Each year, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences hosts the International Doctoral Symposium on Global Perspectives on Social Problems, Policy, and Practice in collaboration with leading universities worldwide, including Fudan University, Nanyang Technological University, Seoul National University, University of British Columbia, University of Chicago, University of Melbourne, University of Michigan, and University of Toronto.

This annual symposium provides a platform for PhD students in the arts and social sciences to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and generate innovative research on globally significant issues. It also aims to establish a sustained network for doctoral students. To facilitate meaningful connections, the program will include dedicated sessions for student networking and scholarly exchange.

This year, the symposium focuses on Media, Markets, and Human Well-Being in a Digital Future. We are particularly interested in abstracts that speak to one of six themes:

Key Themes

• AI, Digital Communication, Markets, and Social Inequality
• Migration, Displacement, Demographic Change, and Social Policy
• Urban Inequality, Housing, Work, and Inclusive Development
• Youth, Families, and Mental Health amid Technological and Ecological Change
• Philanthropy, Social Innovation, and Cross-Sector Responses to Social Problems
• Communicating Social Research for Policy and Public Impact

Journal Publication Roundtable and Doctoral Micro Seed Grant Competition

Additionally, the symposium will feature a specialized Journal Publication Roundtable. Drawing upon the firsthand experiences of recently published doctoral students and established faculty members, this roundtable is designed to provide practical insights into the academic publishing process and support early scholarly career development. Furthermore, the Doctoral Micro Seed Grant Competition will be officially launched. This global initiative is designed to catalyse cross-institutional collaboration among doctoral students and accelerate the development of thoughtful, high-impact publications. Doctoral candidates are highly encouraged to seize this opportunity to forge intellectual synergies and translate visionary concepts into rigorous collaborative scholarship.

Participation and Programme

Up to four doctoral students from each university will be selected based on the quality of their proposals and their fit with other submissions. The symposium will last for five days from 8 to 12 March 2027 (Monday to Friday). The symposium will also include site visits to local communities experiencing, and organizations addressing, relevant contemporary social problems. Students are expected to participate fully in all sessions.

Call for Abstracts

Interested doctoral students should provide a 300–500-word abstract of the paper they wish to submit. The submission link is: https://hkbuchtl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rUsb4581LwocfQ.

Deadline for abstract submission: 15 November 2026 (23:59 HKT).

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mr. Tsz Chung Lai of HKBU FASS at tc_lai@hkbu.edu.hk.