Research

Our research focuses on assessment & feedback, development and assessment of holistic competencies i.e. 21^st century skills, attitudes and values and experiential learning for higher education and school levels. We welcome graduates with excellent academic records to apply for PhD and post-doctoral positions with us, as well as research collaborations and consultations on teaching, learning and research related matters. Please contact Prof. Chan directly to discuss in more details.

Our ResearchResearch GrantsResearch ProjectsProfessional Services

Higher Education

Assessment & Feedback

Collecting good practices in teaching and learning in Business, Engineering and Science disciplines from prestigious research intensive universities around the world

Generic Skills

Developing the Holistic Competency Model (Chan’s HCD model)
Collecting good practices which contributes to the cultivation of holistic competencies
Developing an evidence-based pedagogical driven online system for teachers and students to evaluate their performance or demonstration of relevant generic skills in different out of class activities
Examining students’ and teachers’ perceptions of holistic competencies development in engineering education in Hong Kong universities

Experiential Learning

Research on residential education to facilitate the development of a staff training programme, and to enhance the quality of student learning
Research on the assessment of experiential learning especially in internship, community service and capstone experiences in Engineering
Collecting good practices in experiential learning

School Education

Developing and Assessing holistic competencies for school students
Have, U Can programme
Secondary School Students Career Aspirations in Science and Engineering
Parental Preference on Primary School Selection in Hong Kong

