Application Due Date: January 31, 2025
The Global Studies Program at the University of Chicago is pleased to invite applications for the 2025 L.C.K. Yung Global Studies Summer Fellowship in Hong Kong. This is an inter-institutional and interdisciplinary research program between the Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong. Students will work directly on faculty-led projects to explore topics in the following areas: politics, language, history and public culture, global finance, migration, health and well-being, and technology. The Global Studies Program will provide funds to cover travel, lodging, and living expenses in Hong Kong for the research assistants. We will also provide administrative and research support in the form of mentoring, as well as methodological training at the campus in Hong Kong.
Accepted University of Chicago College students are also eligible for a $1,000 Metcalf Grant Fellowship through the University of Chicago Career Advancement.
To apply, students will need to submit a cover letter along with the names of three references and their contact information. The cover letter needs to specify which project they would like to serve on, their research interests, as well as any methodological skills and language skills they bring to the project.
All applications need to be submitted via BOX (https://uchicago.app.box.com/f/ec3b2fde0c4a414fbc770e0a025c3a13) as a Word or PDF document named LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_PROJECTNUMBER (for example, applicant John Smith interested in Project One would submit a document titled Smith_John_ProjectOne.doc)
Please see the list of faculty-led projects below.
Project #ONE
Revolutionizing Retailing: The Sincere Co. and the History of the Hong Kong Department Store
Prof. Kenneth Pomeranz, Faculty Director, University of Chicago Campus in Hong Kong
The Sincere Company was Hong Kong’s first department store, and the first Chinese-owned department store anywhere. At its peak, it operated stores in numerous cities, several factories, an insurance company, and more. It is smaller today, but still operates in Hong Kong. It helped transform shopping in HK, vastly expanded public-facing female employment, and lastingly influenced the city’s culture.
We are creating a temporary exhibit for the UChicago Hong Kong Campus’ Heritage Center, opening in Autumn, 2025, to coincide with the company’s 125th anniversary. We will utilize archives, newspapers, and other materials available in HK, and may conduct interviews as well.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Reading knowledge of Chinese (though not necessarily fluency, but enough to identify valuable materials and do a preliminary assessment of contents) is crucial. Some speaking ability in mandarin and/or Cantonese also helpful, though interviews can probably be done in English. Interest in material culture and/or museum work helpful, but not necessary. Basic library research skills will be important.
Project #TWO
Workshop on Reconstructing Philippine Politics Using Historical and Ethnographic Approaches
Prof. Marco Garrido, Department of Sociology, University of Chicago
Philippine politics has long been described using a series of bad words. From the 1960s through the 1980s, these words were mostly cultural. Since about the 1990s, Philippine scholars have moved away from culture to describe politics in more structural terms. The keywords were different—patronage, political dynasties, corruption—but just as negative. These words are not just another way of seeing politics in the Philippines but the modal, if not, for many Philippine scholars, the only way of seeing it. These bad words are not just seen as good descriptions of Philippine politics but are naturalized, or taken for the reality of the country. They shape not only how Filipinos see politics but how they feel about it, and, by extension, how they feel about themselves.
We assembled a group of scholars around the need to look beyond “bad words” models and develop a more complex, dynamic, and hopeful picture of Philippine politics, and, from July 4-5, 2024, held a symposium on Reconstructing Philippine Politics at the University of Chicago’s Hong Kong Center. It was a huge success. Over the course of our discussion, we forged a common agenda and decided on a way forward. This July 11-12, 2025, we will be bringing the group together again but this time to workshop full papers with the goal of producing a coherent, potentially groundbreaking manuscript which we can then submit to the Ateneo de Manila University Press for publication.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
The RAs (1-2) will have substantive and administrative tasks. Administratively, the RAs will work with Angela Siu of the Hong Kong Center to organize the workshop, including day-of duties such as timekeeping and note-taking and day-after duties such as following up with participants. Substantively, they will debrief with the PI (Marco Garrido) to discuss the project before and after the workshop. They will be required to read all the papers. They may be asked, in consultation with the PI, to develop small projects that help amplify the impact of the endeavor.
Project #THREE
How the Language We Speak Influences the Ways We Make Decisions
Prof. Boaz Keysar, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago
This research project aims to experimentally test how communicating in different languages influences the way people think and make decisions. Research suggests that the language people use during communication can influence their thinking and decision-making processes. However, our understanding of why these differences occur remains limited. This project seeks to generate new scientific insights into the mechanisms behind these language-driven differences in decision making.
