Research Areas
HKBU has a critical mass of researchers in health communication, data and algorithmic journalism, interactive and digital media, and Sinophone cinema studies, plus strengths in several other niches. They are spread across three departments at the School of Communication, as well as at the Academy of Film (School of Creative Arts). These four academic units include researchers working within social science paradigms as well as the arts and humanities, applying methods ranging from computational network analysis and large-scale surveys to textual analysis and cultural and political critique. Our scholars’ research metrics place HKBU among the top 10 in Asia and top 100 in the world for Communication and Media Studies, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022.
AI and Digital Media
A prominent area of faculty expertise is in big data, artificial intelligence and computational communication where algorithmic methods are used to generate patterns and draw inferences from complex datasets.
Faculty: Kenny Chow, Fu Xiaoyi, Lan Liang, Ivan Li, Jiemin Looi, Paolo Mengoni, Ng Yu-leung, Jolie Shi, Nick Zhang, Zhong Bu, Zhu Yuner, Zou Sheng
Data and Journalism Practice
We systematically investigate the changing relationships among journalists, sources and audiences in the digital era in response to new challenges in journalism education.
Faculty: Lan Liang, Rose Luqiu, Paolo Mengoni, Ng Yu-leung, Stephanie Tsang, Nick Zhang, Zhong Bu
Ethics and Media Literacy
We conduct research on the philosophical bases and daily practices of media ethics with a view to bridging the gap between journalism scholars and practitioners by stimulating dialogues between them.
Faculty: Cherian George, Steve Guo, Rose Luqiu, Kenneth Paul Tan, Zou Sheng
Global Communication and Power
Our study on media globalization focuses on the political and cultural underpinnings of media systems, the flow of information across geographical and social divides, and the power of technology in the process.
Faculty: Cherian George, Steve Guo, Rose Luqiu, Kenny Ng, Kenneth Paul Tan, Daya Thussu, Zhu Ying
Politics and Mediated Communication
We are devoted to theory-driven empirical studies at the intersection of macro- and micro-level perspectives to tackle issues concerned with the role of the news media in constructing socio-political reality and shaping public opinions.
Faculty: Cherian George, Steve Guo, Rose Luqiu, Kenneth Paul Tan, Daya Thussu, Stephanie Tsang, Nick Zhang
Transnational Digital and Interactive Media
Our research cuts across national and regional boundaries in digital and interactive media studies, and explores global and interregional cinematic circuits including Asia-Hollywood co-productions and transnational Sinophone Cinema.
Faculty: Kenny Chow, Mateja Kovacic, Dorothy Lau, Kenneth Paul Tan, Zhu Ying, Zou Sheng
Branding Communication
Faculty expertise includes celebrity endorsement and KOL influences, customer-brand relationships on social media, gamification and brand management, advertising and branding creativity, young consumers and media.
Faculty: Kara Chan, Regina Chen, Kineta Hung, Jiemin Looi, Vivienne Leung, Angela Mak
Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility and Reputation
Researching corporate social responsibility (CSR) in emerging markets, CSR via social media, employee engagement and volunteering, influencer marketing in CSR, creating shared value, competitive advantage, and social impact, IT attributes and CSR communication, CO media presence and corporate reputation, and crisis communication and corporate reputation.
Faculty: Jos Bartels, Regina Chen, Kineta Hung, Vincent Huang, Angela Mak, Keon Young Park
Health and Risk Communication
Faculty publish works on health message design and campaign, health information seeking, use and effects of mobile health technology, social support, social norm and smoking, workplace health and safety, health campaign using social media, health communication theory construction, and active ageing.
Faculty: Kara Chan, Leanne Chang, Feng Guangchao, Timothy Fung, Liu Meina, Jiemin Looi, Vivian Sheer, Jolie Shi, Elina Tachkova, Dominic Yeo, Zhong Bu
Leadership and Organizational Communication
Covering personal leadership on social media, organization-stakeholder dialogue and outcomes, leader-member exchange at the workplace, leadership framing, organizational change and leadership, communication constitution of the organization, and organizational leadership theory construction and application, leadership communication in crises.
Faculty: Jos Bartels, Regina Chen, Vincent Huang, Liu Meina, Vivian Sheer, Dominic Yeo
Technology-Mediated Communication
Faculty members research relationships between technology and communication, including mediated workplace relationship communication, social capital via social media, dynamics and consequences of online vacation networks, social media communication, inter-organizational relationships and communication network, media affordances, and on the impact of technology on work routines and online gaming.
Faculty: Jos Bartels, Leanne Chang, Regina Chen, Feng Guangchao, Vincent Huang, Liu Meina, Angela Mak, Florin Serban, Vivian Sheer, Stephanie Tsang, Dominic Yeo, Zhong Bu, Zhu Yuner, Zou Sheng
Gender and Media
Our faculty's research proposes theoretical intervention on the significant and evolving relationship between gender and media. Studies encompasses the history, politics, and relevant issues of gender and sexuality in the global and Asian media contexts, and feminist critique to new media.
Faculty: Timmy Chen, Jason Coe
Hong Kong Cinema, Mediascape, and Culture
Our research explores new terrains of Hong Kong cinema and media culture in their intermedia, transnational, transpacific and sociohistorical connections to cover studies of screen adaptation, cultural policy and geography, social activism, critical theory and aesthetics of commercial, independent and documentary films and new media in the post-colonial city and the related histories and developments, encouraging synergies between theory and practice among academia and working professionals.
Faculty: Kenny Ng, Albert Yu
Storytelling, Stardom, and Performance
Our faculty are working on cutting-edge studies of the intersection of body representation, storytelling, narratives and forms, politics, performance, stardom and global screen cultures. The research responds to the emergent debates pertinent to screen and media bodies, visuality, and technology.
Faculty: Kenny Chow, Dorothy Lau, Albert Yu, Zhu Ying