Dr. LAU, Pui Yan Flora 劉珮欣博士

Associate Head and Associate Professor
Curriculum Vitae

Contact

12 Wai Tsui Crescent, Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong.
Phone: 21048241
Email: pylau@hksyu.edu

Academic and Professional Qualification

D.Phil. in Sociology, University of Oxford
M.Sc. in Sociology, University of Oxford
M.Phil. in Sociology, University of Hong Kong
B.Soc.Sc. in Sociology, University of Hong Kong

Specialism and Research Interests

Sociology of health
Cancer survivorship
Sexuality and gender
Ethnic minorities
Forced migration
Self and identity
Cross-cultural research

Courses

SOC 259          Race and Ethnicity
SOC 337          Criminology
SOC 356          Gender Relations
SOC 358          Poverty, Social Policy and Social Innovation
SOC 400          Senior Seminar
SOC 401-2       Honours Project
 

Selected Publications

My research examines how social inequality, institutional arrangements and community resources shape the health, selfhood and social inclusion of marginalised populations. I use qualitative and cross-cultural approaches to study forced migration, ethnic minority experiences, rehabilitation, bereavement and educational mobility, with a focus on policy and practice implications.

Social Research and Inclusive Methodologies:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2026). Researching Forced Migration and Health of Migrant Populations in Cross-Cultural Contexts [Guide]. Sage Research Methods: Inclusive Research Methodologies. London: Sage Publishing. 
• Lau, P. Y. F. (Ed.) (2026). Sage Research Methods: Inclusive Research Methodologies [How-To Guides]. London: Sage Publishing. (Responsible for the thematic section ‘Building Trust: Power Dynamics and Research Relationships’) (Edited Online Sourcebook)
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2012) “Research”, Ethical Careers Day, organised by Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) and StudentHubs, University of Oxford, March 2012. P. 36. (Invited Public Contribution)

Forced Migration and Social Inclusion:

Journal Articles:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2021). Empowerment in asylum seekers regime? The roles of policies, non-profit sector and refugee community organizations in Hong Kong. Journal of Refugee Studies, 34(1), 305-327.
• Lau, P. Y. F., & Gheorghiu, I. (2018). Vanishing Selves under Hong Kong’s Unified Screening Mechanism. Cultural Diversity in China, 3(1), 21-35.  

Book Review:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2022). [Review of the book Leisure and forced migration: lives lived in asylum systems, Edited by Nicola de Martini Ugolotti and Jayne Caudwell]. Leisure Studies, 41(4), 603-604.

Health, Illness and Rehabilitation:

Journal Articles:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2020). Fighting COVID-19: Social capital and community mobilisation in Hong Kong. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 40(9/10), 1059-1067.

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2014). Coping with the death of singleton children in China: the role of social capital. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 34(5/6), 401-415.
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2012). Rethinking asset-based community development strategies in post-earthquake China: The role of social capital. Poverty and Public Policy, 4(3), 35-48.  

Book Chapter and Reference Work:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (Forthcoming). Bereavement and loss. In D. Gu & M. Dupre (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Gerontology and Population Aging (2nd ed.). Springer, Cham. 
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2021). Bereavement and loss. In D. Gu and M. Dupre (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Gerontology and Population Aging (pp. 637-643). Springer, Cham. 
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2013). Advocating the rights of people with disabilities in China: community-based rehabilitation approach. In G. Agarwal, S. Choudhary, and R. Gupta (Eds.), Human Rights in Changing Times (pp. 225-246). Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.  

Social Inequality, Boundaries and Social Mobility:

Journal Articles:

• Li, K.H., & Lau, P. Y. F. (2023). The influence of social class on internship participation and outcomes in higher education: The case of Hong Kong. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 45(4), 1277-1290. 
• Choy, W.C., & Lau, P. Y. F. (2019). Cross-border to Taiwan but not China: The Decision-making Mechanisms of Hong Kong Students Pursuing Higher Education in Taiwan. Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, 15(1), 21-36.
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2009). Sociology of publishing: the role of social ties in external recruitment. International Journal of the Book, 6(3), 105-112. 
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2002). Symbolic boundaries and domains of social relationship: a preliminary study of the normative formation of the Hong Kong middle classes. E-Journal on Hong Kong Cultural and Social Studies, 1(2), 247-266.  

