Faculty News

Calling all FOSS alumni! Are you ready to make a meaningful impact and inspire the next generation of professionals? Join us as a mentor and share your valuable knowledge and experience with eager minds. HKU FOSS Mentorship Programme The HKU Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) Mentorship Programme is designed to strengthen the FOSS community by pairing alumni with students who are seeking guidance and support. As a mentee, you will benefit from valuable support and guidance from the mentor. You will be able to refine your personal and career goals by gaining real-world insight and practical advice from your mentor. As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your personal experiences and industry expertise with the next generation of Socientists. Moreover, you will have the chance to connect with fellow mentors, mentees, and industry professionals, making a positive impact on the faculty as a whole. Timeline July – November 2025 Mentor online applications for alumni open from July 1 to November 25, 2025 August – November 2025 Mentee online applications for students open from August 13 to November 16, 2025 December 2025 In-person interviews for student mentee applicants are scheduled for December 1 – 5, 2025 Early January 2026 Mentors and mentees will be informed of the matching results Late January 2026 (Evening) Mentorship Kick-off Ceremony at HKU Late January to June 2026 Industry Insights in different areas e.g., government sectors, social work, psychology, human resources, NPOs, NGOs, entrepreneurship, technology, communication, media, etc. Meet-ups based on the availability and interests of both mentor and mentee (e.g., networking drinks, company visits, etc.). Mentor Application Form Mentee Application Form  

Arousal – how alert or excited we feel - is a key part of our emotions, yet scientists still don’t fully understand how the brain generates this feeling or how it differs from bodily reactions like sweating or a racing heart. Led by Professor Benjamin Becker from HKU’s Department of Psychology, a recent study used AI-driven modelling and advanced brain imaging to identify a unique brain signature that measures emotional intensity across various situations, from seeing a loved one to watching a horror movie. Importantly, the research distinguishes conscious emotional experience from automatic physiological responses. This breakthrough not only sheds light on a long-standing debate about the connection between feelings and bodily reactions but also paves the way for advances in emotionally intelligent AI, brain-computer interfaces, and targeted treatments for emotional disorders like anxiety and depression. In short, this research offers a better, more precise way to understand how our brains create emotional arousal, and it could help with future studies and applications in understanding emotions. The research was recently published in Nature Communications in an article titled "A neurofunctional signature of affective arousal generalizes across valence domains and distinguishes subjective experience from autonomic reactivity". Link to the paper: here Press Release: here