Featured PhD Graduates
Dr. Henry Ho completed his PhD at the City University of Hong Kong in 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Dannii Yeung. Afterward, he worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong. He subsequently joined the Department of Psychology at the Education University of Hong Kong, where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Ho’s research focuses on understanding how individuals can effectively navigate the demands of work while finding engagement, satisfaction, and thriving in the process.
He has secured funding from the Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund (GRF), the Equal Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Funding Programme of Research Projects and Commissioned Research Projects to investigate workplace mistreatment, workplace discrimination, and work-family conflict. His work has been published in esteemed journals such as Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, Health Psychology, Journal of Happiness Studies, and Journal of Positive Psychology. Dr. Ho has received several prestigious awards, including the APS Rising Star designation by the Association for Psychological Science, Dean’s Research Award and Faculty Teaching Award at the Education University of Hong Kong, and Young Investigator Award at the University of Hong Kong.
Dr. Ho’s profile can be accessed at this link:
https://www.eduhk.hk/pswellbeing/view.php?m=53474&secid=53485
Dr. Jiasheng Huang completed her PhD in 2020 under the supervision of Prof. Nancy Xiaonan Yu. Currently, she serves as an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Sun Yat-sen University. Her major research areas include the promotion of physical and mental health among at-risk populations. Dr. Huang focuses on the intervenable determinants of mental health, particularly through mindfulness constructs such as mindful parenting and self-compassion. She also studies the reciprocal influence between lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being, employing advanced methodologies like psychological networks and machine learning.
Dr. Huang has secured several prestigious research grants, including the National Science Foundation Grant and the Ministry of Education Project of Humanities and Social Science of China. Her work is well-published and recognized in the academic community, with publications in prominent journals including Applied Psychology: Well-being and Health, Midwifery, Mindfulness, and Structural Equation Modeling. Additionally, she contributes to the field as a reviewer for numerous esteemed journals.
For more information on Dr. Huang's research and contributions, please visit her professional page:
https://psy.sysu.edu.cn/teacher/892.
Dr. Xiang LI received her PhD in Social Work in 2013 under the supervision of Professor Annis FUNG Lai Chu. Subsequently, she was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and worked as a research fellow at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, where she continued to expand on her research interests in child development, antisocial behavior, and mental health. Dr. LI is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Applied Social Sciences, PolyU.
To date, she has published more than 30 research articles in SSCI journals within her fields (e.g., Psychological Assessment, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and Development and Psychopathology) and secured a total of around 3 million as a Principal Investigator from multiple research grants (e.g., Early Career Scheme and General Research Fund). As an expert in her field, Dr. Li serves as an Editorial Board member of Child Psychiatry & Human Development and a reviewer for many leading journals (e.g., Computers in Human Behavior and Trauma, Violence, & Abuse). In recognition of her outstanding teaching quality, Dr. LI received the Gold Award (Nurturing Wellbeing & Purpose) in the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards 2021 (as a team member).
For more information about Dr. Li, please visit:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/people/academic-staff/dr-li-xiang/
Dr. Mac Ma completed his PhD in Psychology in 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Sam Ye at City University of Hong Kong. Following his graduation, he held a postdoctoral fellowship studying the effects of disease threats on psychological and behavioral changes. In 2023, Dr. Ma joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a Research Assistant Professor. He leverages his extensive experience in health and social psychology and applied social sciences, focusing on the innovative use of big data and technological applications. His work also explores the impact of societal changes on cultural influences, public health, and social behaviors.
Dr. Ma's research has been published in top-tier journals, including Social Psychological and Personality Science, Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, Computers in Human Behavior, SSM-Population Health, and BMC Public Health. His work provides deep insights into the psychological and behavioral responses to public health challenges and the role of digital behavior in health and social psychology. It has attracted significant funding, including a notable $500,000 grant from the MHRC 3rd Mini-seed Fund Scheme of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Actively engaged academically, he reviews for several scientific journals. Dr. Ma's numerous accolades highlight his impactful contributions to advancing public health and social sciences.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/people/academic-staff/dr-mac-ma/
Prof. Ting Kin Ng completed his PhD in Psychology in 2013 under the supervision of Prof. Sik Hung Ng and Prof. Sam Ye. Following his graduation, he held postdoctoral fellowships at City University of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong, and served as a Research Assistant Professor at Lingnan University. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Lingnan University.
