Faculty/School Performance Award
Prof. LOOI Jie Min
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Since joining HKBU in 2023, Prof. Looi Jie Min has demonstrated her superior teaching acumen by improving students’ learning effectiveness in an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive environment. With her learner-centred approach, she prioritises student’s enjoyment of the learning experience, and offers personalised guidance through individualised and group consultations. To prepare students for the workplace, she includes professional assignments, tasking students to create professional portfolios and compelling social media advertisements with the use of popular generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Through her educational research and innovations, Prof. Looi has shown clear potential as a future leader in promoting teaching excellence.
Prof. Liila TARUFFI
Assistant Professor, Academy of Music
As a scholar at the intersection of music, psychology, and neuroscience, Prof. Liila Taruffi offers an incomparable learning experience in these interdisciplinary fields. Given the complexity of integrating scientific and research-led approaches to music, her courses foster a positive environment that promotes intellectual diversity. This is achieved by encouraging students to share their unique music experiences, providing opportunities to examine and integrate phenomena from various viewpoints. Students commend her clarity of content and strong class interactions. The exceptional feedback testifies to Prof. Taruffi’s quality teaching.
Ms. Robin Galloway EWING
Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism
While Ms. Robin Ewing’s teaching philosophy has grown and changed over the years she has been teaching at HKBU, the whole person development of her students has always been her top priority. This is evidenced by her innovative pedagogy which promotes team building and the cultivation of an attitude of self-learning, and her high teaching evaluation and positive student comments. Lending her excellent command of journalism in curriculum design, she recently introduced topical issues such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), mental health and cryptocurrency as new courses. Ms. Ewing is also dedicated to her own continuous professional development to better serve the students.
Dr. O Lan
Principal Lecturer, School of Chinese Medicine - Division of Continuing and Professional Education
Dr. O Lan's innovative "EARTH" teaching paradigm showcases her exceptional ability to inspire enthusiastic learning among students. She enriches their understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) literature and clinical practice through regular interactive sharing sessions, while leveraging e-Learning and social media for flexible tutoring. Committed to community engagement, Dr. O organizes health workshops and initiatives that enable students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Her dedication to student success is evident as she consistently provides guidance and support beyond her official responsibilities.
Prof. SHIM Jaemin
Assistant Professor, Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies - GIS
In addition to his consistent display of excellence in classroom teaching, Prof. Shim Jaemin has successfully led the “Summer Sojourn II” course to deliver an exceptional learning experience for third-year students in the Global and China Studies programme. The three-week experiential learning course involves visiting four Western and Eastern European countries. It partners with the prestigious Heidelberg University in Germany based on a joint seminar centred on mixed student group projects. Prof. Shim’s terrific work in leading 150 hours of learning activities is underscored by encouraging feedback, with students describing the course as ‘transformational’. His efforts perfectly align with HKBU's aspiration to graduate students who possess an international outlook.
Dr. Edmond TSANG
Associate Professor of Practice, Academy of Music
Dr. Edmond Tsang’s extensive and diverse career in the music industry for more than 20 years has empowered his teaching acumen. In his “Live Performance Workshops” lectures, students gain hands-on experience by undertaking ad hoc tasks that are similar to the rehearsals of professional gigs in the popular music industry. He also co-founded BAM Limited, a music publishing start-up company, to help students to pitch their original songs to professional artists. By involving leaders from the creative industries in curriculum development, Dr. Tsang has brought his wealth of experience and network to ensure his students thrive in the music industry.
Team of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Mr. Sebastian PAHS (Team Leader)
Lecturer II
Prof. Nicole Brooke SCICLUNA
Assistant Professor
Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies - GIS
Sharing a belief that education extends beyond the classroom and into the community, Mr. Sebastian Pahs and Prof. Nicole Scicluna have worked up with students to accomplish the “Remembrance of War” service-learning project. The team collaborated with several consulates and non-government organisations, as students interacted directly with veterans to collect content for an exhibition, a documentary video and a symposium. These activities not only developed the students’ research, communication, and project management skills, but also gave them an invaluable opportunity to raise public awareness and empathy towards veterans’ and refugees’ experiences. The project has allowed students to apply their learning in meaningful ways.
Prof. CHEN Jie
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
With groundbreaking research in the transdisciplinary areas of multimedia science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Prof. Chen Jie has made significant contributions to the art tech domain. His leadership is validated by the publication of more than 60 high-quality papers in journals and conferences. Prof. Chen’s start-up, Lumos Arts and Technology Limited, builds on these findings to pioneer cutting-edge technologies in digital human modelling, motion generation, and AI for interactive real-time visualisation, supported by several education and industry fundings and collaborations. Prof. Chen’s expertise has positioned HKBU at the forefront of art tech innovation.
