As a researcher specialising in statistics and data science, the new Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS) Professor Li Wai-keung, who joined The Education University of Hong Kong in July 2019, endeavours to foster new interdisciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration in the faculty.

“One of the edges of FLASS is its diversity of disciplines,” Professor Li said. “Data science can be applied in virtually every discipline: science, social science, sports, policy, cultural studies, education, and so forth. I can see a lot of room for data science applications in these disciplines to enhance our competitiveness and research outputs.”

After over 12 years heading the Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science and 19 years as a Chair Professor of Statistics at The University of Hong Kong, Professor Li is adapting to his new role leading a faculty covering multidisciplinary subjects, which is quite different from his previous role. Professor Li says success comes from people, so apart from his administrative role, he seeks to nurture talent in the faculty and provide mentorship to his colleagues at the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Professor Li loves reading about history and is especially keen on stories about warfare because of their exciting plots and the lessons he can draw from military leaders to improve his leadership skills. The key takeaway for him is avoiding over-confidence when leading a team, as a leader needs to consider different circumstances and perspectives before making a decision, he said. One of his favourite authors is John Maxwell.

Professor Li added, “Nestled at the base of scenic hills, EdUHK is an ideal place for learning and research. I love walking around the campus to keep my mind fresh.”

If you happen to see Professor Li around, feel free to talk to him about both science topics, like big data and AI applications, and history.

Referring to the experience of Mr Zeng Guofan (曾国藩) and Mr Liang Qichao (梁启超) in the Qing Dynasty, Professor Li emphasised that perseverance and diligence have been his motto throughout his four-decade career as a researcher and will continue to guide him in his new deanship role. “We should trust ourselves and our team despite the ups and downs,” he said. “My experience has shown that we will ultimately find a solution.”

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