MPhil Studentship in Social Tourism and Well-being in Later Life

MPhil Studentship in Social Tourism and Well-being in Later Life

School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong

Two-year MPhil studentship (1 September 2024 - 31 August 2026)

Project area: Social tourism in later life

Supervisor: Professor Tingting Elle Li (https://scholars.ln.edu.hk/en/persons/tingting-elle-li)

Project description

This is a research project supported by the MTR Research Funding Scheme. The project seeks to examine the potential role of social tourism in enhancing well-being in later life in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s population is ageing rapidly. It is predicated that 40% of Hong Kongers will be aged 65 or above by 2050. Meanwhile, the social ties and support networks of older adults in Hong Kong have diminished due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to increasing social isolation and loneliness among this population. There is an urgent need to attend to older people’s health and well-being and to explore possible solutions to these problems. One promising solution to the loneliness and social isolation of Hong Kong’s elderly is ‘social tourism’, the provision of a diversity of activities through voucher schemes, subsidised packaged tours or discounted tickets for attractions or transportation to promote social inclusion and community engagement. To stimulate such initiatives in Hong Kong, the project will draw on self-determination theory (SDT) and eudaimonic well-being and provide a comprehensive understanding of social tourism in Hong Kong.

What the studentship offers

This is a 24-month MPhil studentship with a monthly stipend of HK$18,640 (rate for 2024-25, and subject to annual review) to cover your living expenses. You will have to pay an annual tuition fee during your study period. The studentship is open to local Hong Kong and international students. The expected commencement date of study is 1 September 2024. The application is separate from the normal MPhil/PhD application and unsuccessful applicants for this studentship funded by MTR Research Funding Scheme will not be automatically considered for the normal round of 2024-25 MPhil admission.

Eligibility for Admission Consideration

Applicants applying for admission to the MPhil programme should meet the minimum University entrance requirements and if applicable, the minimum English language requirement. Details are available from the admission website for research postgraduate programmes (https://www.ln.edu.hk/rpg/admission/requirement/admission-criteria-and-requirements).

A desired candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in Geography, Sociology, Tourism, or a related field, and is fluent in English and preferably in Cantonese. He/She should have experience in conducting qualitative research, preferably with experience in conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups. In short, the candidate shall have qualitative data analysis experience and knowledge in using related software, such as NVivo.

Application Period and Procedures

Interested individuals, please submit an application to the University’s Online Admission System via the internet at https://apply.ln.edu.hk/ by 22 April 2024 (application deadline extended from 31 March 2024). Please select the MPhil programme in Sociology and/or Social Policy and indicate Prof. Elle Li as your preferred supervisor in the online application form. 

Application Fee

HK$400

For enquiries about the research project, please email Professor Tingting Elle Li ([email protected]).