Main Learning Outcomes:
- Learning how to design and program randomized experiments.
- Learning how to design experimental materials.
- Learning how to manage recruitment of participants.
- Learning how to preregister experiments.
- Learning how to collect quantitative data.
- Learning how to clean, analyze and interpret quantitative data.
- Learning how to document experimental work.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
- Some experience or interest in working experimentally.
- Some experience or interest in recruitment of participants.
- Some experience or interest in programming experiments using Qualtrics.
- Interest in conducting statistical analysis.
- Interest in research on decision making and/or language use and communication.
- Preferred but not necessary: Fluency in spoken and written Cantonese.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
Project #FOUR
Entangled Economies: Sovereign Wealth Funds Influence on the Global Economy
Prof. Kimberly Kay Hoang, Department of Sociology, University of Chicago
Since the 2008 financial crisis, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) from countries like China, Singapore, and Kuwait have injected hundreds of billions into the global economy, serving as tools of economic influence. Nationally, SWFs align financial power with strategic foreign policy goals. Locally, foreign ownership through SWFs dilutes domestic shareholders, sparking tensions between local and foreign investors. This project explores these dynamics, mapping a transnational network of “spiderweb capitalism” linking China and the U.S. Using primary and secondary sources it examines how sovereign wealth funds reshape global power and intertwines with the political interests of elites in developed and developing economies.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Students with an interest in questions around global political economy. Any student with an interest in sociology, political science, anthropology, economic, public policy are welcome. Students working on this project will help to gather data (newspaper articles, government reports, original and secondary sources), organize the data, and begin analyzing the data. Python coding skills and reading knowledge in Chinese are necessary.
Project #FIVE
Monitoring Global Migration
Prof. Guy Abel, Department of Sociology, The University of Hong Kong
Data to monitor global migration is messy. Different international agencies collect and organise migration data over varying political geographies, time periods, definitions and disaggregations by demographic characteristics. In this project, we will harmonise past and current global migration data from a range of international agencies, including the United Nations and the World Bank. The database will allow us to explore differences in the migration data and the impact of how changing political geographies have directly impacted the level and trends of migration over time and provide migration scholars with a comprehensive data source for global migration.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Essential:
- Interest in migration
- R statistical software, especially using the tidyverse packages to manipulate data.
- Data analytical skills to visualise and understand migration data.
Desirable:
- Experience using GitHub, developing R packages, using and creating APIs.
PROJECT #SIX
The Biden Administration’s Chip Sanctions on China – Is it a Developmental Deterrent to China?
Mark Barnekow, Executive Director, The University of Chicago Campus in Hong Kong
The Biden Administration’s semiconductor sanctions on China aim to restrict its access to advanced chip-making technologies to curb technological and military advancements. This research project investigates whether these sanctions serve as a strategic deterrent or escalate geopolitical tensions, affecting the global tech supply chain and national security dynamics.
Key Questions:
- What specific sanctions has the Biden Administration imposed on China’s semiconductor industry?
- How has China responded to these sanctions, both diplomatically and economically?
- What impact have the sanctions had on the global semiconductor supply chain?
- Do these sanctions function as a deterrent or provoke further technological competition?
- What are the long-term implications for U.S.-China relations and global tech leadership?
Approach:
Participants will work collaboratively to design the research framework, which will include creating questionnaires and interview guides. In-person or virtual interviews will be conducted with academic experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and international relations experts. Students will gather and analyze data from policy documents, trade reports, and case studies focusing on the United States, China, and other major semiconductor-producing regions, including the role Hong Kong may be playing in this area.
A comprehensive final report will be produced, summarizing the history, current situation, and potential future developments in the global semiconductor industry, including findings, conclusions, and policy recommendations.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
No prior technical or policy background is required. Students with a passion for technology policy, international relations, economics, law, or journalism are encouraged to apply. Relevant interests include academia, consulting, government, policy studies, law, technology regulation, supply chain strategies and global business.
PROJECT #SEVEN
Does the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences Research on Institutions’ Role in Economic Prosperity Apply to China?
Mark Barnekow, Executive Director, The University of Chicago Campus in Hong Kong
The 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to James A. Robinson, Daron Acemoglu, and Simon Johnson for their groundbreaking work on the role of institutions in driving economic prosperity. Their research highlights how inclusive political and economic institutions foster sustained development and reduce inequality. This project explores the applicability of their institutional theory to China, a country that has experienced rapid economic growth under its own unique political and economic framework.
