CityU scholars receive $1.87m in research grants
Christina Wu
Four social scientists and a cultural historian at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have secured HK$1.87 million in research grants from Hong Kong, the UK and Taiwan research funding bodies, demonstrating CityU’s strength in achieving excellence in research. 
In the 4th round of a research scheme launched by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in Hong Kong and the Economic and Social Research Council in the UK, Dr Ho Wing-chung, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies, was awarded HK$402,500 for a study on migration, while Dr Paul Higgins, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public and Social Administration, was awarded HK$402,500 for the study of the professional standing of human resource management in Hong Kong and the UK. 
Meanwhile, Professor Cheng Pei-kai, Director of the Chinese Civilisation Centre, Dr Nicholas Thomas, Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and International Studies, and Dr Chris Chan King-chi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies, received US$136,000 (HK$1,060,000) from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange.
CityU’s success rate in this funding exercise, 33%, is the best among UGC-funded institutions, and represented the largest amount, too.
Launched in 2007, the scheme fosters collaboration between social scientists in the UK and Hong Kong, supporting research, travel and subsistence expenses.
This Taiwan private organisation promotes the study of Chinese culture and society by awarding grants to institutions and individuals conducting China-related research and academic projects.
Principal investigator | Project title | Research grant |
Professor Cheng Pei-kai | Preservation and development of Kunqu Opera as cultural heritage in Hong Kong and Taiwan | US$55,000 (HK$429,000) |
Dr Paul Higgins | The professionalisation of human resource management in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom | HK$402,500 |
Dr Ho Wing-chung | What calculations and strategies drive young migrants? An investigation of the traffic between London, Hong Kong and Beijing | HK$402,500 |
Dr Nicholas Thomas | The significance of Taiwan’s subnational relations with Japan | US$45,000 (HK$351,000) |
Dr Chris Chan King-chi | Changing labour regime in China? A study of workplace relations in Suzhou | US$36,000 (HK$280,800) |