Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

With strong research interests in sociolinguistics, specifically in language and identity and digital literacies, I reached out to Professor Michelle Gu Mingyue, who is listed in the “World Top 2% Scientists,” to discuss the possibilities of pursuing my PhD under her supervision. I am grateful for the unwavering support from Professor Gu and colleagues from the Graduate School throughout my application process, especially their encouragement and assistance with my application for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS).

I am honoured and thrilled to have been awarded the HKPFS by the University Grants Committee to pursue my PhD study at EdUHK. This fellowship offers me opportunities to engage broadly with academic communities in Hong Kong and internationally. The scholarship has enabled me to present my research at the 2025 American Association for Applied Linguistics conference in Denver and the 2025 AsiaTEFL conference here at EdUHK. Linguistics conference in Denver and the 2025 AsiaTEFL conference here at EdUHK. My training was further enriched by the Trans-Linguistics Summer Institute at Penn State University in 2025, which I attended with full sponsorship provided by the Graduate School. The expert writing instruction I received there has significantly strengthened my research and publishing capabilities.

Looking back on my first year of study and research at EdUHK, I feel incredibly enriched and fulfilled. The dedication and passion of both students and faculty across a wide range of educational and interdisciplinary topics continue to become a source of inspiration for me in my everyday study and research.

The HKPFS is one of the most reputable scholarships for PhD candidates. The scheme makes studying and everyday life easy for non-local PhD students. It creates an avenue for meeting and collaborating with peers with diverse interests and strengths worldwide.

Since joining the University, I’ve had learning opportunities beyond the curriculum. For example, I was the secretary of the 1st International Conference on Health, Environment Education, and Research 2024 (CHEER2024) hosted at EdUHK. The conference attracted over 200 experts from different countries. It was an exceptional, enriching, and interactive experience that fostered significant learning and engagement.

EdUHK faculty and administrative staff are very supportive of the welfare of students, even in the application stage for PhD studies. My application period was quite burdensome as I was trying to complete my MSc degree, prepare a compelling research plan and vision statement for the HKPFS application, and co-author a review article. Fortunately, I was successful. I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr Tsang Yiu Fai, for his invaluable support and guidance throughout the application process.

I advise aspiring HKPFS scholars to multitask if needed, as this is a great scholarly attribute and a transferable skill for survival in the 21st century. Effort reaps the rewards. Put in your best and pay attention to details during the application, and it’s never too late until it’s late.

With the travel allowance from HKPFS, I attended international conferences domestically and internationally. The conference opportunities have also led to awards and research outputs. My co-presentation with my supervisor, Dr. Li Zhen, was awarded the Richard Pemberton Prize for Best Postgraduate Paper at the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) Conference. Our study on coteaching in K-12 second/foreign language classrooms has also been published in Language Teaching Research.

I also appreciate EdUHK’s support for students’ professional development, including Three Minute Thesis Competition, Certificate in Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education, etc. Through these opportunities, I have received systematic training in research methods, developed academic presentation and writing skills, and connected with different professionals for career guidance.

HKPFS application requires careful consideration in the writing of the vision statement and research proposal. For the research proposal, I suggest consulting with your supervisor for detailed guidance. For the vision statement, each section should address the four criteria: academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities. Align your personal strengths with these criteria and highlight them strategically.

Although HKPFS is quite competitive, it is not an impossible mission. With support and guidance from my supervisor, Dr. Li Zhen, I saw the application as a self-discovery opportunity to reflect on my personal history and integrate all the meaningful moments into your application materials. Therefore, I encourage you to apply for HKPFS, for both potential rewards and the enriching application journey. I look forward to seeing you on the EdUHK campus in the future!

I chose EdUHK not only for its strong research fit, but also for its remarkable global exposure and supportive environment for early-career researchers. I benefited greatly from a two-week academic exchange at UNSW in 2025, which significantly strengthened my research and publication skills. I’m also currently applying for the three-month attachment scheme sponsored by the Graduate School, which will allow me to pursue part of my thesis research under the guidance of a distinguished scholar abroad.

What’s more, I’m thrilled that my paper has been accepted by AAAL 2026—one of the premier conferences in applied linguistics—where I’ll present my work to an international audience. This recognition not only highlights the growing attention on social media studies in applied linguistics but also reflects the quality of mentorship I’ve received.

I’m truly honoured to be supervised by Professor Gu Mingyue Michelle, who is among the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists by Stanford University in language and linguistics. Her expertise, dedication and kindness have been invaluable throughout my PhD journey. Studying at EdUHK continues to sharpen not only my intellectual curiosity, but also my interpersonal and time-management skills. Looking ahead, I aim to build an academic career where I can contribute to applied linguistics and the wider Hong Kong society through meaningful research.

“EdUHK’s reputation as a global leader in education research made it the ideal choice for my doctoral studies. As an alumna, I’ve long benefited from EdUHK’s supportive academic environment. The university’s commitment to innovative pedagogy, coupled with its world-class faculty, solidified my decision to continue my research journey at this institution.

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) application was a transformative experience. Through iterative discussions with Dr Yang Weipeng, I refined my proposal to strengthen its theoretical foundation and methodological rigour. Despite my unconventional academic background, the novelty of my research topic, bridging coding and music education, and its practical applicability contributed to my successful application.

To aspiring HKPFS applicants and future EdUHK students, there are three key lessons from my journey:

· Think innovatively, plan practically. Originality matters, but feasibility ensures success.

· Seek mentorship. Regular dialogue with supervisors is transformative.

· Embrace resilience. EdUHK’s supportive community will guide you through setbacks.”