One of the strategic plans of CityU is to identify several overarching research themes that bring together scholars and experts from different disciplines, aiming to address wide-ranging academic questions and respond to the emerging challenges facing society at large in an ever-changing and more connected world. In line with the University’s strategy, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) has established three research clusters, namely One Health, Digital Society, and Smart City. This year, CLASS has announced the establishment of its fourth research cluster, Brain, which focuses on studying the human brain and its impact on affective, behavioural, and cognitive functions. The new Brain cluster gathers researchers in the relevant fields to explore how individuals learn, communicate, feel, and think using neuroscience and advanced information technologies. 

On 18 and 19 May 2022, the Department of Media and Communication (COM), together with CLASS, co-hosted the inaugural Brain research cluster online symposium featuring 19 moderators and speakers. Dean of CLASS Prof Richard M WALKER welcomed the participants and kicked off the online symposium on 18 May 2022. Prof Walker was delighted to announce the establishment of a new research cluster to bring people to the new initiative and focus on studying the human brain. He also explained the motivations behind creating this cluster, hoping to solicit multiple forces across faculty to help solve global problems and challenges. 

Next, Prof Fiona NAH Fui-Hoon of COM, Convenor of the Brain cluster, introduced the new cluster and its members, and the topic and schedule of each session in the two-day symposium. The topics covered include neural understanding of language, neural mechanisms of mindfulness, neural mechanisms of psychological flow, visual attention across the human lifespan, and functional brain networks. Roundtable discussions were arranged at the end of Day 1 and 2 for CityU faculty, students, and potential collaborators to exchange ideas on research needs, interests, and potential collaborations. The symposium was attended by 180 participants.  

The online symposium showcased the fruitful research findings of local and international scholars from prominent institutions around the world on the study of the human brain, and presented the application of advanced technology and knowledge in the fields of linguistics and languages, communication and media, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. 

To learn more about the Brain Cluster and other research clusters, please visit the Research Website.