Since embarking on my academic career in 2006, I have played a pivotal role in the internationalisation of the teaching and learning curriculum at the undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and MPhil/PhD levels within my departments.
My dedication to this initiative stems from a deep-seated belief in the intrinsic value of bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to explore social transformations and social policies within the global economy. I am convinced that such cross-cultural educational experiences are not only valuable in their own right but are also crucial for advancing the reputation of any university that aims to be a leading centre for theoretical and applied Sociology and Social Policy education and research on a global scale.
With my research interests firmly rooted in comparative and global social policy, these contributions underscore my commitment to fostering an inclusive and globally engaged academic environment, which I believe is essential for the holistic development of our students.
COURSES
I have designed several courses and am happy to share more details about them upon request.
Undergraduate Level:
Principles and Practice of Social Policy: This course introduces students to the academic discipline of Social Policy. It provides an overview of key concepts and ideologies in social policy study and outlines core areas of social provision with examples of policy goals, policy instruments and policy problems that exist within them.
Social Justice: Social justice is concerned with how valuable resources are distributed in society. In this course, students are introduced to theories and concepts on social justice and their application to contemporary social issues such as equality, equity, rights, and discrimination.
Risk, Modernity and Society: This course examines risks in modernity such as environmental pollution, epidemics, food safety, and financial crises. Theoretical concepts are mainly based on ‘risk society’ and cases drawn from social issues close to our lives.
Quantitative Research Methods: The course is designed to help students develop their skills in advanced statistical analysis using standard statistical software packages. Students learn how to choose an appropriate statistical test to answer their research questions, interpret the results from their statistical analysis, and write up their quantitative research findings clearly and professionally.
Work and Occupation: This course aims to help students explore issues surrounding the nature of work and to provide an understanding of what work in modern society entails. Within this framework, topics such as work ethics, professionalism, work and family, work and gender, and work organisation are discussed.
Postgraduate Level:
Social Policy Analysis: Comparative Perspectives: This course introduces students to the key concepts, techniques and theories employed in the social policy and the policy process literature.
Comparative Social Indicators and Research Methods: This course covers the quantitative comparative approach to the study of key pillars of social policy, and the social indicators and methodological techniques employed in comparative social policy research
Comparative Social Policy in Greater China and East Asia: This course introduces students to social policy concepts and theories, with particular attention given to the comparison of the social, economic, demographic changes taking place in the Greater China and East Asian regions.
Comparative Social Policy Research Project: This capstone copurse is an individually supervised and executed research project where students demonstrate their knowledge, skills and analytical abilities in the area of comparative social policy through the execution of a research topic of their choice.