Research Grants

2020 – 2023	General Research Fund 2020/2021 Title: Assessing generic skills in a specific STEM discipline in higher education Amount: HK$753,000 Role: PI
2020	UGC Research Matching Grant Scheme Title: Development and Assessment of holistic competencies in education Amount: HK$1,156,750 Role: PI
2020	External donations in support of research and development Amount: HK$2,313,500
2019 – 2020	Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Title: Train the Trainers – Engaging Extra-curricular Activities Organisations to Enhance Students’ Holistic Competencies Amount: HK$100,000 Role: PI
2019	HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research Title: Assessing generic skills in STEM disciplines in higher education Amount: HK$49,500 Role: PI
2019 – 2021	Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Title: Enhancing Generic Competencies in Engineering Industries Amount: HK$186,000 Role: PI
2018/19	Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Title: Career Dating Programme for Teachers, Parents and the Public to Aspire Engineering as Career Profession for Our Next Generation in Asia Amount: HK$100,000 Role: PI
2016 – 2019	Funding for Teaching and Learning from UGC Title: Driving Cultural and Educational Shift: Providing Support, Activities and Professional Development in the Pedagogy, Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning in Holistic Competencies. Collaborating UGC Institutions: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University, The Education University of Hong Kong Amount: HK$8,947,836 Role: PI
2017/18	Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Title: Promoting and Developing Holistic Competencies of Students in Hong Kong Amount: HK$100,000 Role: PI
2017	2017 Teaching Development Grant (18 months) Title: Assessment Resources for Experiential Learning at HKU Amount: HK$250,000 Role: PI
2016 – 2017	Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Exercise Title: Changing Mind, Changing Practice and Shifting Culture in Engineering, Science and Business Education from Leading Research Intensive Universities Amount: HK$100,000 Role: PI
2016	36^th Round Post-doctoral Fellow Scheme (Research Area: Generic Skills in Education)
2016	2016 HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award Amount: HK$3 00,000
2016	2015 HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research Title: The Challenges of Assessing and Certifying Generic Skills in a Discipline-Specific Context for Hong Kong Higher Education – How can this be achieved? Amount: HK$ 56,625 Role: PI
2015 – 2017	General Research Fund 2015 Title:The Development of Generic Skills Competency: A conceptual evidence-based model to effectively engage students from out-of-class, extra-curricular and in-class learning experiences in a discipline-specific context (A cross-institutional project in collaboration with CUHK and HKUST, which can be considered as an extension of the previous General Research Fund project (2011) on engineering students’ generic skills development. It is also closely related to a Teaching Development Grant supported project on building an Engineering Education Community of Practice.) Amount: HK$ 895,000 Role: PI
2015 – 2017	Special Funding for Teaching & Learning from UGC Title:Developing, Assessing and Providing Direct Evidence of Student Learning in Generic Skills in the Context of Engineering Higher Education in Hong Kong (A cross-institutional project in collaboration with CUHK, HKUST and BU, which is again closely related to the two projects on engineering students’ generic skills development supported by the General Research Fund, but may have a more direct implication on the policy in reviewing direct evidence of student learning in the respective higher education institutions.) Amount: HK$ 4,992,555 Role: PI
2014 – 2016	Special Funding for Teaching & Learning from UGC Title:Professional Development and Capacity Building for Residential Education (A cross-institutional project, which also involves invitation of international speakers to share their expertise and experience in hall education with local residential education practitioners.) Amount: HK$ 2,230,000 Role: Co-I
2013 – 2015	General Research Fund 2013 Title:Aspiring to Become an Engineer: engineering education experiences affecting secondary school studentspursuit of an engineering career in Hong Kong, China and the UK Amount: HK$ 329,458
2013 – 2015	HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: Assessment and Feedback – Develop Discipline-Based Assessment and Feedback Resources by Identifying Good Practices in the Faculty of Business and Economics (B&E) and the Faculty of Science at HKU and Other Overseas Universities Amount: HK$680,400 Role: PI Co-Investigators: Prof. Pauline Chiu, Prof. Alice Wong, Dr. Gavin Porter, Dr. Rachel Lui, Dr. Michael Chau, Dr. Hsiao-Hui Lee, Ms. Joanna Lee, Dr. Suki Ekaratne, Ms. Lillian Luk Advisor:Prof. Bennett, Chi Kin Yim HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: Project-Based Experiential Learning for Sustainability Embedded Higher Education Amount: HK$216,491 Role: Co-I Principal Investigators: Dr. Wei Pan Co-Investigators: Dr Kaimin Shih, Prof C.K. Mak,
2011 – 2014	General Research Fund 2011 Title:The Development of Generic Skills: A curriculum design framework adapting student and teacher perspectives and approaches to learning in a discipline-specific context for Hong Kong higher education. Amount: HK$753,594 Role: PI Co-Investigators: Prof. M. Prosser
2013 – 2014	HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: Technology Enhanced Tools for Large Class Engagement and Assessment for Learning Amount: 398,337 Role: Co-I Principal Investigators: Dr. Wilton Fok Co-Investigators: Prof. Patrick Chau,Dr. George Wong
2011 – 2012	King’s/HKU Fellowship Awards Amount: HK$50,000 Role: PI
2010 – 2012	HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: Tackling Action Plans from HKUSLEQ Faculty Report by Building an Engineering Education Research Community to share Good Practices in Engineering Education Amount: HK$583,476 Role: PI Co-Investigators: Dr. Scott Smith, Dr. Wilton Fok, Dr. Siu Ming Yiu, Dr. Alfred Yu, Dr. Vincent Tam, Dr. Marian Choy, Dr. Yuan Lin, Dr. Min Yang, Dr. Ben Young, Dr. Min Zeng, Dr. Henry Lau, Dr. Kenneth Kin-Yip Wong, Dr. Thomas Ng, Dr. Edmund Y. Lam
2009 – 2011	HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research Title: Student and Teacher Perceptions of Transferable Skills in Engineering in relation to Learning Outcomes, Delivery and Assessment Amount: HK$240,000 Role: PI
2010 – 2011	HKU Common Core Grant Title: The Oceans: Science and Society Amount: HK$100,000.00 Role: Co(I) with Dr. Nathalie Goodkin in Earth Sciences as PI
2009 – 2011	HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: HKU Assessment Resource Centre Amount: HK$482,396 Role: PI Co-investigators: Prof. M. Prosser; Prof. E. Corbet.
2009 – 2011	HKU Teaching Development Grant Title: Developing Transferable Skills Facilitation Strategies for Improving Integrative Project Courses in Engineering Amount: HK$238,718 Role: Co(I) with Dr. Alfred Yu in Engineering as PI
2006 – 2007	DIT Funding Award for Teaching, Learning & Assessment Projects Title: Enhancing Keyskills and Career Speed Dating Amount: €10,000 Role: PI
Mar 2006 – Jun 2006	Science Foundation Ireland: Institute Planning Award Title: To conduct a self-assessment proposal of women’s participation in Science and Engineering Research Activities and Research Management within DIT Amount: €10,000 Role: Team Lead in Engineering
2005 – 2007	DIT Team Research Scheme TERS Title: HEART Project Health Informatics Amount: €50,000 Role: Team Member
Oct 2005 – Present	Higher Education Authority: Technological Sector Research, Strand I Post-Graduate R&D Title: Development of a Novel, Integrated Control System Prototype for Industrial Fungal Fermentation Processes Using Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy and On-Line Image Analysis Amount: €34,000 Role: PI at DIT Engineering (cross faculty collaboration)
2004 – 2005	DIT Funding Award for Teaching, Learning & Assessment Projects Title: Natural, Creative, Brainstorming “Scrapyard Challenge” Design – to allow student to explore their natural thinking hats Amount: €10,000 Role: PI
2004, 2005	DIT President’s Funding Award Title: Student Awards and Career Information Night Amount: €2,000 + external funding from industries Role: PI
2003 – 2006	HEA’s Information Technology Investment Fund Title: To improve Student Learning, Student Retention, Student Motivation, Student Recruitment Amount: €350,000 Role: Coordinator

