Humanistic at Heart, Transdisciplinary in Practice
Professor Daniel W.L. Lai
Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics
“Humanics is fundamentally about people. We seek to understand ‘humanity’ through transdisciplinary research and diverse perspectives, thereby developing innovative approaches to meet societal needs and enhance overall human well-being,” Professor Daniel W.L. Lai, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), succinctly articulates this academic vision. This passion for humanistic values forms the foundation of his appointment as the Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics, an honour that also entrusts him with a vital mission: to help HKBU deepen its founding ethos by nurturing a new generation of young leaders who are perceptive, compassionate, and ready to shoulder responsibility.
Advancing holistic education through diversity
For 70 years since its establishment, HKBU has upheld its core mission of whole-person education. In an era marked by the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and increasingly complex global challenges, Professor Lai believes this philosophy is not outdated but, if anything, has become more relevant than ever. Social issues such as climate change, ageing populations and public health crises are closely interlinked and cannot be addressed by knowledge provided by just a single discipline. HKBU’s whole-person education, therefore, not only emphasises transdisciplinary learning but also prioritises students’ personal growth, their literary and logical thinking, and character development. Through diverse learning experiences, it broadens students’ horizons, enabling graduates to apply their knowledge flexibly across a variety of fields, fulfil their potential, and establish themselves on the global stage.
Professor Lai adds that transdisciplinary training helps students expand and consolidate their knowledge, thereby honing their creative thinking, independent reasoning, and problem-solving skills to prepare for an unpredictable future. He particularly encourages young people to engage in community service and volunteer work as a means of gaining invaluable insights into society from multiple perspectives. These service-learning activities not only enhance individual capabilities but also build social skills and a strong sense of responsibility, proving highly beneficial for future career development.
“Although many young people focus solely on their studies to pave the way for employment,” Professor Lai remarks, “I believe that if we can guide them to step outside their own circles, interact with different groups in society, and understand others’ circumstances and difficulties, they will naturally become eager to contribute to building a better society.
Roots in social work nurture humanistic convictions
Professor Lai’s educational philosophy is inseparable from his career beginnings. Before entering higher education, he worked as a social worker specialising in family support and long-term care. “During my frontline service days, I learned to approach things from a human perspective, respecting and understanding the needs of every individual I encountered.” This experience profoundly shaped his academic direction and leadership philosophy over the subsequent 30-plus years. Whether in teaching, research, or faculty leadership, he has consistently grounded his work in humanistic care.
Holding fast to this original commitment, Professor Lai’s professional horizons gradually expanded internationally. After completing postgraduate studies in Canada, he held positions such as Associate Professor, Professor, and Associate Dean at Grant MacEwan University, the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and the University of Calgary. Hence, he accumulated extensive teaching and administrative experience as well as gaining exposure to cutting-edge global scholarship. In 2015, he returned to Hong Kong to serve as Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and in 2020 joined HKBU as Dean of the then Faculty of Social Sciences, continuing to bring his professional impact to bear on a broader platform.
Glorious honours and unwavering commitment to the vulnerable
Professor Lai’s outstanding scholarly achievements are widely recognised. He has been consistently named among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists and, in 2025, ranked 83rd globally and 2nd in China for citation impact in gerontology. That same year, he received the Award for Contribution to Gerontology from the Canadian Association on Gerontology, underscoring his leadership in gerontology, healthy ageing, and public health.
Beyond these honours, Professor Lai’s research remains focused on marginalised communities such as older adults, immigrants, ethnic minorities and family caregivers, exploring how social, cultural and environmental factors influence their health and well-being. To date, he has published more than 170 peer-reviewed articles and secured more than HK$58 million in research funding from esteemed bodies including the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He has also contributed to research projects totalling around HK$87 million, promoting community-based strategies that blend humanistic values with technological innovation to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
Transdisciplinary practice: bringing knowledge into reality
In teaching, Professor Lai emphasises the equal importance of theory and practice. He guides students in employing diverse research methods and, through case studies and group collaboration, cultivates critical thinking and empathy. A strong advocate of inter-generational learning, he maintains that the varied and complex needs of different groups deserve proper attention and response. “Older adults need not just medical care or housing, they also long for human connections, particularly interactions with younger generations,” he explains. “Likewise, university students, as they focus on building their futures, can draw wisdom from others. Through intergenerational exchange, they learn to respect and appreciate different generations, which in turn nurtures their personal growth.”
