Research Achievements

Smart Societies, Well-being, Value and the Public Good

Smart Societies are those where technology assists people to lead improved lives. Well-being, Value and the Public Good are also concerned with how (cross-)cultural and creative practices bring value to the lives, not just of individuals, but entire communities, thereby playing a constitutive role in the building of good societies and in producing the public good.

A thriving government-funded Liberal Arts university that is expected to produce research with relevance to society, HKBU offers a fertile environment for imaginative research on the benefits that culture and creative practices bring to the world.

We research the possible actions and consequences of smart societies. We share our original research online and through open lectures. Our approach is global and transdisciplinary. We collaborate internationally and draw the best practices from around the world. Our research is problem-driven and focuses on areas of key significance to China and Asia, creating new knowledge.

Among other things, colleagues in the Faculty are interested in the contributions of music to the quality of a life over time, in the role of creative writing in the context of trauma and therapy, in the value of prayer, and in the effects of creative practices on solidarity and the social bond in the context of diverse societies and amongst marginalized communities.

Structure of the Faculty Niche Research Areas:

Environmental and Urban Systems

A smart society is an urban society existing in balance with the environment. We have considerable expertise in analysing environmental and urban systems and the interdependencies between the two. Through these studies we have uncovered various social issues, such as energy problems, resource and ecosystem management, human-environment interactions, and climate change mechanisms in China, Asia and Europe.

Population and Well-being

A smart society is a place where all population groups can share the benefits of technology and enhance citizenship. Life in a smart society also means experiencing improvements in mental and physical health and coming to expect an overall enhancement in social and political well-being. The Faculty counts much expertise on populations and well-being to uncover how technology works for specific population groups, such as young people, the elderly, the mobile (migrants), and members of minority ethnic population.

Learning, Praxis and Governance in Social and Global Development

A smart society revolutionises knowledge: how it is made, and shared, and how it is used. The application of big data creates endless possibilities for truths and false positives and, combined with the social and political mediation of supposedly objective scientific knowledge, places the public and particularly citizens in an ambiguous position with regard to their understanding of the world around. At the same time, citizen science, enabled by connected society and digital technology, opens new possibilities for understanding and engagement in “Smart Societies”.

Anthropocene Studies

The concept of the Anthropocene, highlighting human impacts on ecosystems, is a key focus area exploring how humanities like philosophy, literature, and arts engage with climate change, environmental politics, and global resource competition. Our research team has hosted talks with scientists, historians, and filmmakers to delve into these themes.

Chinese and Cross-Cultural Health Humanities

This is an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research field that focuses on the relationship between arts, humanities, health, and well-being. The concept of health is studied in relation to (i) language, discourse, and narrative; (ii) literary representations; (iii) philosophy and (applied) ethics; (iv) religion and spirituality; (v) gender studies, and (vi) creative writing and performing arts (e.g. music and visual arts).

Performance Studies

This research team delves into the multifaceted concept of "performance," exploring its diverse manifestations beyond traditional performing arts to encompass self-presentation practices. They analyse how performance influences creative, social, and cultural domains, as well as everyday life. With an interdisciplinary approach, the team investigates expressive behaviour, cultural practices, and the contemporary significance of performance.

Minority Studies/Marginalized Populations Studies

Minority Studies/Marginalized Populations Studies focuses on a wide variety of minority groups (ethnic, religious, sexual, linguistic), and explores how an understanding of issues relating to minority identity, well-being, and forms of cultural production can contribute to the empowerment of such communities within mainstream society. Examples of broad areas of interest within this sub-theme include self-representation in minority literatures, healthcare communication in ethnic minority contexts, and minority rights.

Creativity, Self, and Society

This research area focuses on exploring innovative perspectives related to creative practices, self-concept, and subjectivity philosophy to engage deeply with contemporary cultural theories. Its objective is to bring about societal transformation and liberation. Scholarly studies and creative arts practices are encouraged, emphasizing areas like environmental awareness, social change across cultures, and youth empowerment for the betterment of society.