Book, Book Chapter and Reference Work:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2025). [Review of the book Breaking the Poverty Cycle: The Human Basis for Sustainable Development, by Pick, Susan and Jenna Sirkin]. Poverty and Public Policy, 17(2), e70016.
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2015). Personal merits and social capital: The experiences of getting ahead among South Asians Minorities in Hong Kong. In C. Johnson (Ed.), Social Capital: Global Perspectives, Management Strategies and Effectiveness (pp.145-156). New York: Nova Science Publisher.  
• Lau, P. Y. F. (2012). Recruitment and promotion: human resources management in book publishing. Saarbrücken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN: 978-3-659-16647-1.

Research Report:

• Lau, P. Y. F. (2015). Breaking through the Barriers – Ethnic Minority Success Stories and their Implications for Policy Intervention in Hong Kong. Final Report for Funding Programmes of Research Projects on Equal Opportunities 2013-14. Hong Kong: Equal Opportunities Commission.

• ‘After fighting cancer: How do breast cancer (BC) and gynaecological cancer (GC) survivors negotiate and reconstruct selfhood in intimate relationship and the workplace in Hong Kong’, HK$805,514 funded by Research Grant Council (RGC), Faculty Development Scheme (FDS), 2025/26 Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector, Jan 2026 – Dec 2027. Ref no.: UGC/FDS15/H26/25
• ‘How do ethnic minorities cope with cancer in Hong Kong? The role of public health services, social network and religion’, HK$947,631 funded by Research Grant Council (RGC), Faculty Development Scheme (FDS), 2021/22 Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector, Jan 2022 – Dec 2023. Ref no.: UGC/FDS15/H04/21
• ‘People without identity: Exploring the social experiences of asylum seekers in Hong Kong’, HK$437,000 funded by Research Grant Council (RGC), Faculty Development Scheme (FDS), 2015/16 Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector. Jan 2015 – Dec 2016. Ref no.: UGC/FDS15/H06/15
• ‘Breaking through the barriers – Ethnic minority success stories and their implications for policy intervention in Hong Kong’, for Department of Sociology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, HK$8,900 funded by Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). Ref no.: RFP2013/14-102
• ‘The expectation and decision making process for fresh university graduates: the role of social ties’, HK$18,600 funded by Research and Staff Development Committee (RSDC), Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Mar 2014 – Aug 2015

• ‘Desperate or self-sufficient? An investigation of the emotional wellbeing of older adults when their primary caretakers are not around in Hong Kong’, HK$7,040, Summer Research Internship Programme offered by Wan Chow Yuk Fan Centre for Interdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice and Research (CIEBPR), Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Jul – Aug 2022.

• ‘Program evaluation of the Community Rehabilitation Network for serving people with disability in Earthquake Zones of Sichuan’ (with WHO Collaborating Centre for Rehabilitation of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation and Huaxi Hospital, under HKU Knowledge Exchange (KE) Strategy, HK$150,000 funded by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Sept 2010 – Feb 2012.
• ‘Child Poverty in Urban China – A study on children living in low-income and poor families in Beijing’, HK$80,000 funded by Small Project Funding, the University of Hong Kong. Oct 2010 – Mar 2012.

• ‘Innovating E-Systems for a Smarter Future’, the 17th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management and E-Learning (IC4e 2026), hosted by Kyushu University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan, 1st to 4th April 2026
• ‘Handling mental health issues of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong: The role of NGO and community life’, hosted by Department of English and Communication at PolyU in collaboration with Pathfinders and Mission for Migrant Workers on 24th May 2024
• ‘Inspirational message’, a short speech presented at Cancer Awareness Symposium for Migrants: You are not alone, hosted by Filipino Migrants Support for Cancer Society (FILMCASS HK) on 12th November 2023
• Invited speaker, ‘Breast and cervical cancer: places to seek help in Hong Kong’, hosted by Social Justice for Migrant Workers on 26th February 2023
• Panellist of the discussion, ‘The essence of building resilience in the multicultural community’, Ethnic Minorities Multicultural Assembly 2022, hosted by Health In Action on 26th November 2022
• Invited speaker, ‘Careers in Academia’, St Cross Careers Programme Hilary Term 2022, hosted by St Cross College, University of Oxford on 2nd March 2022
• Invited speaker, ‘Culture of tourism in Hong Kong: a sociological perspective（從社會學的角度看香港旅遊文化）’, at香港文學文化座談會, co-organized by Departments of Chinese Language and Literature, History and Sociology at HKSYU on 22nd January 2022

