Hong Kong Session (25 – 28 June 2024)
The Postgraduate Summer School 2024 Hong Kong Session was successfully held from 25-28 June 2024 at Lingnan University. This hybrid international programme brought together postgraduate students, academics, and researchers to engage in cross-disciplinary academic exchange and research collaboration.
The four-day event featured a series of engaging workshops covering topics such as collaborative governance, Q methodology, child well-being, geospatial analytics, participatory research, analytics for classification, language communication, and academic writing. These interactive sessions provided a platform for participants to share knowledge, experiences, and explore effective, innovative strategies for developing research topics using appropriate methodologies.
The Postgraduate Summer School was co-hosted by the School of Graduate Studies of Lingnan University and Hertford College of University of Oxford, in partnership with The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and The International Classroom for Postgraduate Research Methodology Enhancement project. The programme attracted over 150 international attendees who engaged in fruitful discussions and networking across the eight specialized workshops.
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Workshop Highlight
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Prof. Bingqin LI University of New South Wales Australia |
Professor Bingqin LI from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales provided key insights into the conceptualization of collaborative governance field. Professor LI began by highlighting the distinctions between collaboration, co-creation, and co-production in governance practices. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of community development, Professor LI then explored the state-society relationship and the mechanisms underpinning urban and grassroots governance. Using case studies from China, such as community public space management, environmental governance, and emergency response, she summarized several critical conditions and barriers for successful governance across different levels. In concluding the workshop, Professor LI encouraged participants to critically examine how to frame collaborative governance research within local contexts, particularly China's top-down governance structure. She emphasized the importance of carefully adopting appropriate evaluation measures that account for contextual differences. The interactive session sparked thought-provoking discussions on the complexities and nuances involved in designing and implementing effective collaborative governance models. |
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Prof. Tinashe DUNE Western Sydney University Australia |
Professor Tinashe DUNE from the Translational Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University provided an in-depth overview of the mixed research approach, Q methodology. Professor DUNE outlined the key steps involved, including concourse development, item sampling, participant selection, and data collection. Furthermore, Professor DUNE demonstrated the application and factor interpretation of Q methodology across various fields, such as health and social sciences, highlighting its utility in exploring subjective viewpoints. By drawing on illustrative examples, Professor DUNE explained how Q methodology can be employed to address complex research questions. In concluding the session, Professor DUNE discussed the benefits and limitations of Q methodology, emphasizing its effectiveness in capturing the diversity of perspectives on a given topic. Professor DUNE encouraged participants to consider the strategic application of Q methodology in their future research endeavors, underscoring its potential to provide multidimensional perspectives on human experiences and directly engage users in inquiry process. |
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Prof. Tobia FATTORE Macquarie University Australia |
Professor FATTORE from Macquarie School of Social Science at Macquarie University opened the workshop by introducing the philosophical foundations of eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. He then engaged the students in an interactive discussion to explore the diverse approaches to researching quality of life and well-being, including objective, subjective, and standpoint-based approaches. Furthermore, Professor FATTORE highlighted the value of qualitative research and examined the recent developments in the study of children's well-being, both at the epistemological and methodological levels. The participants actively participated in activities that furthered their understanding of the nation-state relation and praxeological perspective while discussing child well-being research. Professor FATTORE then used a research case study to demonstrate how qualitative approaches to the study of children's well-being can uncover new aspects of a phenomenon, and explained why a phenomenon is occurring. In concluding the workshop, Professor FATTORE emphasized the importance of measuring well-being with sensitivity to social change, and the need to keep these measurements transnational in scope. Professor FATTORE also underscored the valuable contributions that qualitative research can make, such as providing theoretical clarity, testing ongoing measures, and introducing new areas for indicator development. |
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Prof. Paulina WONG Lingnan University Hong Kong SAR |
Professor Paulina WONG from the Science Unit at Lingnan University introduced the application of geospatial analytics and big data techniques in addressing complex urban problems. The workshop began by introducing the fundamental concepts of geospatial data and geographic information systems (GIS), showcasing examples from the health and environmental fields. Professor WONG then presented a series of case studies to illustrate the practical applications of GIS and geospatial data. These included tackling traffic-related air pollution, monitoring incense burning emissions, personal/dynamic exposure tracking, route planning for the Standard Chartered Marathon, mapping out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, COVID-19 pandemic monitoring, and facilitating community-based public health initiatives. Professor WONG also provided examples of how GIS is employed in the public sector for healthcare management, such as mobile GIS and dashboard platforms for restricted area testing and whole-genome sequencing of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. Furthermore, Professor WONG introduced the emerging trends in utilizing geospatial data and techniques, delving into the field of geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) and big data applications. This included the discussion of a Smart Intelligent GeoAI Solution to Predict and Tackle Mosquito-borne Diseases in Hong Kong, as well as the integration of AIoT hardware. The workshop concluded with a tutorial session, where participants had the opportunity to explore web-based GIS software and learn how to map and analyze geospatial data independently. Professor WONG encouraged the participants to further investigate the applications of GIS and GeoAI in assessing community needs and neighborhood socioeconomic changes. |