Key Questions:
- How do the core principles of Robinson, Acemoglu, and Johnson’s research align with China’s economic development model?
- To what extent has China’s unique institutional structure contributed to its economic rise?
- Can China’s experience be explained through the framework of inclusive versus extractive institutions?
- What lessons can global policymakers draw from comparing China’s development with the researchers’ findings?
- Are there signs that China's institutional model is sustainable for long-term economic prosperity?
- How does Hong Kong fit into the theoretical framework, and will China’s institutional model apply, or will a hybrid model be adopted?
Approach:
Students will employ a comparative analysis approach, using China as a case study within the theoretical framework developed by the Nobel-winning economists. Key methods include reviewing academic literature, conducting policy analysis, and examining economic and governance indicators. Interviews with economists, political scientists, and policy experts should supplement the analysis.
The final report will assess whether China represents a challenge or validation of the Nobel Prize-winning research, providing nuanced policy insights into the evolving relationship between institutions and economic development.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including economics, political science, international relations, and public policy, are encouraged to apply. This project is ideal for those interested in global development, policy analysis, and comparative political economy, particularly within the context of China’s economic and governance model.
PROJECT #EIGHT
The Quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
Mark Barnekow, Executive Director, The University of Chicago Campus in Hong Kong
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems capable of human-level cognition, a key goal in the field of AI. This project aims to explore the global development of AI, focusing on historical milestones and current advancements, particularly in the United States and China. Students will conduct interviews, analyze media reports, and examine relevant data to trace the history of AI’s development. This foundational research will set the stage for a comprehensive assessment of the current AI landscape, including major products, technological capabilities, leading companies, and emerging opportunities and threats.
Key Questions:
- Who are the key players in AI development?
- How do their offerings differ in the AI marketplace?
- What risks does AI’s continued evolution pose?
- What existing safeguards are in place, and what additional measures are needed?
- How can AI benefit society (e.g., healthcare, education, environment) while addressing ethical dilemmas such as bias, privacy, and job displacement?
- When might AGI be achieved, based on current technological progress?
Approach:
Students will collaborate to design the research framework, including developing a questionnaire and an interview guide. In-person or virtual interviews will be expected. Students will identify primary and secondary sources and investigate and analyze publicly available data. The research will cover the history, current state, and future of AI in the United States, China, and Hong Kong. The final report will summarize historical insights, findings from interviews, current market analysis, and policy recommendations for advancing AI responsibly.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Students do not need a background in technology or coding but must have a passion for the history and future of technology and its societal impact. Students interested in academia, technology, consulting, economics, journalism, government and policy studies, law, politics, social enterprises, social media, and think tanks are encouraged to apply.
PROJECT #NINE
Evaluating the Economic and Geopolitical Impact of the Trump Administration’s Tariff Plans on Major Trading Partners and the U.S. Economy
Mark Barnekow, Executive Director, The University of Chicago Campus in Hong Kong
Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on imported goods, particularly from major trading partners such as China, represent a significant shift in U.S. trade policy. These measures aim to reduce trade deficits and incentivize domestic manufacturing but risk disrupting global trade dynamics and escalating tensions with key economic partners. This project examines the potential economic, political, and geopolitical consequences of these tariffs, focusing on their impact on global supply chains, U.S.-China relations, and the broader international trade framework.
Key Questions:
- What are the key components of Trump’s proposed tariff plans, and which industries and countries are most affected?
- How do China and other major trading partners plan to respond to these tariff proposals? What steps are the currently being taken and what industry sectors and products will be most impacted?
- What are the projected short- and long-term economic effects of these tariffs on the U.S. and global economies? Ultimately who pays for tariffs and how might tariffs exacerbate inflation in the U.S?
- How might these tariffs reshape global supply chains and trade relationships and what role do China, Hong Kong and other countries in Asia play?
- Do these measures serve as a viable strategy for boosting U.S. manufacturing, or do they risk retaliatory trade wars?
- How do these policies align with broader geopolitical trends, such as the rise of protectionism and shifting alliances?
This project will utilize a multidisciplinary research framework, combining economic analysis, trade policy evaluation, and geopolitical assessment. Students will:
- Review policy documents, trade agreements, and relevant legislation to understand the scope and intent of the proposed tariffs.
- Analyze trade and economic data to quantify the potential impacts on key industries and countries.
