FHM Research Bulletin - Issue 12

Arts participation and social–emotional competence among children in rural China: a cross-sectional survey study of the Arts Immersion Policy in Anhui province (CCA)

Dr Luo Ning Luna conducted research examining the relationship between school-based and community-based arts participation and social–emotional competence among rural students. Her study identifies family-structure disparities and finds that arts engagement is positively associated with social–emotional competence, with stronger benefits for children left behind. 

• The study, published in Arts Education Policy Review, a leading journal that addresses policy and practices in the arts, reports findings from a cross-sectional survey of 7,889 rural students (ages 12–15) from 45 public schools in Anhui.
• The survey collects data on family structure, participation in arts activities and social–emotional competence.
• Left-behind and single-parent groups report lower arts participation and lower social–emotional competence than dual-parent peers.
• Arts participation was found to be associated with higher social–emotional competence, with these positive associations being even stronger for vulnerable groups, particularly in emotional regulation and openness.
• Arts programmes work best alongside family, school and community support and when they are well-designed to teach teamwork, communication and emotional skills, they lead to stronger social–emotional development.

For more information, please contact Dr Luo Ning Luna at nluo@eduhk.hk.

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Revolutionising Traditional Music: The Recohachi’s Journey (CCA)

Dr Koji Matsunobu in CCA invented the recohachi, a hybrid instrument blending East and West, serving as a learning tool for traditional vertical flutes. This innovation has gained international recognition, winning awards and patents in 2022/23, and attracting diverse users from beginners to seniors, including those who could not play the instruments anymore. 2025 marked another milestone in its development.

• Collaborated with Master Nomura Hozan, one of the 116 so-called 'Living National Treasures' (人間国宝), who are officially designated by the Japanese government as Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties in arts and crafts (重要無形文化財保持者).
• Master Nomura, the only shakuhachi player with this rank, requested more recohachi products for future activities.
• Presented the recohachi at the April 2025 International Shakuhachi Festival in Texas, gaining new professional users.
• John Kaizan Neptune, renowned shakuhachi player and maker, visited Hong Kong to collaborate with Koji on 3D musical instrument development.
• Performed live with the recohachi at the 2025 Grieg Academy Music Education symposium in Norway.
• The recohachi continues to gain recognition for its innovation and versatility across musical communities.

For more information, please contact Dr Matsunobu at kmatsunobu@eduhk.hk.

Dr Shang Awarded China’s National Press and Publication Administration Funding for Publishing Ancient Japanese Annotations on Major Song Dynasty Poets (LCS)

Dr Haifeng Aaron Shang’s project, “Two Kinds of Shōmono-style Commentary of the Japanese Late Middle Ages on Poems of Su Shi and Huang Tingjian – Tenka haku & Chochuko,” received funding on August 26, 2025, from the National Press and Publication Administration of China. 

• The project was included in the approved list for “The 2025 National Funding Programme for the Compilation and Publication of Ancient Chinese Texts.”
• The resulting scholarly book will be published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, an internationally renowned academic publisher based in Shanghai.
• The publisher will receive a subsidy of RMB 400,000 from the National Press and Publication Administration.
• This new project closely aligns with two other RGC-funded research initiatives led by Dr Shang: GRF, 2021/22: A Japanese Zen Poet-monk’s Interpretation and Reimagining of Su Shi – A Study on Banri Shūkyū’s Shōmono-style Commentary Tenka haku [The Brightest of the World]; and ECS, 2018/19: The Study on The Incense Burnt behind Curtains – Japanese Zen Master Banri Shūkyū’s Annotation of the Essential Poems of Huang Tingjian.

For more information, please contact Dr Shang at hshang@eduhk.hk.

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Interweaving Religion and Poetry with CHL at “Versifying the Divine: Workshop on Daoism and Classical Chinese Poetry” (CHL)

The Department of Chinese Language Studies successfully held an academic event entitled “Versifying the Divine: Workshop on Daoism and Classical Chinese Poetry” on 5 December 2025, gathering scholars from Greater China, Japan, the United States, France, and Belgium for cross-disciplinary dialogues on Daoist scriptures, poetic imagery, and Daoist thought, fostering cross-regional and interdisciplinary dialogue in the study of Daoist literature. 

• The panels travelled through time with 12 scholars, exploring Daoist poetry from medieval to early modern period of China.
• The invited speakers examined poetry in Daoist canons, poetic religious writing, musical notation, chanting traditions, cultural memory and spirit-writing texts.
• The discussions intersected scriptural interpretation, religious language, cultural historiography, and phonological studies, exploring panoramic research trajectories. 
• Professor Chan Timothy Wai Keung, HoD of CHL and convener of the workshop, concluded that the event has deepened understanding of Daoist poetry and inspired interdisciplinary research.
• Professor Chan hopefully expected more platforms for greater international exchange in the field of religious literature. 

For more information, please contact the organiser at daoistpoetry.eduhk@gmail.com, and Prof Timothy Chan at chant@eduhk.hk.

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Empowering AI Natives through IDLE and GenAI in Rural Indonesia (ELE)

This project showcases ELE’s commitment to translating cutting edge research into social impact. Through international collaboration led by Dr Lee Ju Seong, this project empowered rural teachers and students in Indonesia by integrating Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) and GenAI tools to support equitable, future ready English education. Key activities and outcomes included:

• Delivering a professional development workshop at a remote Indonesian middle school;
• Sharing ELE research on IDLE and deep learning for AI native learners;
• Guiding teachers in designing meaningful, low cost IDLE learning experiences;
• Introducing students to free voice based GenAI tools for English practice and addressing digital access gaps with locally adapted, inclusive solutions; and
• Strengthening global partnerships for community focused educational innovation.

For more information, please contact Dr Lee Ju Seong at jslee@eduhk.hk.