His research interests encompass cross-cultural psychology, social psychology, mental health, and psychometrics. He has published over 50 journal articles indexed in Web of Science and served as an Associate Editor of Current Psychology.
For more in-depth information about his research, please visit:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0kH2d3sAAAAJ&hl
Dr. Diyang QU completed her PhD in Psychology in 2023 under the supervision of Prof. Nancy YU Xiaonan. Following her graduation, she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Tsinghua University, where her research focused on implementing mental health programs in low-resource areas. She has actively conducted research and made significant contributions to the field of health psychology. Dr. QU's research has been supported by prestigious grants, including the 73rd China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project.
Her research findings have been recognized through publication in renowned journals, such as Nature Mental Health, JAMA Network Open, and The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific. Dr. QU has also served as a reviewer for scholarly publications, showcasing her expertise. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Dr. QU has received the prestigious Shuimu Tsinghua Scholar and Vanke Scholar awards from Tsinghua University.
For more detailed information about Dr. QU's research, please visit:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=zh-CN&user=2-0zaaUAAAAJ
Xiaoyu Zhou completed her PhD degree in 2019 from the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong. She was supervised by Prof. Dannii Yeung. During her studies, she was awarded the Fulbright Visiting Student Award, which sponsored her overseas exchange at Ball State University in the United States.
After graduation, she worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, and then took up a Visiting Fellow post in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong. Currently, she is a Lecturer (equivalent to an assistant professor) at the Center for Computational Communication Research at Beijing Normal University Zhuhai campus.
Her research focuses on the impact of emotions on cognition and behavior in interpersonal or social communication. She has published several articles in top-tier SSCI journals as the first author, including Emotion and The Journal of Positive Psychology. She also serves as a reviewer for international journals, such as the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Motivation and Emotion, and Social and Personality Psychology Compass.
Her professional profile can be accessed at the following link:
https://rsgyy.bnu.edu.cn/yjjg/jszbxyjzx/rcdw6/bab39a7dfdee42009252a8ea5ef542d1.html
Current Research Students
Health psychology; Stress adaptation; Psychosomatic medicine
Ms. CHEN Bowen is a PhD candidate in health psychology under the supervision of Prof. YU Xiaonan Nancy. Her research interests have focused on using the biopsychosocial model to examine the long-term effect of the past COVID-19 pandemic, as well as relevant mechanisms at biomedical, psychological, and social levels.
Prior to coming to CityU, Ms. CHEN obtained her Bachelor of Medicine from Sun Yat-sen University in 2021. During her bachelor's study, she gained a deep insight into the population's mental health through her internship in hospitals and CDC and research experiences working with different health professionals. With training in public health, she has interdisciplinary knowledge of medicine and statistics.
Values, self, social relationships, socioecological psychology, residential mobility, inequality
I am a Ph.D. student in social and cultural psychology under the supervision of Dr. Sam Ye since 2022 after I earned my B.Sc. in psychology from Fudan University, China.
I am interested in how macro-level social structural factors (e.g., residential mobility, social hierarchy) impact human psychology, e.g., values, self, and social relationships/networks. My research endeavours to enlighten the mysterious power of social context and help construct a good life and a good society.
I used multilevel analysis, daily dairy, social psychology experiment, and computational social science methods.
The interplay between personal values and everyday affect
My research focus on the interplay between personal values and everyday affect. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the emotions elicited due to the pursuit of different personal values. I am also interested in the change of personal values at both the individual level and aggregated level considering affective experiences.
