Interview with Lingnan scholar Prof Ruby Lai, who has transformed her research into an exhibition with social impact through listening to the stories of subdivided unit residents

The everyday realities of subdivided flat residents include frequently obstructed by spatial constraints, and strategies to avoid electrical overloads. Prof Ruby Lai Yuen-shan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at Lingnan University, and Hong Kong artists Ms Miu Law and Mr Victor Sham Chung-tat have focused public attention on the stories behind the exhibition "My Belongings, My Sound Stories in 118.4 sq.ft. (所有：聽見118.4呎的聲音故事)", which highlights the narratives behind the possessions and every day labour of subdivided unit residents, demonstrating how residents transform an inadequate domestic space into homes. Prof Lai aims to raise public awareness of recent policies on basic housing units and to encourage active engagement in policy discussions.

Since 2021, Prof Lai has been studying the lives of families in subdivided units, and has visited over 50 households across the New Territories and Kowloon. With assistance from Lingnan students who have helped gather tenants’ stories, she has made her research into an artistic project that seeks to create a meaningful social outcome.

“This project seeks to show and acknowledge the invisible domestic labour these tenants undertake to transform inadequate dwellings into functional and livable homes. Such homes are not only places where people live, but also where they can give and receive care. I hope that this will highlight the intricate connections between housing conditions, individual and family well-being, and the social policies that shape our living environments and everyday experiences in urban and domestic spaces,” Prof Lai explains.

The exhibition offers four audio-guided tours taking visitors through the Kwai Chung community. Prof Lai believes this approach will deeply inspire students to forge a stronger connection and commitment to community issues.

Social worker Ka-chun, who took two of the audio tours, was very much affected, and said that while research often presents dull statistics, this exhibition breathes life into the community's everyday stories, making it easier for people to grasp the realities of living in subdivided flats.

“Many visitors discussed housing issues and policies, and these contacts have given us valuable insights and deep reflections, reinforcing the importance and impact of our work,” Prof Lai concludes.