- Conduct interviews with trade experts, policymakers, and economists to gain insights into the broader implications of these tariffs.
- Investigate the history of the use of tariffs and case studies of previous tariff implementations to identify lessons and potential parallels.
- Produce a final report outlining findings, conclusions, and recommendations for policymakers to mitigate risks while achieving economic objectives.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
Students from diverse academic backgrounds, including economics, political science, international relations, law, and business are welcome to apply. This project is ideal for those interested in global trade, economic policy, international diplomacy, and the intersection of politics and economics. Applicants should be eager to engage in critical analysis and contribute to meaningful discussions about the future of global trade and economic cooperation.
PROJECT #TEN
The Work of Refuge
Dr. Wesley Attewell, Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong
This project attends to the everyday labour that goes into making refugee life possible in spaces of temporary or permanent resettlement. Using the post-1975 exodus of Vietnamese boat people to Hong Kong as a historical geographical fulcrum, it argues that a more nuanced understanding of the refugee experience must account for their (self)positioning as working subjects. Through a close reading of documents sourced from Hong Kong’s Public Records Office, I identify two forms of labour that sustained refugee life in Hong Kong. They are: the waged labour of precarious employment; and the care labour provided by community organizations and volunteers.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
- Some experience or interest in working with/alongside Asian diasporic communities, either in North America or in Asia
- Some experience or interest in conducting archival research
- A familiarity with relevant work (on domestic work, global care chains, labour migration, gendered organizing, logistics/infrastructure and so on) in human geography and Asian/Asian diaspora studies
- Good close reading and analytical skills
- Being able to read Vietnamese or traditional Chinese script would be ideal, but not essential
PROJECT #ELEVEN
Improving Holistic Well-being of College Students through Body Movement
Carrie K. W. Li, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
This study is to explore whether a novel body movement intervention program can improve college students’ holistic well-being. A randomized control trial design is used. Data on EEG and other biomarkers will be collected.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
The essential qualities I look for in the RA are their passion, curiosity, and sensitivity to this topic. Experienced in handling EEG or other biomarkers data are preferred. The essential skills include doing quantitative data analysis (analytical skills; preferably excellent at using STATA or SPSS), doing qualitative data analysis (analytical skills), and doing literature review (reading and writing skills).
PROJECT #TWELVE
Understanding Economic Violence in Intimate Partner Relationship in Hong Kong
Carrie K. W. Li, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global phenomenon with profound short-term and long-term negative impacts. IPV manifests itself in different forms. Economic abuse, which is an invisible form of intimate partner violence, is recently identified in the literature. The study aims to understand women’s IPV experiences in Eastern and Chinese cultural contexts. This project will conduct interviews and surveys with women survivors in Hong Kong.
Essential and Preferred Skills:
The essential qualities for this position are passion, curiosity, and sensitivity in the topic of IPV and gender. The essential skills include doing quantitative data analysis (analytical skills; preferably excellent at using STATA or SPSS), doing qualitative data analysis (analytical skills), and doing literature review (reading and writing skills). Language skills, such as understanding Chinese, is a bonus.
Project #THIRTEEN
Trust Initiated Project: District-based Caregiver Support Units Project
Dr. Vivian Weiqun Lou, Sau Po Centre on Ageing/Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
This project aims to develop a screening-guided multi-component intervention programme in district-based caregiver support units in Hong Kong, with the primary aim of facilitating responsive and effective risk screening and service matching to support caregivers of older adults. The four specific objectives are: 1) to conduct surveys for developing and validating a multi-dimension risk screening tool that can be self-administered by caregivers; 2) to examine the effectiveness of adapted evidence-based interventions with randomised controlled trials and a design-based natural experiment; 3) to establish a multi-component caregiver support service delivery model and test its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness; and 4) to evaluate the process of implementation of the screening-guided multi-component intervention using logic model. Multiple sources of quantitative and qualitative data will be collected at different stages with different groups of stakeholders to evaluate the process, and short-term, medium-term and long-term outcomes of this project.
Essential skills:
- a highly motivated team player
- passionate about enhancing the well-being of caregivers and older adults
- relevant experiences in social sciences research and gerontology subject, including coursework, volunteer work, student helper/summer intern, etc
- a good command of written and spoken English
- proficiency in MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
- good interpersonal and organizational skills
Preferred skills (but not a must):
- good command of written and spoken Chinese (fluency in Cantonese would be an advantage)
- basic knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata) and design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Canva)