Neighbourhood services, social capital and mental well-being among Chinese empty-nest older adults
Shuting is currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Social and Behavioural Science at the City University of Hong Kong. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2020 and subsequently pursued her Master's degree in Public Administration with a specialization in mental health promotion at the Renmin University of China, completing her studies in 2022.
During her academic journey, Shuting broadened her perspectives as an exchange student at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. She actively engaged in various social surveys and gained practical experience with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Shuting's doctoral thesis focuses on neighbourhood services, social capital, and mental well-being among Chinese empty-nest older adults. Beyond her specific focus, Shuting is passionate about public mental health promotion for vulnerable populations and advocates for evidence-based interventions within communities.
If you have any inquiries or wish to connect with Shuting, she can be reached at shutindai2-c@my.cityu.edu.hk. Feel free to reach out for further collaboration and discussions.
Objectification and dehumanization, especially sexual objectification; power and social hierarchy
I am Yijia, a PhD student majoring in social psychology. Before joining CityU, I obtained both my bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University.
After exploring a variety of areas in social psychology for several years, I am now interested in two major topics: 1) objectification and dehumanization, especially women’s sexual self-objectification and its antecedents; 2) power and social hierarchy, especially the influence of these structural factors in society on individuals’ self-perceptions, decisions, and even behaviors.
Due to my personal experiences in a patriarchal society, I am extremely interested in women, striving to gain a deeper understanding of this group. I hope that my research can be of some assistance to this vulnerable group in a society that is highly hierarchical and full of glass ceilings for them.
Adolescent well-being
Academic burnout
My research interests lie in the field of educational psychology, specifically the role of parents in affecting students' motivation, emotion and overall well-being. My research has been concentrated on identifying parental factors that contributing to academic burnout among Chinese middle-schoolers, as well as some possible interventions on alleviating high levels of academic burnout and stress.
I am supervised by Dr. Anna Hui, please reach out to me at xueninfan2-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.
Health psychology
Chronic illness management
Meta-analysis
Dynamic structural equation modelling
I am interested in dyadic illness management in couples in which one member lives with chronic illness and adopted meta-analysis, cross-sectional, and intensive longitudinal design for this topic. Also, I am interested in applying advanced and complex statistical models at the dyadic level (e.g., dynamic structural equation modelling) for my research interests.
Emotion-Focused Intervention
Reducing Aggression Among Preschool Children
Emotional Competence
Parental Emotion Socialisation
As a counselling psychologist actively involved in both clinical practice and research, my research focus lies in exploring emotion-focused interventions to reduce aggression among preschool children. Through my research, I aim to develop strategies prioritising emotional competence and social-emotional learning, tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of young children. Along with this, I am deeply interested in parental emotion socialisation, seeking ways to empower parents with the knowledge and skills to foster emotional competence in their children. Ultimately, I am driven to contribute to the advancement of my field and enhance the well-being of young children and their families through evidence-based practices and innovative approaches.
A Recursive Process Model: Trusting Relationship on Drug Sales and Purchases from Online and Offline Perspectives
Kan Wan Sang is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree at the City University of Hong Kong. His research interests include Trust, Digital/Online Sociology, and Criminology, with a focus on topics such as online social capital, drug trafficking, and peer-to-peer (P2P) fraud. He possesses a strong proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Additionally, he has actively engaged in various academic activities, including attending academic conferences and authoring scholarly papers.
Human-Machine Interaction
Hello! My name is Larry KOU Yilin (Chinese: 寇翼麟). I am a Ph.D. student at CityU under the supervision of Prof. Nancy YU Xiaonan in Psychology and Prof. Wang Jianping in Computer Science. My research is centered on human–machine interactions, with a particular emphasis on autonomous vehicles. At present, I am exploring strategies to enhance cooperative interactions between human–driven vehicles and autonomous vehicles, employing a combination of survey, behavioral experiment, and simulation. Prior to my time at CityU, I was a MPhil student at Beijing Normal University, concentrating on human motivation and terror management theory.
Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among young migrants
Mr. Li is a certified hypnotherapist and narrative practitioner. He purses mental health research after graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Master degree of Social Work. His current research interests include stigma, mental health service utilization and help-seeking behaviours, recovery from serious mental Illness and social work intervention.
Retirement planning among the sandwich generation
LIN Jiahui (Gloria LIN) is a research student at the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. She obtained a master’s degree in Operational Research and Business Statistics from Hong Kong Baptist University and a master’s degree in Psychology from City University of Hong Kong. Her current research is on retirement planning among the sandwich generation.
Study on social-psychological factors related to pro-tree conservation intention and behaviours
Mr So is a part-time student studying social-psychological factors related to pro-tree conservation intention and behaviours. Mr So is the chief executive of the Conservancy Association, an environmental NGO advocating tree conservation in Hong Kong since 1968. He has worked in arboriculture and landscape management for over 24 years. He has worked proactively on developing arboriculture training for the government and academic institutes since 2005. He is an adjunct associate professor at the School of Biological Science of HKU and the founder of the Advanced Diploma on Tree Management and Conservation of HKU SPACE. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the HKU SPACE in 2021. Mr So is the expert under HKCAAVQ and has been appointed member of different tree management and industry development advisory bodies under the Development Bureau, Education Bureau, and the academic sector.
Adolescent Mental Health
Family and Children
Positive Psychology and Intervention
Mindfulness
I graduated from the University of California, Davis (UCD), armed with a double major in Psychology and International Relations. This was complemented by an enriching special education internship in the United States, where I dedicated my efforts to making a difference in the lives of others.
The quest for deeper knowledge led me to the Nanyang Technological University(NTU) in Singapore for my graduate studies, where I specialized in Developmental Psychology. This experience not only broadened my academic horizons but also enriched my understanding of the human psyche.
Post-graduation, my path took me to Beijing, where I embraced the role of a psychology teacher at an international school. There, I applied my skills and insights to guide and support young minds through their developmental journeys.
Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral degree , driven by a passion to pioneer in mental health research. My goal is to harness a more specialized scientific perspective, aiming to contribute significantly to the well-being and positive development of young people in China.
Immigrant mental health, depression, parent-child relationships
I was an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at CityU. Now, I continue to embark on my research journey in health psychology at CityU under Prof. Nancy Yu’s supervision.
Currently, I am working on a community-based project to facilitate family harmony among New Arrivals in Hong Kong. I hope our research can benefit the participants and contribute to the field. I can’t wait to explore different possibilities on this journey!
Health psychology; self-management of chronic illness; dyadic coping
I am a PhD candidate under the supervision of Prof. YU Xiaonan Nancy. My research interests include illness self-management, coping, cognitive functions, and psychological well-being in children and adolescents living with chronic illnesses. Taking a dyadic perspective, my research examines the interactions between pediatric patients and their caregivers through the illness-coping process. Additionally, I am interested in developing and evaluating intervention programs that aim to improve self-management behaviors, health outcomes, and overall quality of life for this population. Currently, my research focuses on family illness management and HAART adherence among HIV-positive children and adolescents.
Child and adolescent well-being
Positive education
Parenting and family
Ms. Xie is a PhD candidate supervised by Professor Sylvia Kwok. Her research focuses on parenting practices and influences on children’s emotional and social well-being. She is also interested in societal and familial factors contributing to parenting practices. Besides, she has engaged in the projects and is doing research on positive education and students’ learning motivation. Before pursuing her PhD, she obtained her Master of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong and had been working for youth in NGOs and universities in Hong Kong.
Suicide, Resilience, & Social media platform
Research Focus:
• Incorporate the concept of resilience into suicide research by examining effective resilience factors against suicide-related outcomes.
• Investigate prevalence and pattern of suicide risk in online social media platform (e.g., r/SuicideWatch subreddit), specifically focusing on its time-varying nature and linguistic features from posts.
• Utilizes meta-analysis, growth-based trajectory modelling, and time-varying effect modelling to address related research questions.