Prof. JIANG Jin
Assistant Professor, Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies - SOC
Prof. Jiang Jin has distinguished herself as a rising scholar of exceptional promise. She has secured two competitive grants from the Research Grant Council and one research project from the Public Policy Research Fund. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by 30 peer-reviewed publications, which have garnered over 1,000 citations and an H-index of 17 on Google Scholar. Her work appears in top-tier sociology journals, including American Sociological Review, Sociology of Education, and Journal of Sociology, as well as leading journals in education studies, policy studies, and political science. This breadth underscores her intellectual versatility and capacity for future interdisciplinary research.
Prof. WANG Liyao
Assistant Professor, Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance
Since joining HKBU in 2020, Prof. Wang Liyao has already demonstrated her potential as an outstanding scholar. Her research in empirical asset pricing and behavioural finance has provided new insights that are critical for understanding market dynamics. Under this emerging field of study, she has published three papers in the renowned Journal of Financial Economics, and a self-authored paper in the Journal of Corporate Finance. As Principal Investigator, Prof. Wang was awarded the prestigious Young Scientists Fund from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. By sharing her research at conferences and seminars, Prof. Wang has further extended her impact within the academic community.
Prof. ZENG Hong
Assistant Professor, Academy of Film
In her early career, Prof. Zeng Hong’s work has contributed to exploring the dynamics of gender and spatial politics within visual cultural production. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by the publication of eight articles in high-impact international journals. Furthermore, she has secured two Research Grant Council-funded projects as Principal Investigator, as well as a project grant from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council to publish her first monograph. As editor of a journal’s special edition, Prof. Zeng collaborated with scholars from Europe, the United States, South Korea and Singapore to discuss the current feminist discourse on digital media. Her maturity and global vision are exemplified in this role.
Prof. CHEN Ting
Associate Professor, Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance
Prof. Chen Ting’s outstanding calibre is showcased by the recognition and integration of her research into the curricula of prestigious institutions like Fudan University and Harvard University, among others. Her achievements are further evidenced by her receipt of the Youth Achievement Award (Hong Kong and Macao) under the 9th Outstanding Achievement Award for Scientific Research Output Award (Humanities and Social Sciences) by the Ministry of Education of Mainland China in 2024. Her extensive publications in the world’s top-tier journals, and invitations to present at major conferences in Germany and the United States showcase her international standing in the field of economics.
Prof. GAO Meng
Professor, Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies - GEOG
With his contributions to the global understanding of air pollution in high-emitting regions and its interactions with climate, Prof. Gao Meng boasts a record of distinctive accomplishments. His research has been recognised by multiple regional and international awards, including the Atmospheric Sciences Division Outstanding Early Career Scientists Award from the prestigious European Geosciences Union, among others. In spearheading a global inter-comparison study, he leads 30 renowned research groups to in collaborating on improvements of coupled chemistry-climate models. Prof. Gao’s appointment as a member of the Global Air Quality Forecasting and Analysis Information System Steering Committee of the World Meteorological Organisation testifies to his distinctive academic standing.
Prof. Simon HAN
Professor, School of Chinese Medicine - Teaching and Research Division
Prof. Simon Han has consistently produced quality research on the chemical analysis, quality control and biological activity of herb polysaccharides. In addition to publishing more than 200 peer-reviewed papers in reputed academic journals, he is listed among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists by the Stanford University. Over the past five years, he has secured 12 external grants. Prof. Han’s prominence in the field is showcased by numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal and the Silver Medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in 2021 and 2024 respectively, and the Bronze Medal at the 7th China (Shanghai) International Invention and Innovation Exhibition.
Prof. Peter Andrew Clarke NELSON
Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts
With his unwavering commitment to interdisciplinary research that combines visual arts, technology, and critical theory, Prof. Peter Nelson has built a major focus on how virtual worlds influence developments in the physical realm. His portfolio of scholarly work includes his first book, entitled Computer Games as Landscape Art in 2023, and multiple peer-reviewed articles in international journals. His research leadership is demonstrated in his General Research Fund project which involves a multidisciplinary team of computer scientists, artists and engineers. The local impact of his research is evidenced by six co-produced events, showcasing research on game design, sound design, immersive graphics and robotic interfaces.
Prof. ZHOU Shuo
Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
As a distinguished scholar across fields of communication and public health, Prof. Zhou Shuo has published ten peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals since she joined HKBU in fall 2022. She developed an Artificial Intelligence chatbot platform to address vaccine hesitancy, translating research findings into public health practices and real-world impact. In 2024, she has secured two General Research Fund grants to investigate the mechanisms and effects of using narratives for mental health promotion. In 2025, she received the Health and Medical Research Fund from the Health Bureau. Prof. Zhou has demonstrated her continuous contribution to leveraging emerging technologies to address barriers to health behavioural change.
