Previous Award Recipients (Faculty Award 2022)
Dr. CHOW-QUESADA Shun Man Emily
Assistant Professor, Department of English and Literature
A young and energetic teacher dedicated to cultivating the quest for knowledge, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking amongst students, Dr. Chow-Quesada Shun Man Emily empowers them to explore different disciplines in literary studies. Her interactive style promotes engaging discussions in class. She sets up assessments in a way that facilitates critical reflection and builds confidence as students progress in the semester. Her attentive and sincere response to critiques demonstrates a dedication to teaching excellence. Dr. Chow-Quesada’s research expertise in African literature in English has a promising trajectory for service-learning and internationalisation for the Faculty and the University.
Dr. LO Conte Angelo
Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts
Dr. Lo Conte Angelo is an exceptional teacher who has helped to transform the Visual Arts Studies curriculum during the pandemic by adopting new technologies without sacrificing programme quality. With intermittent campus closure, he devised pedagogical approaches including museum virtual reality tours and digital object-based learning to allow students to explore and engage great works of art at home. Students benefit from his teaching philosophy which explores the intricate connections that link art, history and society through a multifaceted approach that balances close readings of works of art with broader discussions on historical, cultural and social issues.
Dr. SUNG Wookje
Assistant Professor, Department of Management
A creative and dynamic teacher who is highly regarded by students, Dr. Sung Wookje believes his role should be a motivator and a coach rather than an evaluator. His meticulous preparation facilitates in-depth understanding of content via group discussions and simulations of real-world business scenarios. With genuine care for whole-person development, he offers career advice by drawing on personal experiences and professional network. Still in his early career, Dr. Sung has already contributed significantly to curriculum development in his research areas, having designed courses in business negotiation, leadership and innovation, and organisational behaviour at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Dr. CHOO Kim Loong
Senior Lecturer, Department of Finance and Decision Sciences
Dr. Choo Kim Loon Astrophel is a passionate teacher with a straightforward goal: to help students understand his lectures thoroughly. In achieving this, he prepares and reviews materials with relevant, up-to-date industry examples locally and internationally, and leaves a positive influence with his enthusiastic delivery. He collects feedback from course-end surveys to make necessary improvements. To enable exposure to workplace practices, Dr. Choo has arranged talks with industry leaders, simulation workshops for hands-on experience in portfolio management, and company visits to leading investment banks. He has successfully mentored multiple BBA student teams to awards in various competitions.
Dr. GUO Ping
Senior Lecturer, Chinese Medicine - Teaching and Research Division
Dr. Guo Ping is enthusiastically dedicated to supporting his students in professional growth. He attaches great importance to fostering independent thinking and adopts flexibly the most suitable pedagogy to cater different learning needs at various study stages. Their interactions go beyond the classroom, as he discusses academic or career questions through chat groups in instant messaging applications. Dr. Guo has been instrumental in the development of his research area: Chinese materia medica and medicinal identification. His impressive “can-do” attitude and excellent work quality are highly commended by students and colleagues.
Dr. ZHANG Xinzhi
Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism
With a strong passion for motivating, inspiring and encouraging his students to become responsible knowledge workers and professional communicators, Dr. Zhang Xinzhi leverages on his interdisciplinary background to emphasise on the societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and media technologies. His students have achieved international recognitions in 2021, winning championships in national competitions in data mining and data-driven investigative reporting respectively. Dr. Zhang has lent his distinctive expertise to the launch of the Data and Media Communication Concentration in 2016 and MSc in AI and Digital Media in 2019, both are firsts of their kind in Hong Kong.
Team of Faculty of Arts
(From left) Dr. Wang Ho Simon, Dr. Chen Meilin, Dr. Chan Hang, Dr. Guo Songdan Nancy, Ms. Fong Yuen Shan and Ms. Kwok Wai Wan Verena
Dr. ROWLETT Benedict John Lewis
Assistant Professor, Department of English Language
Dr. WANG Ho Simon
Literature Lecturer II, Language Centre
Dr. Rowlett Benedict John Lewis and Dr. Wang Ho Simon co-teach the “Taking a Stand: Engaging in Public Discourses through Advanced Research and Writing” course. The team inspires students to campaign for social issues with innovative coaching on gathering and analysing wide-ranging views, as well as planning and expressing ideas for possible actions. Putting coursework into practice, students are encouraged to write to authorities or the press, which have led to meetings with HKSAR Government departments, Legislative Council members and non-governmental organisations (NGO’s). About 70 letters to the editor of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) have been published since 2019.
