‘Bee-ing Together’: Interdisciplinary Encounters from Tea Reading Gathering to Bee Farm

Continuing its exploration of human–nature relations, the SUSHUM Project organised ‘Bee Dialogues’ (「蜂人絮語」) — a reading tea gathering and field visit series promoting ecological awareness through interdisciplinary exchange and exploring the potential of interdisciplinary citizen‑scientist education.

Held on 31 October 2025 at Wanland Café in Tai Kok Tsui, the reading tea gathering invited Dr Roger Lee, Assistant Professor at Lingnan University Science Unit, and Mr Roy Cheung, a PhD student researching solitary bees at the same university, to share their experiences as environmental researchers. Dr Li Dongyang from IRCCS, who contributed to the preparation of the project, provided insights from cultural studies, enriching the discussion with perspectives on human and non-human coexistence. Participants shared personal reflections on their relationships with insects and urban life, fostering an open dialogue that bridged science, art, and the humanities.

On 29 November, the project extended into the field with ‘Bee Stories, Bee Words, Bee Lip‑balm’ (「蜂人·蜂語·蜂唇」) at So Yuen Bee Farm in Leng Pei Village, Fanling. Participants observed sustainable beekeeping practices, engaged in honey‑harvesting demonstrations, and created natural beeswax lip balms under the guidance of local apiarists.

The Bee Dialogues series deepened EdUHK’s role as a bridge between academic knowledge and the everyday cultivation of ecological care. Drawing on the data and ideas generated from the programme, the project team will develop an education toolkit and prepare publications exploring cultural, environmental, and interdisciplinary approaches to learning.

 

 

 

 

Participants discuss interdisciplinary perspectives at the ‘Bee Dialogues’ reading tea gathering

 

 

 

 

Participants observe sustainable apiculture at So Yuen Bee Farm 

 

 

 

 

Participants observe sustainable apiculture at So Yuen Bee Farm