Faculty Secures Two Prestigious HSSPFS Awards for 2026/27
We are delighted to announce that the Faculty of Social Sciences has successfully secured two awards under the Research Grants Council (RGC) Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS) for 2026/27. These are the only two funded projects awarded to HKU in this round.
The awarded projects are:
A Life Course Approach to Understanding Different Generations of Chinese Gay Men
Principal Investigator: Professor Travis Kong, Department of Sociology
Award Amount: HK$540,460
Drawing on decades of research, this project adopts a life course approach to examine the experiences of different generations of Chinese gay men in Hong Kong. The study will explore key aspects of their lives, including coming out, intimate relationships, family formation, community engagement, and activism, while considering the broader social, historical, and political transformations that have shaped these experiences.
The research will provide new insights into continuity and change across generations and contribute to discussions on diversity, inclusion, equality, and anti-discrimination policies.
A Multi-Level Framework for Understanding Human-AI Interaction, Adolescent Wellbeing, and Societal Change
Principal Investigator: Professor Benjamin Becker, Department of Psychology
Award Amount: HK$774,266
This project will develop a comprehensive framework for understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) influences human social behaviour, adolescent wellbeing, and wider social systems. Bringing together findings from ongoing empirical studies and international research, the project will examine how interactions with AI may affect social relationships, youth development, and societal dynamics.
The research aims to generate thought leadership in the rapidly evolving field of human-AI interaction and provide evidence-informed insights to support the development of human-focused AI systems and policies.
The HSSPFS is a highly competitive scheme. Each year, a maximum of only 10 fellowships are awarded by the RGC to recognise outstanding investigators in the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines. The scheme provides extended time-off and supporting funds to enable recipients to focus intensively on research and writing.
Congratulations to Professor Kong and Professor Becker on this outstanding achievement. Their success reflects the Faculty’s commitment to research excellence and the impact of social sciences scholarship in addressing important societal issues.