In the context of disruptive technological, demographic and geopolitical changes, societies around the world face the challenge of adjusting their models of community development in ways that are grounded in diverse cultural values while enhancing social equity. The Faculty of Social Sciences has a long tradition of research on these issues. The aim of the Culture, Equity and Community Development Strategic Research Theme is to strengthen inter-disciplinary integration of the Faculty’s research in these areas, creating a critical mass of research activity. This will include
(1) promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration and synergies;
(2) incentivising colleagues whose research focuses on culture, equity or community development to expand their international collaborations, notably with countries in the Global South;
(3) raising the profile of HKU as a centre of excellence in the study of culture, equity and community development;
(4) promoting initiatives in Research Impact to translate the Faculty’s expertise into actionable solutions for culture, equity and community development.
The Theme also hosts the Global Society and Sustainability Lab, a platform for collaborations between academic researchers and stakeholders in government, business and civil society, with the aim of bringing theories, methods and insights on culture and community into global discourses and practices on environmental sustainability. These collaborations notably aim to build capacity among business, financial, government and civil society stakeholders in Hong Kong, China and beyond to consider the social and cultural dimensions of sustainable investments and development projects in communities of the Global South.
