The Joseph Lau Luen Hung Charitable Trust Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change (APCLC) and the Department of Education Policy and Leadership (EPL) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) successfully hosted the inaugural Future Scholars Forum in Leadership and Policy Studies from 8–10 June 2026 at the EdUHK Tai Po Campus.

The three-day forum brought together over 40 emerging scholars from across the region and beyond, offering a dynamic platform for doctoral students, master's students, pre-doctoral graduates, and early-career researchers to present their pioneering research, engage with leading academics, and build lasting professional networks.

Designed to bridge the gap between emerging and established researchers, the Forum featured a rich programme that balanced scholarly rigour with professional development. Participants benefited from:

• Featured Research Talks: Distinguished scholars, including Prof. Tony Bush, Prof. Shuangye Chen, Prof. Ellen Goldring, Prof. Philip Hallinger, Prof. Gu Qing, Prof. Marcus Pietsch, Prof. Allan Walker, and Dr. Dong Nguyen, delivered insightful presentations on contemporary themes, ranging from mixed-methods research to sustainable publication strategies.

• Parallel Research Sessions: Emerging scholars presented their work in thematic sessions, receiving structured, personalised feedback from session chairs and peers.
• Expert Mentoring Sessions: Small-group mentoring sessions offered participants direct access to experienced academics for guidance on research design, career pathways, and scholarly publishing.

• Networking and Social Events: Structured networking opportunities and a voluntary social gathering at Victoria Peak fostered meaningful connections and community building among participants from diverse institutional and cultural backgrounds.

Building on the overwhelming success and positive feedback from participants and faculty alike, the APCLC and EPL are committed to making the Future Scholars Forum an annual hallmark event, further strengthening its role as a premier platform for scholarly exchange and career development in leadership and policy studies.

For more information about the Forum, please visit the APCLC website: https://www.eduhk.hk/apclc/?page=events%2Ffsf26.html