Education:
• 2017-2019 Central China Normal University, Geography, BS
• 2019-2022 Central China Normal University, Psychology, BS
• 2022-Present City University of Hong Kong, Psychology, Ph.D. candidate
Objectification, Social cognition, Career development
ZHANG Jingyu is currently a PhD student in social psychology supervised by Prof. WANG Xijing. She received her BS in Psychology from Nanjing University, China. Her research is focused on three main directions: 1) identifying experienced objectification from social structure and education system, 2) examining the downstream effects of self-objectification on goal pursuit and personal growth, and 3) unpacking different dimensions of sexual objectification perpetration. Quantitative methods such as surveys, laboratory and online experiments are predominantly used in her research.
Doctoral Candidates Seeking Academic Appointments
(1) neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive functions,
(2) neuromodulation
CHEN Xueli is a Joint PhD candidate with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. CHEN Xueli focuses on the following two research topics: (1) using electroencephalography (EEG) to explore the neural mechanisms underlying various cognitive functions (e.g., working memory, self-control); (2) utilizing non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, such as transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating-current stimulation (tACS), to modulate neural activity and cognitive functions. In addition, she also seeks to develop new stimulation techniques. She and her colleagues have developed a closed-loop real-time phase-locking tACS system to improve the reliability of tACS effects. In future, she wants to get expertise in the field of neuromodulation for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Workplace Bullying in Hong Kong — An Exploratory Study on the Cultural and Organizational Influences on its prevalence: Implications towards a Confucius Asian context
Elaine is a research student currently under the supervision of Professor Dennis Wong, at the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Arts (English) double degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia; and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English from the University of Hong Kong; and Master of Social Sciences in Counselling from the City University of Hong Kong. Her research interests are bullying and workplace violence, as well as mental wellbeing. Her current research is an exploratory study on the cultural and organizational influences on the emergence and continuation of workplace bullying in Hong Kong.
A Mixed-Methods Approach to Couple Resilience in Chinese HIV Serodiscordant Same-Sex Male Couples
Ms. FU Rong’s research in Health Psychology at the City University of Hong Kong focuses distinctly on the resilience and health dynamics in HIV serodiscordant same-sex male couples in China. Her application of mixed methods allows her to delve deeply into these complex topics from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives, enriching the academic discourse in health psychology.
With her extensive background in community engagement and HIV prevention, Ms. FU’s research is not only academically rigorous but also grounded in real-world applicability. Her significant contribution as first author in four SCI-indexed journal articles reflects her passion for exploring underrepresented areas in health psychology, particularly LGBT health, women’s health, and the nuances of stigma and intersectionality in healthcare.
As an ad hoc reviewer for notable journals like AIDS and Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and BMC Infectious Disease, Ms. FU stays abreast of current research trends, which informs and enriches her own work. Her commitment to her field is evidenced by her continuous engagement with the academic community and her pursuit of research that bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical health interventions.
Social Inequality, Stratification, and Mobility;
Social Class;
Political Attitudes;
Urban Studies;
Quantitative Research
Ms. GU is currently in the final stage of her Ph.D. journey in the Applied Sociology Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong.
Her research focuses on social inequality and social class. Her current working papers focus on stratified consequences, including mental health, political attitudes, and lifestyles. She is experienced in using quantitative methods.
Her publications can be seen in Chinese Sociological Review, Chinese Journal of Sociology, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, etc. Besides, she has several large survey experiences conducted in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.
She is a confident teacher in classroom and able to transform complex information to the audience. Her teaching experience includes Basic Sociology, Research Methods in Social Science, Complex Organization, etc.
She is now searching for job opportunities in sociology, social policy, public administration, etc. Any interests or communication can be contacted through email.
Guan Xin’s doctoral research focuses on the concept of restrictive deterrence in drug trafficking activities. Specifically, she has been investigating the deterrent effect of drug offenses in Mainland China, with an emphasis on understanding the structure of crime strategies and their impact on the deterrent effect. Through her research, she has developed a dedicated scale for measuring the perceived efficacy of crime strategies, tailored specifically to drug offenses. This research involved conducting questionnaire surveys and applying statistical modelling and analysis techniques.
