School of Humanities and Social Science at HKUST

Congratulations to Dr. Chen Mian, RGC Junior Research Fellow, on receiving Northwestern University’s prestigious Harold Perkin Prize. His dissertation, “China’s Propaganda Complex: Communist Propagandists and the Making of Modern China (1921–1965)", exemplifies outstanding historical scholarship, combining analytical rigour and compelling narrative. This recognition underscores the significance of his contribution to modern Chinese historical studies and enduring impact globally.

We are proud to share that Professor James Edward Barbour Simpson served as Editor of Volume 7 (Applied Linguistics) of Elsevier’s Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. This three-year project features 69 chapters, including his co-authored work on language education for adult migrants, as well as two additional chapters independently contributed by HKUST colleagues Siyang Yolanda Zhou and Sean McMinn.

The 14-volume encyclopedia is the most comprehensive global reference in linguistics, with nearly 3,000 chapters in its previous edition. The new edition introduces cutting-edge topics, expanded multimedia, and a modernized structure, reaffirming its role as an essential resource for scholars and professionals worldwide.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/referencework/9780443222863/international-encyclopedia-of-language-and-linguistics -description

Proud to highlight our professor, Dennis Tay’s involvement in two chapters of a book: Machine Learning and Healthcare Discourse Research: Sample Applications and Metaphor and Stigma Communication in Chinese Video PSAs for Autism: Insights from Association Rule Mining. These contributions explore how language, health communication, and data-driven methods can help address real-world health issues.

The volume advances language and health studies by examining communication in practice across scientific, institutional, and community settings. Using methods such as corpus analysis, multimodal approaches, and machine learning, it addresses inclusivity and inequalities, offering cross-cultural case studies and practical strategies to support more equitable and effective healthcare communication worldwide.

Reference: https://www.routledge.com/Inclusive-Healthcare-Communication-in-Action-Healthcare-Language-and-Inclusivity-Volume-2/Kondo-Vilar-Lluch-Tsimpiri-Zhou-Musolff/p/book/9781032813813

Prof. James Edward Barbour SIMPSON recently published article in Multilingua！

This paper, titled “Belonging and collaborative language-and-arts research with forced migrants in Hong Kong", examining an arts-based project on belonging among South Asian migrants in Hong Kong. Using workshops, photography, and digital storytelling with five women, it analyzes interaction, space, and narrative construction. Findings show creative practice fosters dialogue, challenges fixed identities, and reveals how spaces enable meaning-making around settlement and displacement.

Reference: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/multi-2025-0188/html

Professor Ang Yu's paper with Professor Felix Elwert in Annals of Applied Statistics: "Nonparametric causal decomposition of group disparities" received the Outstanding Publication Award from the Methodology Section of the American Sociological Association.

This paper presents a new nonparametric causal framework for understanding group-based outcome disparities. It highlights three key drivers: differences in treatment prevalence, variation in average treatment effects, and a newly identified factor—differential selection into treatment. The approach is illustrated through an analysis of how college graduation influences intergenerational income outcomes.

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1214/24-AOAS1990

Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN was interviewed by CGTN Europe about demographic changes.

He argues that Japan's low fertility is driven by deep structural factors, including rigid gender roles, high living and education costs, and intense work cultures. He suggests shifting the focus from fertility rates to supporting the existing population through health initiatives, technological innovation, and a robust "silver economy".

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4c7OjmGeEI

📣 Conference "Western Democracy: The End of the Golden Age?" by Yves Sintomer - 4/07/2024 (On site & Online zoom)
Right after the European elections and in the midst of a tense political climate in France, the French political scientist Yves Sintomer will hold a conference at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST, questioning the challenges of the current Western political system.
➡ Pitch:
During a couple of decades following World War II, the Western democracy model was stable and had a strong legitimacy. In the 2020’s, the situation has radically changed both in the Global South and in the Global North. Mass political parties are less important and seem unable to represent a credible channel between citizens and rulers, when right-wing populism is on the rise.
In this situation, what are the political innovations actually discussed or experienced that could provide solutions to the crisis? What are the potential scenarios for the next future?
🙋‍♂️ Subscribe and join us: https://www.cefc.com.hk/.../western-democracy-the-end-of.../

HKUST Musical! 2021 - Wonderful Town
Featuring HKUST students, staff, and alumni

Presented by the School of Humanities and Social Science, the HKUST Musical! is one of the most important events for passionate music and drama lovers in the HKUST community. Every year HKUST produces one Broadway musical through the concerted effort of HKUST students, staff and alumni, strengthening the bonds between members of the HKUST Community through the transformative power of the creative arts.

Date and time:
17.09.2021 (Fri) – 8 PM
18.09.2021 (Sat) – 2PM & 8PM
Venue: The Box, Freespace, Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District
Language: English with Chinese subtitles
Tickets: $250 / 200*^
Online Booking: www.westkowloon.hk
Telephone Booking: +852 2200 0022
For details: https://musical.hkust.edu.hk/

*Tickets available from 21 August 2021 via online and telephone booking as well as at the Xiqu Centre and Freespace Ticket Office, also available from 22 August 2021 at selected Tom Lee Outlets (Shatin and Yuen Long) & The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. There are no handling fees for all the said ticketing channels.
^ Half-price tickets available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and a minder and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients.

50% OFF - limited time only!
Get 50% off on tickets by using promo code “MUSICAL50”, offer ends on 6 Sep 2021.

About “Wonderful Town”

Produced by
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Book by
Joseph Fields, Jerome Chodorov

Based on "My Sister Eileen" by
Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov and the stories by Ruth McKenny

Music by
Leonard Bernstein

Lyrics by
Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Artistic Team:
Director / Choreographer: Mandy Petty
Music Director: Isaac Droscha
Ruth Sherwood: Samantha Lam, Victoria Deng, Anjali Kanthan
Eileen Sherwood: Belinda Carverhill, Grace Luk, Chui Maan Wang, Eva
Bob Baker: Ian Chong, Aragorn de la Cruz
Wreck: Lorenzo Wan, Alvin Chow

Synopsis
Winner of numerous Tony Awards and featuring thrilling musical numbers by composer Leonard Bernstein (Westside Story), this is the New York musical. In the summer of 1935, two sisters from rural America head to the big apple to take a shot at their dreams. Ruth, a talented writer, and Eileen, an actress, quickly find out that life in the big city isn’t what they imagined. No money, a suspicious looking basement apartment in Greenwich Village, and taking whatever jobs they must to make ends meet, they chase their dreams, meet strange and interesting neighbors, and eventually fall in love.

Enquiries: Ms Angi Law: [email protected] / 34692204