Research Mingle: Transdisciplinary synergy with Arts and Social Sciences experts

The "Research Mingle" event, held on November 28, 2024 (Thursday), brought together nearly a hundred attendees from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) for dynamic discussions on transdisciplinary research. Moderated by Professor Daniel Lai, Dean of the Faculty, the event featured an esteemed external researcher Professor Michael Ng from The University of Hong Kong, and our diligent FASS scholars Dr Yu Rongjun from the Academy of Wellness and Human Development, Dr Andrej Fech and Dr Noriaki Hoshino from the Academy of Chinese, History, Religion and Philosophy, Dr Jiang Jin from the Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies, and Dr Shao Jing from the Academy of Language and Culture.

Professor Lai opened the event by emphasising the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex societal issues, steering the discussion towards the challenges, strategies, and future of such research. Following him, Professor Ng presented his work on legal transplantation and business practices through archival and historical methods, highlighting the importance of passion, clear purpose, generosity, and collaboration in interdisciplinary research while advising early career researchers to aim for respected journals.

Building on the theme of interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr Yu Rongjun presented his insights into neuroeconomics and social neuroscience, emphasising irrational decision-making through brain imaging and the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding human behaviour and societal challenges. Dr Fech discussed the integration of Chinese philosophy with modern methodologies, stressing the need for clear communication in interdisciplinary research. Dr Hoshino explored the intersection of history and philosophy in East Asian studies, also highlighting the challenges of collaboration and the necessity for mutual understanding. Dr Jiang underscored the value of transdisciplinary approaches in her work on sociological education and youth studies, using big data from online forums to address methodological challenges. Finally, Dr Shao showcased her research on language learning systems for children and assistive robots for auditory training, illustrating the social impact of interdisciplinary efforts involving AI experts.

Special thanks to Professor Lai for moderating the event and PhD student of the Faculty Ms Wan Yuwei for her excellent role as MC, the event showcased the significant impact of interdisciplinary research, with enthusiastic attendees, including research students, engaging in discussions on how transdisciplinary work in the arts and social sciences can address societal challenges. Many remained afterward to explore various topics further.

For more upcoming events of the "Research Mingle" series, stay tuned to our event page. Discover more exciting research news and stories of our talented HKBU researchers on our LinkedIn page