Former Department of Applied Social Sciences was retitled the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS), with effect from 1 July 2018, to better align with the University’s strategic plan, expand interdisciplinary research, address global challenges, and reflect the Department’s current focus and portfolio of teaching and research.

The current academic profile of SS shares a common core interest and commitment to understand and analyse social and behavioural patterns, development, and change. Encompassing a wide array of disciplines and skills, ranging from criminology and psychology to social work and sociology, social and behavioural sciences have become increasingly international in scope with concerns about connecting the global with community and selfhood, whilst retaining a key focus on social and behavioural challenges and transformations.

The new title provides the Department with a clearer and more distinct profile which would support student recruitment at all levels, both locally and internationally. It would also give the Department a more robust research platform and would enhance graduate recruitment and research links with similarly oriented departments in the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Aiming to serve as a cradle of leaders in the society including governmental and non-governmental organisations, private and public sectors, the Department provides a wide spectrum of job opportunities to the students and allows them to tackle traditional industries with new vision and knowhow.

Professor Wing LO, Head of Social and Behavioural Sciences, said the retitling of the Department reinforced its mission to groom next-generation leaders. “The new title promotes, sharpens and enhances the Department’s reputation as a cradle of professionals and researchers in social and behavioural sciences in this region.”

Always keeping at the forefront, the retitling is also expected to enhance the University’s global footprint and visibility in research and education.