Young Scholars in Cross-Disciplinary Research: Highlights from the Honours Academy 4th Symposium

On 29 April 2025, the Honours Academy (HA) hosted its 4th Symposium — a celebration of the interdisciplinary, policy-driven research conducted by senior HA students as part of the HA4001 Senior Research Project. This event marked the exciting completion of a year-long journey in independent exploration, critical inquiry, and academic discovery.

The projects showcased at the Symposium exemplify HA’s commitment to connecting academic research with pressing societal challenges. This year’s nine student projects addressed a wide range of timely and important themes — from enhancing public transportation efficiency, to exploring how creativity can improve mental health and community engagement, to examining the intersections of culture, technology, and urban development.

The event began with inspiring opening remarks from Professor Jeanne Fu, Vice President (Learning and Student Experience) at HSUHK and Founding Head of HA. She encouraged the young researchers to think about how their findings can contribute to decision-making, influence policy, improve systems, and ultimately enhance lives.

A distinguished judging panel, comprising Professor Fu, Professor Chan Wai-sum, Dean of the School of Decision Sciences, and Dr Wong Muk-yan, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Science, assessed the presentations and selected the winners for the “Best Individual Presenter”” and “Best Group Presenters” awards.

During the Symposium, attendees were captivated by the HA students’ profound knowledge and innovative thinking. Engaging Q&A sessions followed each presentation, where judges, HA Academic Fellows, HA4001 Supervisors and faculty members actively posed thoughtful questions and offered insights that further enriched the discussion.

After thorough deliberation, the judging panel awarded the “Best Individual Presenter” to Robert Chan for his data-driven study on estimating bus queue times, offering insights into how buses impact delays at stops by blocking each other. The “Best Group Presenters” award went to Ocean Ng and Rachael Yip whose research examined how governments can subtly shape personal lifestyles while promoting civic virtues — a creative and thought-provoking study in behavioral influence and public policy.

As the HA Symposium came to a close, Dr Holly Chung, Head of HA, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the eight HA4001 supervisors. She acknowledged their unwavering support, mentorship, and dedication — all of which were instrumental in guiding students toward research excellence and meaningful impact.

The 2025 HA Symposium not only showcased outstanding student research, but also reaffirmed HA’s commitment to cultivating socially engaged, intellectually curious leaders ready to make a difference in the world.