chen’s career aspirations in clinical psychology and prompted her to revise her post-graduation plan and long-term goals.

Keys to Success

Gritting their teeth to finish the journey despite the challenges, the graduates hit upon thought-provoking discoveries and have advice for anyone considering the Program. Chen says, “The study pressure can be huge, so good social support and timely help-seeking strategies are important.” Chan suggested coming with an open mind and being positive about trying new things and building connections, reminding students to take the initiative to apply for opportunities. Meanwhile, Chow advised students to act like a sponge. “Absorb as much knowledge, experience, and exposure as possible. Open your mind to different perspectives, ideas and ways of learning. It will enrich your educational journey,” she says.

Their advice should be valuable to the bright-eyed newcomers too. CLASS psychology student Jasmine WONG Hoi-ching just departed for New York City to continue the second half of the Program at Columbia University this year. Wong remarks, “I want to gain more international exposure and learn more knowledge and perspectives from people of different cultures.”

Speaking of academic planning and career aspiration, she shared her dream of becoming a music therapist. “Columbia University offers specific and unique knowledge about music, research centres that work on music therapy and experts who do art therapy in clinical settings. My goal is to connect with more people and learn things only available at Columbia University,” she says with determination. She then encouraged her fellows to think of a concrete career goal if they would like to apply for the Program.

Through these voices of freshers and graduates, it is evident that the Program challenges and inspires students to think critically, creatively and globally. Whether in Hong Kong or the United States, the possibilities are endless and always beneficial for one to explore.

Chan photographed outside Columbia University’s iconic Low Library.

Chow proudly displayed her certificate of completion for the ESG Analyst Program.

Chen thanked the lab members for their support during the STAR program.

Young Translators Showcase Talent in Poetry Translation Exhibition

The acclaimed novelist and poet Anne MICHAELS once wrote: “The poet moves from life to language, the translator moves from language to life.” These profound words ring true for a group of young translators who have taken it upon themselves to bring classical Chinese poems to life for today’s global audiences by translating them into English.

Their creative efforts in preserving Chinese culture have not gone unnoticed. Since 2018, the Department of Linguistics and Translation (LT) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has held the JC Poetic Heritage Translation Awards (“the Awards”), generously supported by Dr Jennifer CHEUNG Chui-yiu JP, a court member of CityU. They are open not only to LT students but to all CityU students and senior secondary students, to encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty of classical Chinese poetry.

The fruits of their labours were being celebrated in a special exhibition titled “Triumph of Words”, with the winning works of the past six years displayed in all their glory at Run Run Shaw Library from 27 June to 27 July 2023. The opening ceremony, attended by esteemed individuals and past awardees, was a grand affair. Cheung graced the occasion with her presence, along with Mr Sunny LEE

Wai-kwong, Vice-President (Administration) of CityU, Professor KIT Chunyu, Head of LT, other faculty members and guests.

The ceremony started with Kit’s welcoming speech, expressing his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made the event possible. Lee followed with opening remarks, providing background information on the awards and the benefactor. “This exhibition is a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community that values creativity, innovation and excellence,” he noted.

In her opening remarks, Cheung, a literary enthusiast, shed light on the essence of classical Chinese poetry. She also emphasised the awards’ spirit to encourage collaboration, creativity and the pursuit of solutions that make a difference in people’s lives. “By sharing the same vision, we have the power to shape a brighter future. I envision the awards serving as a catalyst for positive change,” she added.

As the ceremony unfolded, attendees enjoyed the exquisite renditions on display, showcasing the young translators’ exceptional talent and dedication. Undoubtedly, this occasion bore witness to the power of translation in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of classical Chinese poetry for generations to come.

2023 awardees celebrated their triumph with the donor, Dr Jennifer Cheung Chui-yiu JP (fourth from the front left); Mr Sunny Lee Waikwong, Vice-President (Administration) of CityU (fifth from the front left); Prof Kit Chunyu, Head of LT (fourth from the front right) and other LT faculty members.

Seminar Extends the Frontiers of Digital Humanities Research

The Digital Society research cluster of CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) hosted an online seminar entitled “Digital Humanities and Multimodality” on 10 May 2023 to examine the intersection of digital humanities and multimodality and how this emerging field can contribute to future research in humanities.

This seminar was organised by Professor Esterina NERVINO, Assistant Professor of CityU’s Department of English (EN). About 70 people attended this seminar on Zoom across different geographies, disciplines and career stages.

Professor TSUI Lik-hang, convenor of the Digital Society research cluster and Assistant Professor of CityU’s Department of Chinese and History, welcomed the speakers and participants in his opening speech, introducing the research cluster’s mission and the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the relationship between technology and society. “A thorough understanding of the relationship between technology and society, informed by the humanities and social sciences, must involve vigorous interdisciplinary research,” he said.

The seminar featured two keynote speakers. Professor John BATEMAN, Professor of Applied Linguistics at Bremen University, presented “The Relevance of Multimodality Theory for the Future of Digital Humanities” in the first session. He discussed how multimodal semiotics relate to digital humanities and the humanities in general, and how relevant analytical methods can be scaled up to encourage more discussion possibilities. Despite the diverse landscape of digital humanities scholars, he also challenged traditional perspectives and emphasised the importance of discourse semantics in constructing meaning.