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Dr. Gill MAIN Social Research Collective United Kingdom |
Dr. Gill MAIN from the Social Research Collective led a workshop on mixed methods and participatory research approaches. The session began with an introduction and discussion on the theoretical foundation and values of conducting research that addresses social justice concerns, explaining concepts such as objectivity, pragmatism, and critical realism. She further elaborated on the strengths of mixed methods and their practical application, using an example study on"fair shares and families" to illustrate the order of approaches employed and the skills required in combining data. Moreover, Dr. MAIN introduced the principles of participatory research methods, drawing on a case study from UK poverty research. She emphasized the participatory ideology that incorporates stakeholder involvement across all aspects of understanding and addressing a social problem. The workshop participants then engaged in a discussion on the power dynamics and imbalances that can arise in various research contexts when employing participatory approaches. |
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Prof. Boris CHOY The University of Sydney Australia |
Professor Boris CHOY from the University of Sydney Business School shared insights on statistics and analytics techniques for better decision-making. The workshop began with Professor CHOY highlighting the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data usage. He then led a discussion on the differences and similarities between statistical analysis and data analytics. Various types of statistical and data analysis methods were introduced, accompanied by examples and practical applications. Furthermore, Professor CHOY delved into linear models, generalized linear models, and logistic regression, providing the definitions and mathematical logic behind these techniques. Participants were encouraged to engage in a hands-on practical session, where they could analyze statistics and data themselves. Moreover, the workshop then transitioned to the latest analytical developments, with Professor CHOY introducing the fundamentals of machine learning. He explained how machine learning algorithms work and provided an overview of supervised learning methods for classification. Professor CHOY also highlighted several other machine learning techniques for participants who wished to explore the subject further. |
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Mr. Jeremiah TEO Lingnan University Hong Kong SAR |
Mr. Jeremiah TEO from Lingnan University delivered a workshop focused on connecting and inspiring in today's virtual and social world. The session began with Mr. TEO introducing the definition of charisma. Mr. TEO then explored the concept of self-confidence and how it relates to three prevalent myths surrounding charisma. To help participants build self-confidence, Mr. TEO outlined 5 Empowering Mindsets behind Charisma in Public Speaking. Furthermore, Mr. TEO suggested 7 key confidence hacks through the use of body language. He discussed how participants could leverage nonverbal cues to project a more confident and engaging presence. In the concluding part of the workshop, Mr. TEO invited the participants to present short stories. Others then provided feedback, highlighting the strengths and areas for improvement in their delivery and communication skills. |
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Mr. Ryan WINDSOR Lingnan University Hong Kong SAR |
Mr. Ryan WINDSOR from the Centre for English and Additional Languages at Lingnan University facilitated a workshop on the fundamentals of researching and writing at the postgraduate level. Mr. WINDSOR began with interactive activities that engaged the participants and laid the groundwork for the key topics. Mr. WINDSOR then delved into the distinctive features of English academic writing at the postgraduate level, highlighting the discipline-specific varieties of English encountered in different fields. Participants were introduced to the basic paragraph structure, context-specific lexis, and academic stylistics required for effective postgraduate-level writing. These conceptual explanations were complemented by concrete, detailed examples and hands-on exercises, allowing the attendees to develop a deeper understanding of academic writing conventions. Towards the end of the workshop, Mr. WINDSOR provided guidance on how to utilize academic writing skills more effectively, and introduced the English language support services available at Lingnan University. |
Student Voices
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"I am thrilled to have participated in the summer programme for the first time. The programme's content was incredibly engaging, and it has truly enriched my research perspective. The practical and realistic examples used in the lessons were easy to understand and provided valuable insights, especially in the area of government, which is particularly relevant to my previous work experience in the government sector."
ZHANG Wenzhuo, Lingnan University
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"I appreciate the interactive format of the workshops, which allows for increased engagement between students and professors. Through these workshops, our professors have encouraged us to adopt a new mindset of critical thinking that will prove beneficial in our literature review for research. With a better understanding of the stage and evolution of theories and concepts, we are better equipped to conduct thorough and insightful research."
WANG Yi, Lingnan University
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"I'm thrilled to have joined the Postgraduate Summer School for the first time this year. The workshop provided numerous opportunities for interaction, which I found very engaging. The speakers were instrumental in helping me develop critical thinking skills and expand my knowledge of social management, which will be invaluable in my future research endeavors."
LIANG Ting Hui, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong |
