Faculty News

Professor Karen Laidler from the Department of Sociology was honored with the prestigious "Social Sciences Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award." This recognition celebrates Professor Laidler's exceptional mentorship and leadership in guiding students towards academic and professional success. Under Professor Laidler's expert guidance, students have achieved remarkable accomplishments, including publishing in top journals, presenting at international conferences, and receiving prestigious accolades. Her dedication to research supervision has not only fostered rigorous academic growth but also facilitated personal development among her students. Professor Laidler's unwavering support has empowered students to excel in their studies, secure grants, and produce impactful research outcomes. Her mentorship approach has been instrumental in creating an intellectually stimulating environment that nurtures talent and encourages scholarly exploration. This well-deserved recognition highlights her significant contributions to the field of sociology and underscores her role as a mentor shaping the future of research in social sciences.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering vibrant exchanges of knowledge and ideas between our Faculty members and scholars from the Global South. About the Fellowship The fellowship is open to professoriate staff from universities or comparable institutions in the Global South region. This initiative seeks to attract talented scholars who can significantly contribute to our academic community. The fellowship is an open call that will be promoted through various external platforms to reach a diverse pool of potential candidates. Fellowship visits are expected to last between one to three months. Detailed information about the application procedures, expected outcomes, and logistical arrangements can be found on the Faculty's website. Faculty colleagues and Departments/Centres can refer to the Guidelines on our research portal for internal reference. Application Timeline Applications are now open for visits during the upcoming fall semester (September 2025 to January 2026). The application deadline is May 26, 2025. Why the Global South? According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Global South broadly comprises Africa, Asia and the Pacific (excluding Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand), the Arab Region, and Latin America and the Caribbean. With its expanding economic power and political prominence, the Global South is emerging as a significant player on the international stage. Targeting the Global South specifically allows us to foster inclusive academic partnerships and enrich the diversity of perspectives in research. Scholars from the Global South bring unique insights and experiences that are often underrepresented in global academic discourse. By building bridges between our Faculty and these scholars, we aim to promote mutual learning and collaboration. This initiative will enable us to address global challenges with a more comprehensive and culturally diverse approach, underscoring our commitment to advancing knowledge that is both globally informed and socially relevant. For any queries regarding the fellowship, please contact the Faculty’s Research Team at fossres@hku.hk. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in promoting this wonderful opportunity within your professional networks in the Global South!