SSPS and AspirE Co-hosted the workshop on the challenges and future of transnational mobility

The Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and the AspirE co-hosted the workshop entitled The challenges and future of transnational mobility from 27 February to 2 March 2025. The workshop attracted 36 academic researchers from 14 countries spanning from Asia, Europe, Oceania to North America, has drawn attention to the urgency of understanding challenges and opportunities of contemporary migration and mobility.

Mr Harvey Rouse, the Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR; Vice-President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Professor Li Wai-keung; and Acting Head of SSPS Dr Fox Hu Zhiyong attended the opening ceremony on 28 February. The Ambassador emphasised  on the European Union’s commitment to working closely with Hong Kong to enhance cooperation on migration issues. Horizon Europe presents a unique opportunity for joint projects that can facilitate knowledge and exchange, foster innovation, and address the pressing challenges of migration.

In Professor Chan’s welcoming speech, he welcomed the participants worldwide. Professor Chan believed that by organising the workshop, which brings in Early Career Researchers and seasoned and world-class scholars, the university hoped to share thoughts and insights on transnational mobility, migration policy, and migration-related issues.

The two-day panel discussions on Social Network Mapping, Transnational Ties and Migrants Networks, and Skilled Migration and Talent Policy followed by the opening ceremony. Our Adjunct Research Chair Professor Lui Tai-lok, JP, former Vice-President (Research and Development), Dr Fox Hu, and Dr Anita Chan, our Associate Head (Research) graced the event with their presence. They helped the first-day panel as discussants and chaired the panels on the second day. 

Dr Asuncion Fresnoza-Floz, the Chief PI of the AspirE project and associate researcher (chercheuse qualifiée) of 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 PI of the Italian team in the AspirE project and Full Professor, Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan; Dr Mari Korpela, the PI 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, acted as the second-day panel discussants. The transnational, cross cultural academic exchange which fosters internationalization and inclusivity will continue to be a signature of our department.