Guan Xin is an scholar with a academic research in the field of restrictive deterrence. With four published papers to her credit—three of which list Guan Xin as the first author—she has made contributions to the field. Additionally, Guan Xin is actively pursuing her research area and currently has two papers in progress, both related to restrictive deterrence.
Adept in the intricacies of data acquisition, cleaning, and analysis, Guan Xin's technical proficiency spans several programming languages, notably R and Python. Her expertise extends to the customization of R packages, web scraping, and the application of sophisticated natural language processing techniques, all of which have been instrumental in advancing her research endeavors.
Guan Xin has also applied her analytical skills to a range of social science research projects. Her role in these projects has been multifaceted, encompassing data analysis, literature review, and the synthesis of results. These projects have addressed a spectrum of societal issues, including the psychology of drug abuse, the dynamics of prisoner violence, youth development, the provision of caregiver support, career facilitation for minority groups, and the optimization of online education systems.
In reflecting on her personal attributes, Guan Xin is best characterized by her analytical nature, disciplined work ethic, and unwavering determination. These qualities have been honed throughout her academic career and inform her meticulous approach to research and life.
Guan Xin's diverse academic background and notable research achievements underscore her adaptability, resilience, and commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry.
Mental Health, Emotion Regulation, Resilience-Based Intervention
Hu Jinghan is a fifth-year PhD candidate in psychology, expected to graduate in the summer of 2024. Her research focuses on the positive psychological adaptation of newly arrived mother–child dyads from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong, examining the intergenerational interaction of resilience between newly arrived mothers and their children. She specializes in designing various psychological interventions based on different theoretical models, such as resilience-based and emotion regulation-based interventions. Her research evaluates the effectiveness of psychological interventions, investigates intervention mechanisms, and identify the target populations for which the interventions are effective.
A grounded theory study into coping and well-being among heterosexual male victims of intimate partner violence
Stanley is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. His research focus includes health psychology, family violence, child abuse and protection, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), youth and men's health, migrant well-being, public health, and social work. His doctoral thesis focuses on intimate partner violence against men using grounded theory methodology. In his research, he often uses qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
Stanley has published about eleven decent papers in top journals and is open to collaborations in these areas. He has also served as reviewer for notable journals as well as engaged in several community volunteering work. Stanley has also attended about two international conferences over the course of the PhD study.
As Stanley is expected to graduate in August, he is open to postdoctoral and faculty positions. Stanley has three years of teaching undergraduate courses like “youth in a changing society” with topics like cyberbullying, social media and online gaming addiction, online dating, labelling and deviant behaviors, NEET youths, volunteerism and civic responsibility, changing sexual practices among others. and four years combined of other departmental duties like grading, supervision, and lab duties.
Social indicators & psychometrics
Positive youth development & Positive education.
Mental health: suicide, anxiety, depression
Problematic interactive social media use
Since 2020, Yumei Li has been pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work and Positive Psychology at City University of Hong Kong. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Sociology with a specialization in Social Psychology from Wuhan University. Her research focuses on assessment-based behavioral and psychological domains, including psychological measurement, mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, suicide), problematic interactive media use behavior, and positive youth development.
Skilled in various quantitative analysis methods, Li endeavours to reveal potential developmental mechanisms across diverse psychological and behavioral domains. Her goal is to design and implement evidence-based intervention programs at both individual and systemic levels, with a specific emphasis on helping people, particularly children and adolescents, reduce psychological distress and behavioral problems, promoting well-being.
As of December 2023, Yumei Li has served as the lead/corresponding author for 7 papers published in high-impact international refereed journals, collaborated as the co-first author on 2 papers, and contributed as a co-author to 9 papers. Additionally, she has served as a reviewer for 13 SSCI journals and actively participated in 6 international academic conferences.
