The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) of the University of Macau (UM) recently completed the nomination and selection process for the 2024/2025 Academic Staff Awards Scheme. The scheme was established to recognize and honor faculty members for their outstanding achievements in teaching, research, and service, aiming to foster academic innovation and a spirit of professional service. This year, five distinguished faculty members were awarded, including Prof. Lulu Liu, Prof. Weiqing Song, Prof. Huiquan Zhang, Prof. Kin Sun Chan, and Prof. Ze Hong.
Outstanding Teaching Award:
Prof. Lulu Liu / Department of Psychology
Prof. Lulu Liu graduated with a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Sydney, Australia. Her research expertise includes memory, future thinking, time, intertemporal decision-making, and cognitive dysfunction in clinical populations. Since joining UM in 2022, Prof. Liu has taught five different psychology courses and developed two new courses for the Master’s programme in Clinical Psychology. Her teaching evaluations are exceptionally high, earning widespread praise from students.
Outstanding Research Award:
Prof. Weiqing Song / Department of Government and Public Administration
Prof. Weiqing Song obtained his PhD in Political Science from the University of Siena, Italy. His research focuses on Chinese foreign policy, global governance, European politics, and Sino-Europe relations. Over the past two years, Prof. Song has published 12 SSCI-indexed journal articles and was twice awarded the Jean Monnet Chair by the European Union, highlighting his international influence and academic standing in European studies.
Outstanding Research Award:
Prof. Huiquan Zhang / Department of Sociology
Prof. Huiquan Zhang earned his PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto, Canada. His research areas include public opinion, Chinese politics, social movements, and quantitative research methods. Over the past two years, Prof. Zhang has published multiple papers in top-tier international peer-reviewed journals, including SSCI Q1 journals such as China Quarterly and Political Psychology.
Outstanding Service Award:
Prof. Kin Sun Chan / Department of Government and Public Administration
Prof. Kin Sun Chan received his PhD in Social Work and Social Administration from the University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on programme evaluation, public policy (healthcare policy, elderly policy, social security), and public finance. Prof. Chan has served the University of Macau for 18 years and has long been the coordinator of the Master of Social Sciences (Public Administration) programme. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Macao SAR Public Administration Reform Consultative Council (Conselho Consultivo para a Reforma da Administração Pública) and the Senior Citizen Affairs Committee (Comissão para os Assuntos do Cidadão Sénior), contributing valuable insights to society.
Early Career Award:
Prof. Ze Hong / Department of Sociology
The Early Career Award is designed to recognize assistant professors with outstanding academic research performance. Prof. Hong graduated with a PhD in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University, USA. He joined the University of Macau in 2023 and has already published seven papers in top-tier academic journals, including Human Nature and Current Anthropology, based on his groundbreaking research at the intersection of cognitive science, anthropology, and cultural evolution. He also serves on the editorial boards of several internationally renowned journals and is set to publish a monograph titled A Cognitive Theory of Divination with Cambridge University Press.
The FSS Academic Awards Scheme aims to recognize the outstanding contributions of faculty members and further promote academic development. The Faculty will continue to uphold its tradition of excellence, nurturing more outstanding talents and making greater contributions to societal development.