Dr. BRENNER Andrew Timothy
Assistant Professor, Department of Religion and Philosophy
Since joining the Department in January 2020, Dr. Brenner Andrew Timothy has published nine articles in internationally renowned journals, such as Philosophy East and West, Oxford Studies in Philosophy and Religion, and Synthese. According to PhilPeople.org, an online resource widely used by academic philosophers, he is among the top 3% most cited philosophers, top 2% most cited and top 1% most published authors in metaphysics and epistemology respectively in the past five years. He was successful in attaining funds from the Research Grants Council (RGC) Early Career Scheme (ECS) in 2021, the first year for which he was eligible.
Dr. LAU Wai Sim
Assistant Professor, Academy of Film
Dr. Lau Wai Sum Dorothy has demonstrated exemplary research aptitude by producing cutting-edge works on significant and timely topics in Asian cinema studies,Sinophone studies, star studies, fan studies, digital media studies, and screen studies. She has published two single-authored monographs and eight journal articles or book chapters since joining the Academy as the assistant professor in 2018. With an emerging international standing, she has been invited to speak at conferences organised by prestigious institutions locally and overseas. The outstanding quality of her work is evidenced by winning the Research Grants Council (RGC) Early Career Scheme (ECS) and Competitive Research Funding Scheme (CRFS).
Mr. LEE Wing Ki
Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts
Specialising in photography, media art and contemporary art, Mr. Lee Wing Ki Kalen is a prolific researcher who publishes at very high level academic journals and creates practice-based projects in the form of exhibitions and artefacts. He has made a major impact on his disciplines through 9 publications and 13 conference presentations. His work has earned acknowledgements from prestigious international institutions such as WMA Master and Residency Award (as finalist) and KG+ Select award (as finalist in Japan and an Asian Cultural Council Fellowship. Mr. Lee’s unique expertise has secured his second General Research Fund (GRF) in four years.
Dr. YUEN Wai Hei Samson
Assistant Professor, Department of Government and International Studies
Dr. Yuen Wai Hei Samson studies contentious politics and has produced methodological innovation by deploying onsite surveys and ethnography to dissect demonstrations in Hong Kong. The findings obtained from representative samples during live protests have made substantive social and policy impact. One of his journal articles won two international academic awards recently. He is a regular presenter at conferences and seminars organised by renowned universities and institutes overseas. Dr. Yuen has won competitive grants as Principal Investigator (PI) on several projects funded by Early Career Scheme (ECS), General Research Fund (GRF), as well as the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme.
Prof. HO Wai Chung
Professor, Department of Music
An exemplary researcher and consummate educator, Prof. Ho Wai Chung has produced an exceptional publication record between 2018 and 2021, including two monographs, six journal articles and six book chapters – all published in top-tier journals and by leading university presses. She is a leading scholar on the sociology of education, China’s music education, and the comparative study of East Asian music education, focusing on education and development, as well as the impact of the interplay between globalisation, nationalisation and localisation on education. Since 2000, Prof. Ho has produced 68 articles in international refereed journals, 24 book chapters and 5 books.
Dr. MAH Ngar Yin
Associate Professor, Department of Geography
Dr. Mah Ngar Yin Daphne has demonstrated outstanding achievements in her scholarly work in the social aspects of smart energy transition. Her investigative work has been influencing the design and delivery of renewable energy policies in Hong Kong and across Asian cities. Her pioneering methodology engages utility companies, practitioners, governments and NGOs, inspiring similar efforts in Seoul, Kyoto, Taipei and other Asian cities in designing smart energy transitions. She has mobilised over 60 student interns and 250 undergraduates in research-based service learning activities for her projects. Dr. Mah has served as Principal Investigator (PI) of 29 projects funded by major competitive grants, including General Research Fund (GRF), Research Impact Fund (RIF) and Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme.
Dr. NG Kwok Kwan Kenny
Associate Professor, Academy of Film
A leading scholar in the fields of Hong Kong cinema, Sinophone cinema, and Cold War studies, Dr. Ng Kwok Kwan Kenny has an impressive track record. Since joining the Academy in 2017, he has published 25 quality academic outputs in English and Chinese at reputable academic venues. He has secured funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC) Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS) to finish a scholarly book, and have it published with the support of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC). He has also obtained three General Research Fund (GRF) projects in the past four years.
Dr. SHI Jue
Associate Professor, Department of Physics
Dr. Shi Jue Jade has spearheaded the advancement of biophysics and systems biology studies in Hong Kong. More than 35% of her peer-reviewed papers were published in the top 10% Science Citation Index (SCI) journals in their respective categories. The superb quality of her work was acknowledged by the Research Grants Council (RGC) Research Fellowship in 2021. As Project Coordinator of a RGC Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) study in 2018, she led with scholars from five other local universities to establish a cutting-edge 3D live-cell imaging facility. She has promoted collaborations between the University and overseas research institutions.