Organizational behavior
Organizational citizenship
Organizational management
I got a master's degree in economics from CityU and later had two RA experiences. Now studying for a PhD at CityU, my main research interests revolve around organizational studies and family economics.
My research interests encompass aging and social gerontology, particularly focusing on the dyadic relationship between grandparents and parents in their caregiving role for grandchildren within a Chinese cultural context. I have engaged in research on stroke patients' recovery, wisdom in older individuals, narrative therapy, and metaphor development, etc. Additionally, I am interested in exploring areas such as dementia and aging-related technology.
I am Liao Xu, a final-year doctoral student in Social Work in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong. My academic journey has been driven by a profound curiosity for analyzing social issues and phenomena, along with a strong passion for contributing to the helping profession.
As an undergraduate at Central China Normal University, I chose sociology as my major to delve into relevant theories. Upon graduation I pursued a Master of Social Work at Columbia University. As a licensed social worker, I gained valuable experience in diverse settings, such as a care manager for older individuals in long-term healthcare system. This experience solidified my research interests in social gerontology, family dynamics, and the intersection of assistive technologies with aging populations, etc.
My current career goal is to find opportunities to advance research in these areas while further honing my skills in both research and teaching. I describe myself as a curious and self-driven individual, a quick learner, and a dedicated team player. If you have any further questions about my background or research, please feel free to email me at xuliao2-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.
Narrative communication
Narrative co-construction
Healthcare communication
Shared decision making
Organizational communication
Leadership
Medical Sociology
Power and agency
Weiwei Lu is a passionate narrative practitioner and therapist. After she graduated from the master's program of narrative therapy and community work at the University of Melbourne, she joined the social and behavioural sciences department to continue her theoretical investigation in narrative research in the context of communication.
Her Ph.D. thesis investigates the interplays among narrative, power, and agency in transformative communications from a relational perspective. Her empirical research lands on narrative communication, healthcare communication, and organizational communication. Her thesis aims to develop a narrative-based model of shared decision making on cancer treatment.
She has presented her research projects in diverse international conferences on communication in healthcare and organization (ICCH, COMET, ISDM, ABC, ICA) and received extensive acknowledgements. She is currently a committee member of early career researchers’ group in the International Shared Decision Making Society (ISDMS). She is also co-chairing the Asia Network of Shared Decision Making research (https://www.isdmsociety.org/special-interest-groups-asia-network/).
legitimacy, legal consciousness, legal mobilization, legal socialization, social capital
My research interests revolve around criminology and legal sociology, with a specific focus on utilizing diverse methods and theories to examine legal socialization. I am particularly enthusiastic about applying theories from these fields to investigate and enhance the criminal justice system and the broader legal system. I am familiar with a broad range of research methods, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
For my PhD thesis, I am studying Identity Theft in College Admission, which represents the first empirical study of this crucial offense. My research explores the perspectives of both offenders (their modus operandi) and victims (their pursuit of legal recourse and compensation).
I hold an M.A. in sociology of education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. degree in education from Beijing Normal University.
Family Studies; Gender Inequality; Social Stratification
2020-, City University of Hong Kong, Applied Sociology
2016-2017, New York University, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
2012-2016, Nanjing Normal University, Sociology
Currently, Xu Chi focuses on the evolvement of family intergenerational relationship and its consequences on gender (in)equality and social stratification.
Social Enterprise
People with Disabilities
Workplace Inclusion
CSR/ESG/D&I
My PhD research focuses on the role of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) in fostering workplace inclusion for employees with disabilities. Throughout my academic journey, I have gained extensive experience in qualitative research methods (such as interview and ethnographic participant observation) and have developed proficiency in utilizing NVivo for thematic analysis. I have also participated in various projects using quantitative methods and am familiar with SPSS. With a firm belief in the principle of "leave no one behind," I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups. By combining my academic pursuits and real-world experience, I aim to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations to create inclusive and sustainable society.
Practical and Theoretical Exploration of Using Filmmaking as A Therapeutic Intervention to Reduce Aggression in Children and Adolescents.
