RESEARCH PROJECT
Applications for 2027/28 SS Master’s Programmes and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme
Our Master’s Programmes and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme are now open for application:
o Master of Arts in Applied Social Sciences (MAASS)
• Sociology Stream
• Criminology Stream
• Clinical Mental Health Practice Stream
o Master of Social Sciences in Counselling (MSSC)
o Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (MSSPSY)
o Master of Social Work (MSW)
o Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
CityUHK research drives preschool SEN assessment waiting time to zero
Professor Anna Hui Nana, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at CityUHK, has led an interdisciplinary team whose 10 years of research reshaped Hong Kong's preschool SEN policy.
Her studies prompted the regularisation of On-Site Preschool Rehabilitation Services, and her Child Observation Checklist is now used in 883 kindergartens. Assessment waiting times have fallen from 16.6 months to zero.
IncluCity Programme: Empowering Students to Learn Inclusion
This summer, SS organised a variety of activities for students from different disciplines to learn more about Special Educational Needs (SEN) and inclusion. These included an SEN Talk in June, visits to the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service in July, volunteer service with the Hong Chi Association in July, and a visit to The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong’s CHILL Lab in August.
Training Workshop About Providing Support to Tai Po Fire Survivors Successfully Held
The training workshop “Challenges Faced by Survivors of the Tai Po Fire and How to Provide Appropriate Psychological Support”, co-organized by the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS), CityUHK and Life Inhering Association for Family Heartfelt Reconnecting Co., Ltd., successfully concluded in January, with more than 80 participants attending!
Through guided discussions and interactive activities led by our facilitators, participants explored ways to better understand survivors’ needs and provide appropriate support. A day filled with learning, reflection, inspiration, and hope.
Join SS Upcoming Workshop and Information Seminar for Master of Arts in Applied Social Sciences (MAASS): Clinical Mental Health Practice Stream
We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Workshop and Information Seminar for the Academic Year 2026/27, organized by our MAASS Clinical Mental Health Practice Stream. We would like to extend this opportunity for you and your colleagues to learn more about the design and details of the programmes offered and cordially invite you to attend the workshop to be held on 10 January 2026.
Congratulations to Our HKPFS Recipients for 2025 Entry
We are delighted to welcome five talented PhD students who have joined our Department this year through the highly prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS).
Congratulations to Our SS Colleagues Named Among the World’s Top 2% Scientists 2025
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Professor Nancy Yu, Professor Sylvia Kwok, and Professor Simon Fung, who have been named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists 2025 published by Stanford University. This prestigious list is compiled by a research team at Stanford, using data from Scopus, the world’s largest abstract and citation database. It evaluates scientists across 22 academic disciplines and 174 subfields, recognizing those whose research impact ranks among the top 2% globally.
Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
The Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) aims to offer CityUHK undergraduate students a unique opportunity to participate in entrepreneurial activities in industrial settings or business organisations at top start-up locations in Mainland China and/or overseas countries. Students will be placed into a company or organisation for full-time attachment or internship during the academic terms. Through STEP, students can gain valuable hands-on experience, practical understanding, and exposure to diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems across the globe. They acquire insights into running a tech start-up, including fundraising, marketing, operation, product development, etc. and understand the various issues involved in developing a viable venture. STEP offers students exposure to the forefront of technologies and innovative business models, and integrate classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
International Symposium on Digital Fraud Prevention and Detection Successfully Held on 18 September
The International Symposium on Digital Fraud Prevention and Detection hosted by The Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences was successfully held on 18 September 2025, bringing together experts, professionals, and stakeholders from across sectors to address the growing challenges of digital fraud in today's interconnected world. The event attracted around 100 distinguished guests, including cybersecurity specialists, financial analysts, law enforcement representatives, and academic researchers.
Newly arrived adolescents from the mainland visited our department and participated in psychology-related activities
Over 40 newly arrived adolescents from the mainland visited us on 17 July 2025. Professor Nancy Yu and Professor Xijing Wang offered them introductions to our psychology courses, and Ms. Eudora Chan shared with them various student activities organized by our department.
The British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) 2025
A group of 15 senior students from our Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences attended the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) 2025 as oral and poster presenters in Newcastle, UK. They also took part in an academic visit to University College London and other cultural visits in London. Joining the largest conference dedicated to showcasing undergraduate research in the UK, our participating students found the conference experience valuable for their academic learning and personal development. Students acknowledged that their participation in overseas academic conference was valuable to take part as a presenter to share their research findings with other international students and professors. Overall, this was an eye-opening experience for students to enhance their academic skills and international connections with researchers.
CityUHK SS Student Research and Impact Forum 2025
11 students from the SS Department participated in the CityUHK Student Research and Impact Forum 2025 on 14 May 2025, to present their final year project and on-going research work in a poster presentation session. Our presenters come from different academic disciplines including Criminology and Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, which made the Forum greatly diverse and vital. During the two-hour poster session, our student presenters enjoyed the time interacting with our staff and faculty members. The Forum was fueled with dynamic and fruitful discussions and idea exchanges. It was an unforgettable experience to showcase the accomplishments our students have proudly attained over the past few years and to equip them for an exciting new chapter moving forward after graduation!
Introducing BSocSc Crime Science at CityUHK
Hong Kong’s first and only UGC-funded degree in Crime Science is accepting admissions for Semester A 2025. Our new programme supports practical solutions to current and emerging crime problems, as well as training a new generation of law enforcement and security professionals in crime prevention, security practices, global policing, crime analytics and cyber & future crimes. See more information in the link below.
Introducing a New Stream of Master of Arts in Applied Social Sciences (MAASS): Clinical Mental Health Practice
Mental health issues in Hong Kong have become a pressing societal concern. Rising levels of stress and anxiety across most demographics have led to alarming outcomes such as suicide among the youth and the older adults, as well as widespread emotional strain on caregivers and professionals. To address these pressing issues, the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at CityUHK has introduced a new stream, "Clinical Mental Health Practice," within the Master of Arts in Applied Social Sciences (MAASS) programme. This stream is designed to provide social work practitioners, helping professionals, and staff with advanced-level training in clinical mental health practice, equipping them to better support individuals and communities in navigating mental health challenges in Hong Kong.equipping them to better support individuals and communities in navigating mental health challenges in Hong Kong.
A Hundred of SS Social Work alumni, faculty members and students warmly reunited at the Homecoming Lunch on 2 Nov 2024
Youth Mental Health Forum
A youth forum on mental health was held on 14 October 2023 by Professor Sylvia Kwok, Associate Head of the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong. The forum is part of a “Children and Youth Mental Health Project” in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Work of the University of Calgary, Canada.
Supporting caregivers with evidence-based tools and programs
CityU team developed the scientific Caregiver Support Model (CSM) and Psycho-education Program on Empowerment (PPE) for caregivers of frail older adults. Project 2.0 aims to disseminate validated tools and practices to social workers and NGOs.