Prof. Roberto ALLONSO TRILLO
Assistant Professor, Academy of Music
Prof. Roberto Alonso Trillo has cultivated a fiercely interdisciplinary research environment, where students are encouraged to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and produce work that resonates internationally. Under his mentorship, students have authored highly-impactful publications and creative projects that probe the frontiers of music, interface design, and the philosophy of computation — often through international exchanges with institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Oslo. He has also been instrumental in bringing Hong Kong Postdoctoral Fellowship awardees into this dynamic research culture. The work emerging from his supervision, showcased at leading conferences and festivals worldwide, stands as evidence of this intellectual ambition: rigorous, speculative, and seeking to reframe the contours of the possible.
Prof. Kenneth Paul TAN
Professor, Department of Journalism
A distinguished scholar with a 25-year career in Singapore and Hong Kong, Prof. Kenneth Paul Tan has a strong record of coaching PhD students toward academic and professional success. Listed among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists by Stanford University since 2021, he has supervised students from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, India, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, and Syria, including prestigious Hong Kong Postdoctoral Fellows. Many have published in reputable journals, presented at international conferences, and won awards. They credit his structured supervision—featuring Socratic conversations and mind-mapping techniques—for fostering intellectual rigour. Prof. Tan challenges his students to connect their research to broader concerns, cultivating in them a deep capacity for big-picture thinking.
Prof. ZHANG Hongjie
Professor, School of Chinese Medicine - Teaching and Research Division
An expert in phytochemistry and drug discovery from natural resources, Prof. Zhang Hongjie has devoted immense enthusiasm and effort in research supervision. In the past five years, he has supervised graduation of 13 PhD students, including one dual PhD student with George State University and two Hong Kong PhD Fellowship awardees. In particular, Prof. Zhang partnered with a student to co-found Gihon Biotech with support from the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities. Their traditional Chinese medicine-based skin whitening technologies have secured eight patents and won international recognitions. The success of his research leadership is showcased by 43 peer-reviewed publications, 17 granted patents, and prestigious awards on the global stage.
Prof. ZHOU Changsong
Chair Professor in Physics and Complex Systems, Department of Physics
With his international standing as an excellent scholar, Prof. Zhou Changsong has attracted 24 quality research postgraduates, including five overseas students from France, Ghana, India, Indonesia and Iran. Under his supervision, students have generated excellent research outcomes as first authors, with 48 publications in the past five years in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, PNAS and Physical Review Letters. Most of his students have secured impressive career advancements, either continuing to work in research as independent scholars and faculty members in prestigious institutes, or securing prominent positions in reputable companies. The undisputed quality of Prof. Zhou’s research work and leadership in supervision has been recognised by the Research Grant Council Senior Research Fellowship in 2023.
Mr. CHEN Yimin
Senior Lecturer, Academy of Film
Through taking up various academic and administrative leadership positions, Mr. Chen Yimin has made significant contributions to HKBU and the Academy of Film. With responsibilities in overseeing the Academy’s teaching and learning activities since 2019, he has served on more than 30 committees at multiple levels. Mr. Chen championed the revision of the honours project assessment methods. The resulting improvement in the quality of student work is witnessed in the Best Student Short Film award in the prestigious Pingyao International Film Festival. In addition to fostering meaningful collaborations with the industry, Mr. Chen also strives to provide services to other academic institutions and professional bodies.
Dr. Vivienne LEUNG
Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Vivienne Leung has consistently demonstrated her commitment to service through extensive involvement in administrative, community, and professional activities. In addition to her management duties in the undergraduate programme, she has actively participated in planning the university's new development initiative, which includes the First Major and Transdisciplinary Second Major programmes related to communications. Dr. Leung has also facilitated discussions between academia and industry professionals by presenting at seminars on the role of artificial intelligence in creativity. Her receipt of the Merit Award for the Exemplary Teaching and Learning Award at the prestigious eLearning Forum of Asia 2024 highlights her contributions to advancing innovative teaching methods.
Prof. SUN Feng
Professor of Practice, School of Chinese Medicine - Clinical Division
As Director of the Clinical Division of the School of Chinese Medicine, Prof. Sun Feng is instrumental in the clinics’ continuous growth. He has led the enhancement of service delivery, resulting in a significant increase in patients. He provides caring mentorship to new staff by sharing best practices to elevate their clinical skills and foster their growth in specialised areas. His active engagement in media interactions has not only elevated the profile of HKBU, but also raised public awareness and engagement with the field. Prof. Sun’s contributions to both the professional and governmental sectors underscore his unwavering efforts in advancing the local Chinese medicine industry.