International symposium at EdUHK explores behavioural economics and professional ethics
Professor Pablo Brañas Garza shares findings from a collaborative research that examines how developmental stages and social contexts shape children's understanding and application of meritocratic principles in competitive environments.
As part of its ongoing efforts to foster international exchange of ideas, the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS) hosted the International Symposium on Personal Finance on 25 April 2025 at EdUHK. Two renowned international scholars in finance—Professor Pablo Brañas Garza, a leading figure in behavioural economics, and Professor Steven Dellaportas, who has dedicated many years to researching and teaching professional ethics in accounting—were invited to deliver keynote speeches at the symposium, which was organised with support from the Jiangsu – Hong Kong – Macao Universities Alliance.
The symposium provided an invaluable collaborative platform for participants to exchange knowledge, research findings, and best practices in the field of personal finance. Distinguished scholars presented their research on a range of critical topics, including financial literacy, consumer behaviour, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks. This event highlighted the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to advance understanding and practice in personal finance.
Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong, Acting Head of Department of SSPS, welcomes participants to the important symposium.
Professor Pablo Brañas Garza, Professor of Economics and Director of the Loyola Behavioural Lab at Loyola Andalucia University in Spain, spoke on the topic “Developmental meritocracy: Evidence from experiments in the lab”. In his keynote, the professor shared findings from an experiment conducted jointly with two scholars from the University of Southern California.
The experiment surveyed 2,883 children and teenagers aged 5 to 18 in the United States and Spain, and was structured as a third-party dictator game. In this experiment, participants could influence the rewards given to the winner and loser of a competition, based on different criteria for determining the winner, such as talent, effort, and luck. “We also investigated the differences between two methods of allocating rewards: redistribution from winner to loser and addition to both winner and loser. The study highlights how developmental stages and social contexts shape children’s understanding and application of meritocratic principles in competitive environments,” he explained.
Professor Dellaportas delivers a keynote on the various factors that lead financial professionals to engage in fraudulent activities.
Professor Steven Dellaportas, Professor of Accounting at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, delivered a compelling keynote speech entitled “Committing Fraud of Professionals: Stories from Jail.” In his presentation, he explored the complex issues surrounding professional fraud, drawing on real-life stories of individuals who have faced legal consequences for their actions.
Professor Dellaportas has conducted extensive research into the various factors that lead financial professionals, such as accountants and bank executives, to engage in fraudulent activities and has analysed how they exploit their professional roles in facilitating such fraud. “Understanding these elements is crucial for developing effective strategies to prevent fraud within various professions,” he said.
Professor Thorp discusses how psychological and behavioural factors influence people’s decision-making regarding home loans.
The International Symposium on Personal Finance provides a platform for local and international scholars to exchange ideas in the field of personal finance including financial literacy, consumer behaviour, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks.
Following the two keynote speeches, Professor Chen Fuzhong, Professor at the School of Economics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, gave a talk on “Consumer financial knowledge and purposive credit card behaviour”. Professor Susan Thorp, Professor of Finance in the Business School, the University of Sydney, shared her research on “Decoding home loan decisions”. Meanwhile, Dr Yu Jin, Researcher at School of Management and Engineering, Nanjing University, talked on “Opinion boldness in online investment communities”, while Dr Tan Weiqiang, Associate Professor at SSPS, delivered a speech on “Financial literacy and online shopping behavior”.
Professor John Lee Chi Kin, President of EdUHK, delivered a pre-recorded welcome speech to the participating scholars and audience. Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, and Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong, Acting Head of SSPS were present to welcome the keynote and other guest speakers. Professor Christina Yu Wai-mui, a veteran educator in business teacher education from SSPS, also participated in the round-table discussion session of the symposium.
Dr Tan Weiqiang says international academic exchanges facilitate the sharing of diverse perspectives and best practices in personal finance, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary issues and innovative strategies in financial education.
A line-up of conference participants, from left to right: Professor Christina Yu Wai-mui; Professor Chen Fuzhong; Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong, Acting Head of SSPS; Professor Steven Dellaportas; Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS; Professor Susan Thorp; Professor Pablo Brañas Garza; Dr Jin Yu; and Dr Tan Weiqiang.
Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of the FLASS, delivers a closing remark.
Livestreamed simultaneously, the symposium attracted staff members, students from EdUHK, and members of the public. During the half-day seminar, the two renowned keynote speakers, along with other international scholars in business and finance from Beijing, Nanjing, Hong Kong, and Australia, engaged in extensive discussions on a variety of topics, including financial literacy, consumer behaviour, investment strategies, and financial regulation.
Dr Tan Weiqiang, Programme Leader of both the Master of Arts in Personal Finance Education and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Personal Finance, said, “SSPS is committed to organising international academic exchanges to facilitate the sharing of diverse perspectives and best practices in personal finance. By engaging with scholars and professionals from different countries, participants can enhance their understanding of contemporary issues in personal finance and the innovative strategies for financial education,” he concluded.
