Navigating Complex Social Problems: Postgraduate Conference 2025 Brings Together 430 Scholars and Students at Lingnan University, Hong Kong

The School of Graduate Studies and the International Classroom for Postgraduate Research Methodology Enhancement at Lingnan University successfully hosted the Postgraduate Conference 2025 on 3 and 5 April, themed “Navigating Complex Social Problems through Interdisciplinary Approaches”. This event, held in collaboration with the Institute of Policy Studies at Lingnan University and the Graduate School of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, was funded and supported by the University Grants Committee (UGC). It brought together 430 postgraduate students, researchers, and academics from diverse fields and regions, including Australia, China, Finland, Hong Kong SAR, India, Malaysia, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The conference focused on tackling complex social problems through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.

The conference programme commenced on 3 April with a poster presentation session, showcasing research by students from Lingnan University across a range of postgraduate programmes, including the Master of Cities and Governance, Master of Social Sciences in Health and Social Services Management, Master of Arts in International Higher Education and Management and the Doctor of Policy Studies. This session served as a compelling introduction to the conference, showcasing the university’s breadth of scholarly engagement and research excellence.

The formal opening of the conference took place on 5 April, marked by a welcoming address from Prof Lau Ka Wai Maggie of Lingnan University. In her remarks, Prof Lau warmly welcomed the keynote speakers and attendees, highlighting the significance of cultivating an inclusive and diverse academic environment.  Following the address, commemorative group photographs were taken, beginning with the distinguished guests, followed by key participants gathered on stage.

The first keynote speech was delivered by Prof Alexi Gugushvili from the University of Oslo, Norway, titled “Machine-Learning Text Analysis of Intergenerational Mobility Perceptions in Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom”. In his presentation, Professor Gugushvili emphasised the critical need for interdisciplinary approaches to address complex global challenges. He highlighted how culturally and socio-demographically shaped perceptions of intergenerational mobility are essential for achieving societal sustainability. Prof Gugushvili concluded that diverse contexts influence subjective perceptions of intergenerational mobility, underscoring the importance of considering these subjective experiences alongside objective measures to fully understand intergenerational progress across diverse socio-cultural contexts, as exemplified in the UK, Germany, and Sweden.  

The second keynote speech was delivered by Prof Shailen Nandy from Cardiff University, United Kingdom, entitled “Making Academic Research Relevant for Social Policy: Methods, Networks, and Communication”. In his presentation, Prof Nandy outlined the methods, networks, and communication strategies essential for translating academic research into impactful social policy, particularly in relation to accessing social services. He highlighted the importance of understanding and measuring the deprivation in key areas such as education, health, and shelter, as central themes of the research journey. Prof Nandy underscored the critical importance of effectively communicating research findings to ensure that academic scholarship meaningfully informs public policy, particularly in the realm of poverty alleviation. He cited empirical examples from diverse contexts — including Peru, Brazil, India, Tonga, and Uganda — where such engagement has contributed to shaping socially responsive policy interventions. He also discussed the challenge of ensuring policy uptake to effectively inform international and national poverty reduction initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising the importance of collaboration with national statistical organisations, UN, NGOs, governments, media, and students. Finally, Prof Nandy stressed the role of press releases and effective communication in this process.

The third keynote speech was delivered by Prof Josiah Poon from the University of Sydney, Australia, entitled “Alone We Start, Together We Succeed: Your Discipline is Half the Equation”. In his presentation, Prof Poon explored how researchers can successfully transitions from solo work to team-based collaboration and, ultimately, interdisciplinary research. Drawing on his personal experiences, he offered practical strategies for overcoming the challenges that arise at each stage of this progression. Prof Poon concluded that while individual disciplinary expertise forms the foundation, addressing complex societal challenges requires embracing collaboration and integrating the knowledge, insights, and expertise of researchers from various fields.

The conference continued with three parallel sessions, featuring 35 postgraduate students who presented their research. Among the presenters was Ms Shagun Swaroop from India, who was awarded our funded postgraduate conference scholarship. We also honoured Ms Zhou Yuchan and Mr Sun Kedi, students from Lingnan University, who received the Best Paper Award for their exceptional research.

Ms Shagun Swaroop presented her research on the cultural significance and socio-economic context of Godhadi quilting, emphasising how this traditional craft plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of artisans. She underscored the need for greater investment in community-based initiatives to safeguard cultural heritage and foster sustainable development.

In our interview, Ms Swaroop expressed gratitude for the scholarship, which enabled her participation at Lingnan University. She encouraged fellow students to step outside their comfort zones for both personal growth and academic success.

Ms Zhou Yuchan, recipient of the Best Paper Award from Lingnan University, shared her research utilizing the multi-dimensional Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) framework to assess landslide risk in Hong Kong. She demonstrated how the SVI framework effectively identifies high-risk districts by mapping exposure, vulnerability, and adaptability factors, providing essential insights for targeted risk management. In our interview, she described the conference as a memorable opportunity, emphasising the influence of interactions with esteemed professors and constructive feedback. She encouraged peers to embrace every opportunity, especially those that seem challenging, highlighting creativity and perseverance.

Mr Sun Kedi, a recipient of the Best Paper Award from Lingnan University, presented his research on how doctors in China perceive medical insurance policies and how these perceptions influence their diagnostic and treatment behaviors in a tertiary hospital in China. He concluded that the understanding of medical insurance policies by doctors in China, along with the support they receive, significantly shapes their clinical decision-making. He recommended enhancing policy transparency and training in China as key strategies to better align medical practices with the intended policy goals.

In our interview with Mr Sun, he expressed his gratitude to Lingnan University and the UGC, encouraging fellow students to seize opportunities for professional feedback to foster both academic and personal growth.

The conference concluded with the presentation of the Best Paper Award certificates, followed by closing remarks from Prof Padmore Adusei Amoah. Prof Amoah expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organising committee, all participants, including keynote speakers, and the UGC for its essential funding support. A heartfelt special thanks was extended to the event team for their outstanding efforts in coordinating the logistics and promotion arrangements for their exceptional contributions. Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the Graduate School's commitment to hosting similarly impactful conferences in the future and warmly invited continued participation in these upcoming academic events.