To extend the power of knowledge beyond the campus, Professor Lai actively embraces cross-media and cross-disciplinary approaches. In one notable example, he collaborated with Dr. Sobel Chan, former Senior Lecturer at HKBU’s Academy of Film, to produce the short film We Are Hong Kongers. This film uses cinematic narrative to portray the daily challenges faced by retired South Asian Hongkongers and the support they receive from their families and social networks. The film aims to raise public awareness of the situations facing ethnic minority elders and calls for greater societal support for them.
Serving the community through policy engagement
Beyond teaching and research, Professor Lai enthusiastically contributes to public policy. He serves as a member of the HKSAR Government’s Elderly Commission and as Vice-President of the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology, participating in the formulation and review of ageing-related policies to promote elderly health and social harmony.
Professor Miu Chung Yan, who previously worked with Professor Lai and now teaches at the University of British Columbia’s School of Social Work in Canada, praises Professor Lai’s vision and expertise in incorporating emerging technologies into social services. This combination is crucial for addressing contemporary human needs.
Leading innovation across arts and social sciences
To align with HKBU’s transdisciplinary reforms, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences merged in 2024 to form the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with Professor Lai appointed as its inaugural Dean. He anticipates that this merger will generate strong synergies that drive academic excellence and innovation. “Scholars in our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences possess broad expertise. When collaborating, we revolve around a common core: enhancing people’s understanding and awareness of issues related to humanity and society. With this guiding principle, we can propel more impactful research.”
Under Professor Lai’s leadership, the Faculty is diligently expanding its international footprint. Key efforts include promoting transdisciplinary dialogues with prestigious universities worldwide and bringing together leading academics to examine how AI intersects with the humanities. In 2025, the Faculty partnered with the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute to establish the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Base (Shenzhen), fostering cross-border academic collaboration in the Greater Bay Area.
Translating generosity into global opportunities
Advancing research to enhance human well-being is a long and arduous pursuit that relies on financial backing. Professor Lai expresses his deep gratitude to the Fung Hon Chu Foundation for establishing the Endowed Professorship in Humanics at HKBU. He notes that this donation not only facilitates his own research development but also benefits students. He plans to allocate part of the funds to support students in undertaking local and international research, participating in global conferences and publishing their findings, enabling the world to recognise the potential of HKBU students.
With his profound professional background and humanistic compassion, Professor Lai has made significant contributions to social sciences education in Hong Kong and globally. Whether in intergenerational, cross-media or transdisciplinary domains, his teaching and research embody a steadfast commitment to promoting social inclusion, driving academic innovation, and serving the community. His vision extends beyond academic excellence; it is about building a better society where everyone can find their place and value in a diverse world.
*This interview was published in Feburary 2026.
Professor Daniel W.L. Lai
- Dean and Chair Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, HKBU
- Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics, HKBU
- Vice-President, Hong Kong Association of Gerontology
- Member, Elderly Commission, HKSAR Government
- Award for Contribution to Gerontology, Canadian Association on Gerontology (2025)
- World’s Top 2% Scientists (2022–2025), Stanford University
- (ranked 83rd globally and 2nd in China in gerontology citation impact in 2025)
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University (2020–2023)
- Director, Institute of Active Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2016–2020)
- Head and Chair Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2015–2020)
- Killam Annual Professor Award, Canada (2014–2015)
- Alberta Heritage Health Scholar Award, Canada (2003–2009)