I am a psychological counselor and scientific researcher. I am equipped with extensive training in psychological counseling, spanning individual and family counseling, dedicated to aiding individuals grappling with psychological distress. Simultaneously, I channel my attention and skills into scientific research, focusing on the mental health and psychological development of children, adolescents, and young adults. My research contributions encompass the publication of several SSCI papers and authorship of chapters in relevant books. In addition, I have been an anonymous reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Current Psychology, and BMC Psychiatry. My doctoral thesis delves into a practical and theoretical study of employing filmmaking to mitigate aggression in children and adolescents. The comprehensive study, spanning over three years, presents an aggression-reducing intervention applicable in educational institutions, communities, and institutions catering to young people with aggressive issues. My commitment remains steadfast in supporting the vulnerable group in life.
HKPFS Students
Achievement Emotions
Socioemotional Development
Positive Psychology
Educational Psychology
Second Language Acquisition
Nan CHEN is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at City University of Hong Kong, under the supervision of Dr. Na Na (Anna) Hui. She obtained her BA in English Language Literature and Teaching from Sun Yat-sen University and her MA in TESOL from University College London. Her research interests encompass achievement emotions, socioemotional learning, positive psychology, and second language acquisition. Since Year 2, she has been teaching courses on Psychology for Young Professionals and Psychology Research Design and Analysis. Additionally, Nan Chen is a certified life coach accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). In her spare time, she volunteers to conduct workshops on intrinsic motivation, meditation, and career development for teenagers and adults. For further inquiries, she can be reached at nchen29-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.
Positive education
Social and emotional learning (SEL)
Emotional skills, including emotion regulation and emotional stability
Mental health and wellbeing
I pursued my Bachelor's and first Master's degrees in electronic engineering before realizing the significance of cultivating social and emotional skills. This realization led me to transition into the field of student wellbeing, where I obtained another master's degree in education. Currently, I am a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. KWOK LAI Yuk Ching Sylvia in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. My primary research interests revolve around positive education programs (PEPs) and emotional skills, exploring their impact on students' mental health and overall wellbeing. My ultimate aspiration is to offer valuable insights into designing and implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula tailored to the needs of Chinese students, fostering their positive growth. If you share an interest in these fields, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at xinyidu9-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.
Human decision-making and learning
I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Zhejiang University, China and my master's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience (specialization in neural computation and neurotechnology) from Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour at Radboud University, the Netherlands. My research interest lies in the intersection of computational neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience. I am especially interested in how humans learn and make decisions in uncertain, complex environments, which can be formalized in the theoretical framework of reinforcement learning. Currently, I use behavioural paradigms, computational cognitive modelling and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI/EEG) to understand the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying human decision-making and learning.
Language processing and production
Prior to joining the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong, I completed a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Klagenfurt (Austria) and the KU Leuven (Belgium) respectively.
During my Bachelor's studies, I developed a keen interest in quantitative methods and cognitive psychology. I expanded my academic experience by working as a tutor for Statistics and later joined the Department of Cognitive Psychology as a research assistant. Through my studies and research internships during my Master's program, I further enhanced my knowledge in these topics.
My current research interests include the processing, planning and production of language. I am interested in applying both behavioural and neuroscientific methods to study the underlying mechanisms.
Conceptualization of flourishing and languishing in college students using a longitudinal approach
SUN Chaoran is a Ph.D. candidate in the Social Science Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Prof. Sylvia Kwok. She is interested in the psychosocial mechanism of psychopathology and flourishing. Her current research explores the individual and ecological mechanism of flourishing and languishing and the influence of the Microsystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem. She is also interested in leveraging computational strategies to conceptualize and predict long-term mental disorder onset and flourishing. Before joining CityU, Chaoran was a social-emotional counselor working with adolescents. She finished her counseling master's degree at UPenn and her psychology bachelor’s degree at Nankai University. Aside from research, Chaoran enjoys attending conferences, traveling, networking, and exploring new things.