Dancing with migration: a workshop cohosted by SSPS and AspirE
Mr Harvey Rouse, the Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, reiterates European Union’s commitment to working closely with Hong Kong to enhance cooperation on migration issues.
With 36 academics from 14 countries joining, the workshop provides a valuable platform to exchange views on the challenges facing transnational migration.
A group photo taken at the opening ceremony on 28 February.
The Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS) and AspirE co-hosted a workshop titled “The challenges and future of transnational mobility/Transnational what, why and how?” from 27 February to 2 March 2025. The workshop attracted 36 academic researchers from 14 countries across Asia, Europe, Oceania to North America, highlighting the urgency of understanding contemporary migration and mobility challenges and opportunities.
The AspirE project, spanning three years from January 2023 to December 2025, is a collaborative research effort involving 13 higher education institutions in 11 Asian and European countries. It examines the situation and decision-making processes of individuals from five Southeast and East Asian countries — China (including Hong Kong), Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – who aim to migrate or re-migrate within six EU countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Portugal.
Coordinated by the Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, the project received over EUR3.5 million in funding from Horizon Europe, the European Union’s (EU) flagship research and innovation programme. The programme aims to enhance collaboration and improve the effectiveness of research and innovation in developing, supporting, and implementing EU policies to address global challenges.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice-President (Research and Development), left, says that the transnational mobility workshop provides a platform for participants to share thoughts and insights on transnational mobility, migration policy, and migration-related issues.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice-President (Research and Development), third from right, presents a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the University to Mr Harvey Rouse, the Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, third from left. Also in the photo are Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong, Acting Head of SSPS, far left; Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, second from left; Dr Asuncion Fresnoza-Floz, chief principal investigator of the AspirE project, second from right; and Dr Isabella Ng Fung-Sheung from SSPS, co-principal investigator of the project, far right.
We were honoured to have Mr Harvey Rouse, the Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, officiate the workshop's opening ceremony on 28 February. Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice-President (Research and Development); Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS; and Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong, Acting Head of SSPS, also delivered opening remarks at the ceremony.
In his speech, the EU Ambassador emphasised the European Union’s commitment to working closely with Hong Kong to enhance cooperation on migration issues. He noted that Horizon Europe offers a unique opportunity for joint projects to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and address pressing migration challenges.
In his welcoming speech, Professor Chan welcomed participants worldwide. He believed that by bringing together Early Career Researchers and seasoned scholars, the University provided a platform for sharing insights on transnational mobility, migration policy, and related issues.
Professor Li Wai-keung stated that the conference would explore critical questions about the meaning, significance, and challenges of transnational mobility in today’s globalised world. “These discussions will provide valuable insights and foster meaningful collaborations among participants from diverse backgrounds,” he remarked.
Panel discussions took place on 28 February and 1 March following the opening ceremony. Various AspirE country teams presented their work progress during these panel discussions. Panellists covered topics including social network mapping, transnational ties, migrant networks, skilled migration, and talent policy.
Dr Asuncion Fresnoza-Floz, the chief principal investigator of the AspirE project, thanked Dr Isabella Ng Fung-Sheung from SSPS, a co-principal investigator of the project, Dr Tommy Kwan, Chen Xiaomen (Gloria) and their EdUHK colleagues for the successful event organisation. “The presentations examined the role of social networks in shaping migration decisions, trajectories, and experiences across different migrant groups from Asia to Europe. They highlighted how formal and informal networks—ranging from family and friends to recruitment agencies, government institutions, and online communities—mediate access to resources, information, and opportunities, while imposing constraints,” Dr Fresnoza-Floz said.
Dr Asuncion Fresnoza-Floz, left, chief principal investigator of the AspirE project chairs one of the panel discussion. Dr Antoine Roblain from Université Libre de Bruxelles of Belgium is the co-chair.
Dr Fresnoza-Floz noted that studies presented at the workshop explored how migrants navigate and reshape their social ties over time, from pre-migration aspirations to post-migration integration and potential re-migration. “By adopting diverse methodological approaches, including semi-structured interviews, social network mapping, and a temporal perspective, these contributions offer nuanced insights into the intersection of social capital, migration infrastructure, and personal agency,” she added.
Dr Antoine Roblain, Vice-Dean for Research, Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences, and Speech Therapy, Université Libre de Bruxelles of Belgium, found the workshop intellectually stimulating and enriching. “The diversity of perspectives—from 36 researchers across 14 countries—led to deep discussions on migration networks. I particularly appreciated the comparative approach that emerged from our discussions—seeing how different research teams analysed migration networks through varied methodological lenses was enriching,” he said.
The assistant professor in psychology of migration at the Université Libre de Bruxelles highlighted the importance of combining broad network analyses with individual narratives to capture both structural trends and personal dimensions of migration. “The discussions on formal and informal networks, as well as the role of digital platforms, were particularly insightful and will undoubtedly shape our future research,” he said.
EdUHK Adjunct Research Chair Professor Lui Tai-lok, centre, helps as a panel discussant on the first-day. Also in the photo are Mr Harvey Rouse, the EU Ambassador, and Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS.
EdUHK Adjunct Research Chair Professor Lui Tai-lok, JP, former Vice-President (Research and Development), Dr Fox Hu, and Dr Anita Chan Kit-wa, SSPS’ Associate Head (Research), attended the event as discussants and panel chairs.
Dr Asuncion Fresnoza-Floz, an associate researcher (chercheuse qualifiée) at the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS) and senior lecturer (maîtresse de conference) at the Laboratory of Anthropology of Contemporary Worlds (LAMC) in Université libre de Bruxelles; Professor Paola Bonizzoni, the principal investigator of the Italian team in the AspirE project and Full Professor, Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan acted as discussants on 1 March.
Also serving as discussants on 1 March were Dr Mari Korpela, the principal investigator of the Finnish team in the AspirE project and the Academy of Finland research fellow and a senior lecturer of qualitative research methods in the Faculty of Social Sciences in the Tampere University; and Dr Maruja M.B.Asis, the principal investigator of the AspirE Project in the Philippines and Director of the Scalabrini Migration Center and Editor of the Asian and Pacific Migration Journal.
Dr Antoine Roblain, far right, says his first visit to Hong Kong is memorable. “The Tram Party on Hong Kong Island was a fantastic way to take in the city’s energy, and the Chinese dinner provided a great setting for informal but meaningful conversations,” he says.
Participants from mainland China, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam take a leisure break to the Peak among the busy workshop schedule.
The Peak Tram, one of the oldest funicular railways in the world, is a must for all visitors to Hong Kong. After the workshop, researchers take in the breath-taking view of Hong Kong's skyline and the surrounding mountains as the tram ascends to the Peak.
In operation since 1904, “Ding Ding”, as it is called among locals, is one of the oldest forms of public transport in the city. As the tram traverses slowly across the northern coastline of Hong Kong Island, riders relax and take in the sights of bustling streets, iconic buildings, and the vibrant neighbourhoods along the route.
We believe that exposing participants to diverse cultural experiences and viewpoints fosters greater internationalisation and inclusivity. Cross-cultural academic activities encourage participants to appreciate cultural diversity, becoming more open-minded and tolerant of ambiguity, essential in today’s interconnected world. With this vision in mind, SSPS will continue to host similar workshops in the future.
To allow participants to experience Hong Kong’s vibrant city life and rich cultural heritage, the workshop organisers arranged a tram party, a sumptuous Chinese dinner and a visit to the Peak. This excursion provided an opportunity for participants to connect outside the academic setting, offering them a personal and memorable experience of the city.