The second keynote speaker was Professor Christoph HAFNER, Associate Professor of EN, who spoke on “Digital Mediation in Specialised Communication”. He explored the application of digital mediation in professional communication, and how genre theory and digital genres can improve pedagogical applications for specialised language teaching contexts. He also discussed the genre and multimodality model, developed by Bateman in 2008, to analyse genres more systematically and highlighted the pedagogical applications of specialised language teaching in digital contexts.

After the talks, Nervino moderated a fireside chat and Q&A session where speakers and participants discussed the challenges of generative AI in multimodal communication, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and new theoretical frameworks. Tsui also raised a question about the role of digital humanities in studying multimodal conversational AI. Both keynote speakers shared their takes on the thought-provoking questions and gave more examples, including AI technologies in linguistic study and digital games, to enrich participants’ understanding of digital humanities.

The seminar presented by CLASS Digital Society research cluster probes the duality of digital humanities.

Brain Research Cluster Symposium Sparks Advancements in Neuroscience

CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) established the Brain research cluster to promote research excellence in the study of the human brain and its impact on affective, behavioural and cognitive functions as well as on how individuals learn, communicate, feel and think using neuroscience and advanced information technologies.

As the research cluster has been active for two years, the Department of Media and Communication (COM) organised the Second Annual Brain Research Cluster Symposium in hybrid mode from 31 March to 1 April 2023.

Professor Fiona NAH Fui-hoon, convenor of the Brain research cluster and Professor from COM, began by greeting the 250 online participants and 50 in-person attendees. Professor Christine HUANG Yi-hui, Head of COM, then gave a welcoming speech emphasising the cluster’s objective of improving human well-being and devising innovative ways of collecting neuroscience data.

Professor Rene WEBER from the University of California, Santa Barbara, delivered the keynote speech titled “Media Neuroscience in the Communication Discipline—Select Examples from 2002 to 2022, and a Brief Look into the Future”. Weber introduced the combination of computational and neuroscience research, exploring media and morality through analysing movie scripts. Dr Ralf SCHMÄLZLE from Michigan State University and Dr Jacob FISHER from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign went on to discuss media neuroscience topics such as how human brains respond to messages from movies and how media influences attention.

Professor ZHEN Shanshan, Assistant Professor from CityU’s Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, chaired the afternoon session. It included presentations by Dr HU Xiaoqing from The University of Hong Kong, who discussed the memory editing function of human brains during sleep, and Professor RAY LC, Assistant Professor from CityU’s School of Creative Media, who focused on avatar-mediated communication in social VR.

During day two of the symposium, Dr Yoona KANG from University of Pennsylvania presented experimental results on compassion intervention and mobile-based interventions for health behaviour. Additionally, Dr Bolton CHAU from The Hong Kong

Polytechnic University shared his research project on the brain basis of decision-making.

The last session was chaired by Professor LI Jixing, Assistant Professor from CityU’s Department of Linguistics and Translation. Dr CAI Zhenguang from The Chinese University of Hong Kong showcased findings on human-like linguistic abilities in Large Language Models and experiments on ChatGPT. Building on the same topic, Dr KONG Lingpeng from The University of Hong Kong discussed syntactic parsing and machine translation under in-context learning.

Overall, the two-day symposium has brought new ideas on applying neuroscience in media and communication, psychology and linguistics.

Discover more information about the CLASS Brain research cluster.

Elevating the scope of neuroscience, the Second Annual Brain Research Cluster Symposium involved international scholars across disciplines.

CLASS Students Shine at Employers’ Luncheon 2023

The job market for university graduates is often fiercely competitive and it has only become more so since the pandemic dealt a crushing blow to the economy.

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has resolved to help prepare students for their future careers, organising the CityU Employers’ Luncheon on 27 March 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It set out to foster stronger ties and collaborations with the corporate world, raise awareness among employers about CityU’s educational philosophy, and showcase our students’ outstanding inventions and achievements.

The event started with an exhibition of students’ works. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) invited Eva Angela SEPUTRA and Kary CHAN Ka-wai to showcase their insights and fruitful learning experiences as student representatives of CLASS. Students from the other six departments of CLASS also demonstrated outstanding projects by means of publications, multimedia outputs and VR technology.

Seputra, an international student from the Department of Media and Communication, displayed her photography and volunteer experience. On her poster, the German word “Wiedersehen” means the art of seeing again. With her lens as an agent, she hit upon a fresh perspective and captured serendipitous moments in a foreign land.

Chan, a student from the Department of Chinese and History, shared her local and global exposure. In 2022, she took part in a summer programme of Harvard University’s Institute for World Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University, Germany, through CLASS. As an ambassador of the College’s Buddies Club, she also organised activities and excursions for exchange students, putting her cultural heritage knowledge into practice.

As the exhibition wound up, employers, CityU faculty members and students continued exchanging insights and mingling. On the whole, the event proved a massive success in building bridges between the corporate world and the university, giving students a welcome boost as they start their careers.

Eva Seputra (left) and Kary Chan (right) present their learning experiences and insights as CLASS student representatives.

Dean: Professor Richard M WALKER

Director of Administration: Dr Hermia CHIU Po-hing

Production: College Publicity Team

CITY CLASS connects the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) with our stakeholders. The magazine offers a snapshot of CLASS events and achievements in areas such as teaching, research, knowledge transfer, student activities, learning experiences, and university life. It aims at providing readers with insights into the College’s commitment to quality education and research.