Drs Henry Ho Chun-yip, Jiang Da, Liman Li Man-wai and Tong Xiuhong at the Faculty of Education and Human Development, The Education University of Hong Kong, were honoured by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), which presented them with the Rising Star Award in January 2020. The award recognises outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research career.

Dr Ho has developed positive psychology interventions to promote well-being at the individual, family, community and city level. He has also investigated the psychosocial determinants of work-related well-being. Dr Ho said, “This achievement would not have been possible without the support from my supervisor, collaborators and colleagues. I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Department, Faculty and University for providing me with the valuable opportunity and resources to conduct my research. I simply could not have asked for a more supportive work culture.”

Dr Jiang received the award in recognition of her research into the impact of emotions and social relationships on well-being in older adulthood across cultures. “I am grateful for the care and support from the Faculty, the Department of Special Education and Counselling, my supervisor, and all my collaborators," said Dr Jiang. "I wish to contribute more to the Faculty and the Department.”

Dr Li’s research examines mental health, decision making and social relationships from socio-cultural and ecological perspectives. She said, “As a researcher in the early stage of my career, I appreciate the opportunities provided by the University, and am grateful to many colleagues and collaborators for their support and contribution. I will continue to unpack the complex relationships between ecology and human psychological functioning in my research journey.”

Dr Tong’s research focuses on semantic and syntactic aspects of reading development and impairment from a cross-cultural and neuroscience perspective. “This success would not have be possible without the support from my PhD supervisor, collaborators and friends," said Dr Tong. "This award is also a good reflection of the outstanding research culture that our Department, Faculty and University have built over the years. I am fortunate to work in a university that provides amazing research platforms and resources for academics, and I am also thankful to be in a department and faculty with highly supportive colleagues. This award encourages me to do better.”