In pursuit of wisdom: two FLASS research students share their doctoral journeys

The Faculty has established the Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award to acknowledge research postgraduate (RPg) students who have produced high-quality research. Among the four RPg students receiving the award for the 2024/25 academic year were Ms Skylar Sun Yuanke from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) and Ms Vivien Tang Foong Yee from the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS).

Ms Skylar Sun earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics in her home city of Chengdu, Sichuan. In 2020, she came to EdUHK to pursue a Master of Arts in STEM Education. “The one-year master’s programme aroused my passion for STEM education, so much so that I decided to pursue doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr Chan Man-ho from SES after completing my master’s course in 2021,” she said.

Skylar’s PhD research was cross-disciplinary, bridging educational psychology, language, and educational technology. Her work explored how factors such as gender and language proficiency influence STEM literacy among primary school students in Hong Kong.

Early in her PhD studies, Skylar realised the importance of academic publishing if she wanted to pursue an academic career. Yet, publishing in reputable journals can be daunting for many doctoral students who lack familiarity with the process. “Dr Chan helped me develop a publication plan and identify opportunities. To increase the likelihood of acceptance, he suggested suitable journals and even co-authored papers with me,” she recalled.

The process of publishing is complicated, involving defining objectives, designing methodologies, collecting and analysing data, following submission guidelines, and engaging with peer-review. “Dr Chan guided me throughout the process so I could acquire those skills through hands-on experience. When a paper reached the final stage of peer-review, he discussed with me how to respond constructively to reviewers’ comments and criticism,” she said.

The long and often uncertain nature of a PhD can make students feel adrift. Whenever Skylar felt lost, Dr Chan reminded her to focus on the core objectives and intended outcomes of her doctoral studies. Stress was another constant challenge. “Seeing senior PhD students published excellent papers made me anxious. I doubted whether I could achieve the same,” she admitted.

She expressed gratitude for Dr Chan’s encouragement. “He always reminded me to persevere and to keep a positive mindset. When I got stuck, he suggested I move at my own pace instead of comparing myself to others,” she said. Skylar also found her own ways to relieving stress. “I keep up a weekly workout routine, and I like exploring different parts of Hong Kong. Places like the Peak and the outlying islands are beautiful and relaxing to visit,” she said with a smile. Apart from managing pressure, she also emphasised how crucial regular communication with her supervisor was throughout her PhD journey.

Beyond her supervisor’s guidance, Skylar appreciated the strong library resources at EdUHK. Having submitted her dissertation and completed her oral defence, she reflected: “Though challenging, pursuing any PhD studies at EdUHK left me with many fond memories. Looking back, despite the difficulties, it was a rewarding and positive experience.”

Before beginning her PhD, Ms Vivien Tang studied in the United States, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in childhood and special education. After working in Singapore for a period, she joined the Master’s in Public Policy and Management programme at EdUHK. For her doctoral studies, her principal supervisor was Professor Chou Kee-lee from SSPS with Professor Jiang Da from the Department of Special Education and Counselling, and Professor Dannii Yeung from the City University of Hong Kong as her associate supervisors.

In Hong Kong, loneliness among older adults has become an urgent social concern. Vivien’s research examined loneliness in Hong Kong’s Chinese elderly population, focusing on risk factors such as poverty and social isolation, as well as protective factors, and the effects of targeted interventions. She also developed a new scale to measure loneliness, which draw upon cognitive discrepancy theory. Her work aimed to improve both intervention strategies and assessment methods.

“I valued my PhD research which addressed real-world issues rather than solely theories. As ageing affects everyone, I might benefit from my research in the future,” Vivien said. She noted how Professor Chou, an established scholar in the field, not only strengthened her research skills but also expanded her academic network. “Thanks to his support and resources, I have been able to attend and connect with his collaborators at the annual Gerontological Society of America conference in the US for the past few years,” Vivien said.

Reflecting on her learning, Vivien highlighted three key lessons. First, an academic must strike a balance between being an inquisitive and persistent researcher, and being a productive one who builds networks and secures grant funding. Second, it is important to exchange ideas with researchers from varied disciplines. “Conversations with fellow PhD students from other fields gave me fresh perspectives that helped me interpret my findings differently,” she shared.

Vivien believed the importance of peer support throughout her doctoral journey. “I treasure the close-knit peer groups both inside and outside of EdUHK. My friends encouraged me through difficult times. We supported each other to keep pursuing our dreams. Additionally, I also enjoy volunteering work. Apart from joining SSPS Dr Isabella Ng’s community programme for supporting asylum-seekers and refugees in Hong Kong, I also engage in home visits to the elderly, which have given me valuable insight into the mental health issues at the grassroots level,” Vivien said.

Professor Chou is known for his direct communication style. Instead of complaining, Vivien deeply values her supervisor’s feedback, which have contributed to her academic and personal growth. “Although he demands a lot from his students, Professor Chou genuinely cares about our academic development. He connected me with the right people and guided my progress so that I would have the skills and experience necessary for an academic career,” Vivien who is a Singapore native said.

As a mentor, Professor Chou encouraged Vivien to look beyond her immediate challenges and to plan strategically for her career. “If you ask me the most memorable part of my PhD studies, I would say my one-to-one interactions with him. Thanks to his guidance, areas I once considered my weaknesses have improved,” she gratefully said.

Having journeyed from Singapore to the US, and finally to Hong Kong, Vivien completed her secondary school education, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies across three countries and places. With Professor Chou’s mentorship and the support of her peers, Vivien is prepared to contribute meaningfully to the field of gerontology and make a lasting impact on the wellbeing of older adults in Hong Kong and beyond.

Besides Ms Skylar Sun and Ms Vivien Tang, other Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award recipients included Ms Tao Lei from the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT), Mr Richard Yeung Chung-yiu from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES). Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, presented the awards and other teacher and student awards to the recipients at the annual Faculty Assembly cum Awards Presentation Ceremony held on 22 July 2025.

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