Research Projects

Please refer to the research projects section of the CETL website for more contents: https://www.cetl.hku.hk/category/research-projects/

2016 – 2019	Driving Cultural and Educational Shift: Providing Support, Activities and Professional Development in the Pedagogy, Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning in Holistic Competencies
2016 – 2017	Changing Mind, Changing Practice and Shifting Culture in Engineering, Science and Business Education from Leading Research Intensive Universities
2016 –	The Challenges of Assessing and Certifying Generic Skills in a Discipline-Specific Context for Hong Kong Higher Education – How can this be achieved?
2015 – 2017	The Development of Generic Skills Competency: A conceptual evidence-based model to effectively engage students from out-of-class, extra-curricular and in-class learning experiences in a discipline-specific context
2015 – 2017	Developing, Assessing and Providing Direct Evidence of Student Learning in Generic Skills in the Context of Engineering Higher Education in Hong Kong
2014 – 2016	Professional Development and Capacity Building for Residential Education
2013 – 2015	Assessment and Feedback – Develop Discipline-Based Assessment and Feedback Resources by Identifying Good Practices in the Faculty of Business and Economics (B&E) and the Faculty of Science at HKU and Other Overseas Universities
2013 – 2015	Aspiring to Become an Engineer: engineering education experiences affecting secondary school students pursuit of an engineering career in Hong Kong, China and the UK
2011 – 2014	The Development of Generic Skills: A curriculum design framework adapting student and teacher perspectives and approaches to learning in a discipline-specific context for Hong Kong higher education
2010 – 2012	Tackling Action Plans from HKUSLEQ Faculty Report by Building an Engineering Education Research Community to share Good Practices in Engineering Education

Professional Services

Conference Organizing Committees

Position	Name of Conference	Period of Appointment
Conference Committee	Virtual Conference – Online Internationalisation https://www.cetl.hku.hk/vconf2020/	November 2020
Chairperson	International Virtual Forum in Teaching & Learning https://www.cetl.hku.hk/iforum2020/	September 2020
Showcase Chair	Teaching and Learning Excellence Showcase https://www.cetl.hku.hk/symp2018/	December 2018
Conference Committee	Co-Constructing Excellence: Recognising, Scaffolding and Building Excellence in University Learning and Teaching https://www.cetl.hku.hk/conf2018/	December 2018
Programme Committee	U21 Educational Innovation Leadership Summit 2018 https://universitas21.com/news-and-events/events/u21-educational-innovation-leadership-symposium	October 2018
Conference Reviewer	Learning & Teaching @ EdUHK Festival https://www.eduhk.hk/lttc/LT2017/	March 2017
Chairperson	Influencing Teaching and Learning Practice: Achieving the Ripple Effect https://www.cetl.hku.hk/conf201703/	March 2017
Conference Committee	International Conference: Beyond the Formal Curriculum in Universities 2016 https://tl.hku.hk/2016/08/international-conference-beyond-the-formal-curriculum-in-universities/	August 2016
Chairperson	Network for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in research-intensive universities (NETL) 2016 https://www.cetl.hku.hk/netl2016/	March 2016
Chairperson	International Conference – Assessment for Learning in Higher Education 2015 https://www.cetl.hku.hk/conf2015/	May 2015
Technical Programme Conference Committee	IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering 2012, IEEE, Hong Kong. http://www.tale-conference.org/tale2012/	August 2012
International Advisory Committee	International Joint Journal Conference in Engineering, IJJCE	Since 2009 – Present
Vice-Chairperson	Enhancing Learning Experiences in Higher Education: International Conference https://www.cetl.hku.hk/conference2010/	December 2010
Conference Reviewer	Scholarship Of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Commons Conference Georgia, USA https://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlgsu/commons/	2010 & 2011
Conference Reviewer	International Conference on Engineering Education, Instructional Technology, Assessment, and E-learning (EIAE)	2009 & 2010

Editorships, editorial board membership

Position	Name of Journal	Period of Appointment
Associate Editor	Journal of Engineering Education (JEE)	2020 – 2023
Editorial Board	International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Systems (IJEECS)	2011 – Present
Reviewer	Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education	On-going
Reviewer	Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education	On-going
Reviewer	Studies in Educational Evaluation	On-going
Reviewer	IEEE Transactions on Education	On-going
Reviewer	The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher	On-going
Reviewer	European Journal of Engineering Education	On-going