Prof. YANG Zhijun
Professor, Chinese Medicine - Teaching and Research Division
With a renowned reputation in frontline research on drug delivery system design, Prof. Yang Zhijun has produced impactful and novel scholarly work with valuable insights. Over the past five years, he has published 24 peer-reviewed papers in top tier journals and four book chapters. He has served as Principal Investigator (PI) for 22 external grants and filed five patents with international recognition. Prof. Yang has also made significant contributions to enhancing efficacy in drug delivery for bone diseases and fostering the development of pharmaceutical candidates to become anti-Chronic Respiratory Diseases drugs in the future.
Dr. CHEN Yi Ru Regina
Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Chen Yi Ru Regina is an active researcher in public relations who enthusiastically supports her students’ professional and career development. To hone their investigative competence, she organised intensive workshops given by world-leading scholars and editor’s panels during conferences. Her effective supervision of three PhD advisees and co-supervision of two others facilitated their achievements, including 10 refereed journal articles, 3 book chapters, 18 conference papers, 3 best paper awards at conferences, and 3 grants by the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government respectively. Her practical advice on MPhil and PhD applications has helped other students advance to world-renowned universities.
Dr. HUANG Zhifeng
Associate Professor, Department of Physics
A renowned expert in chiral nanoscience and technology, Dr. Huang Zhifeng Jeffery has demonstrated his capability in leading and motivating young talents. The impact of his supervision of 9 PhD candidates and 5 post-doctoral fellows is evidenced in their research outputs and career paths. Their achievements have been acknowledged by 5 external funded projects and 10 awards and scholarships in Hong Kong and mainland China. His group members have published more than 40 articles in internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals. A post-doctoral fellow secured Associate Professor position at Soochow University, while a Research Associate has translated his work to entrepreneurial startup.
Prof. CHAN Ka Wah
Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Prof. Chan Ka Wah Kara has provided invaluable services to the University and the wider community. She has contributed to the development of a strong and future-proof curriculum for the Department and led the five-year ClapTech Learning Pathway on Creative Technology and Innovation project to approval from the Education Bureau and funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. She enhanced the University’s positive image by launching a website to share her expertise in social science research with liberal studies teachers and students at secondary schools. She has also been frequently invited to provide services to academic institutions and professional bodies.
Dr. HO Wing Yan
Senior Lecturer, Department of Marketing
With a commitment to excellence, Dr. Ho Wing Yan Glos has strengthened learning and teaching in the Department. She has been crucial in launching the School’s first flagship MSc programme with Grenoble Ecole de Management in France and led the development of the interdisciplinary MSc programme with the Academy of Visual Arts and one of the University’s transdisciplinary UG programmes. She led initiatives to provide mentorship to young teachers and to enhance the teaching environment for the digital era. Her students gain internship opportunities and other industry exposure through her strong academic-business ties. In serving the community, Dr. Ho led the 3-year Hong Kong Jockey Club project which advocates for a responsible consumption culture for young people in Hong Kong.
Prof. LIU Xin
Professor of Practice, Chinese Medicine - Clinical Division
Prof. Liu Xin has demonstrated his profound commitment to providing quality healthcare service and promoting traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to the public. With a high patient volume of over 4,000 each year, he is known to be attentive to patients’ emotions as well as their physical symptoms. Under his leadership, the HKBU Chinese Medicine Specialty Centre has established an excellent reputation in the community, and expanded its services to cover dermatology, paediatrics, neurology and endocrinology. Prof. Liu has dedicated his expertise in TCM ophthalmology into the School’s curriculum, and promoted the discipline to Hong Kong with multiple media appearances.
Mr. O'DEA Thomas Christopher
Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts
An enthusiastic and selfless colleague, Mr. O'DEA Thomas Christopher has made substantial service contributions in leading the development of Visual Arts Studies (VAS) and enhancements to learner engagement and studio culture. He has guided colleagues through significant redevelopment in VAS while ensuring critical and historical studies have become the backbone of the curriculum. By leading the Kai Tak campus working group over the last three years, he has overseen the refurbishment of the gallery, workshops, studios and facilities. Mr. O’Dea has spearheaded the International Artists-in-residency programme, which is instrumental in the Academy’s internationalisation efforts.
Prof. WEE Lian Hee
Professor, Department of English Language and Literature
Prof. Wee Lian Hee has made a determining impact to the Department’s on-going vision and positioning for the future. As a mentor and peer-leader, he has conducted in-class observations of his entry-level colleagues’ teaching with an eye to offering constructive advice as to improvement and establishing consistency in best practices. He championed the Phonology Lab in 2012 to build community-facing research ethos for the Department. As co-convenor of the Unit of Assessment 31 exercise in 2020, he actively coordinated development of a transdisciplinary impact case study which was ultimately rewarded a respectable 3* (international standing) by an international panel.