• Lau, P.Y.F. (2026, Sept). ‘Negotiating selfhood after cancer: intimacy, work and identity among breast and gynaecological cancer survivors in Hong Kong’. Paper presented at British Sociological Association (BSA) Medical Sociology Conference 2026, Northumbria University, UK.
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2026, May). ‘Resilience through Community Connection and Culturally Competent Healthcare Service: Cancer Management for South Asians in Hong Kong’. Paper presented at International Conference on Human Resilience: Navigating Life Changes & Challenges, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, HK.
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2025, July). Filling in the service gap of primary healthcare: Towards a culturally competent environment for ethnic minority population in Hong Kong. Paper presented at the CPCE Health Conference 2025, Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s College of Professional and Continuing Education, HK.
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2023, December). Mobilizing healthcare resources through social capital: the case of ethnic minority cancer patients in Hong Kong. Paper to be presented at the 24th Annual Conference of the Hong Kong Sociological Association, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HK.
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2023, September). A critical evaluation of cultural competence in medical sector: perspectives of ethnic minority cancer patients and local healthcare professionals in Hong Kong. Paper to be presented at BSA Medical Sociology Conference 2023, University of Sussex, UK. (Online)
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2023, August). Researching asylum seekers and ethnic minority cancer patients in Hong Kong: some methodological and ethical concerns. Paper presented at Centre for Experimental Social Science, Nuffield College, in partnership with the UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific, Oxford, UK.
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2023, June). Healing through social media: Experiences of ethnic minority cancer patients and survivors in Hong Kong. Paper presented at RC16 Sociology of Health, XX International Sociological Association, World Congress of Sociology. Melbourne, Australia. 
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2023, June). Surviving detention: how do service providers contribute to social adjustment and integration of asylum seekers in Hong Kong?. Paper presented at Society for Hong Kong Studies  (SHKS) Annual Conference 2023, HK. 
• Lau, P.Y.F. (2022, December). Mobilizing social capital in times of social distancing: digital communication among ethnic minority cancer patients in Hong Kong. Paper presented at the 23rd Annual Conference of the Hong Kong Sociological Association, Lingnan University, HK.

• External Reviewer, RGC FDS proposals (Dec 2025)
• Mentor, Mentoring Programme for Women Leaders: Empowerment and Inclusion, The Women’s Foundation (Oct 2025 – present)
• Member, Selection Interview Board, Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships and Scholarships Hong Kong 2024/25, 2025/26
• External Examiner, General Education courses for Caritas Bianchi College of Careers (CBCC) and Saint Francis University (Oct 2024 – present) 
• External Examiner, PhD thesis, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University (Dec 2023)
• Academic Assessor, Advanced Diploma in Applied Social Sciences (Psychology/Counselling) and Advanced Diploma in Applied Social Sciences (Corrections), HKU SPACE (Jul 2023 – present)
• External Examiner, Department of General Education and Language Studies of Caritas Bianchi Colleage of Careers (CBCC) and School of Humanities and Languages of Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE) (Jan 2023 – present)
• Member of Multidisciplinary Review Panel, New Frontiers in Research Fund 2022 Special Call – Research for Postpandemic Recovery, Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) (May – Dec 2022)
• Session Co-organizer, RC31 Sociology of Migration, XX International Sociological Association (ISA), World Congress of Sociology. Session title: Migration in Asia – Integration and Cultural Diversity. Melbourne, Australia, 25th June – 1st July 2023
• Member of Programme Review Panel, HKU SPACE (2022)
• Editorial Advisory Board Member, International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy (2021 - now)
• External Examiner/ External Academic Advisor, Lingnan Institute of Further Education (LIFE) (2013-2020/ 2020-23)

• Series Editor, Sage Research Methods: Inclusive Research Methodologies. SAGE Publishing, London (2025-26). Edited the thematic section ‘Building Trust: Power Dynamics and Research Relationships’.
• Editorial Advisory Committee Member, Sage Research Methods: Inclusive Research Methodologies. SAGE Publishing, London (2025-26).
• Guest Editor, PLOS One (2025 – present) 
• Editor, Anthropology and Ethnology Open Access Journal (AEOAJ) (2022 – present)
• Editorial Advisory Board Member, International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy (2021)