Embracing Trans-disciplinarity in the 2nd International Forum for Emerging Scholars in Humanities

The 2nd International Forum for Emerging Scholars in Humanities, hosted by The Education University of Hong Kong and co-organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and Université Paris Cité, was successfully held on 23 October 2025. Through intensive presentations and peer feedback, the forum aimed to strengthen emerging scholars’ research skills, foster a network of mutual support among young academics, and cultivate future directions for academic collaboration.

The forum opened with welcoming remarks from Prof Wang Lixun and Prof Poon Ming-kay (CUHK), and was moderated by EdUHK’s outstanding PhD student Dai Yanmei. Keynote speeches by Prof Poon and Prof Richard Van Ness Simmons (HKU) in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively accentuated their scholarly milestones. Their insights on research methods and approaches, implementation, and publication experiences offered invaluable inspiration to the next generation of researchers.

In the full-day programme, young scholars from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Macao, France, and Germany participated in eight themed panels to present original findings and receive comments from established scholars across various disciplines. The dynamic exchange in the panel discussions not only transcended disciplinary borders and navigated research paradigms but also explored the intersection of new technologies and humanities research, leaving scholars both eager to experiment and filled with hope.

At the closing ceremony, Prof Timothy W.K. Chan and Prof Simmons shared their academic journeys, emphasising that maintaining lasting friendships among scholars and actively expanding global research networks are vital keys to success. They also encouraged early-career scholars to boldly develop their academic expertise with conviction and perseverance. Dr Wang Cong concluded the forum by expressing heartfelt thanks to all attendees—both online and in person—and to the colleagues and postgraduate students whose dedication made the forum possible. The next forum is much anticipated.

 

 

 

 

The Forum’s group photo

 

 

 

 

Joyful exchanges in panel discussion