Dr Chen Siming, under the supervision of Dr Edward Tang, Associate Head of Department of Economics and Finance; Professor Rita Li, Director of the Master of Science in Financial Technology Management, has successfully completed his PhD as the department’s first doctoral graduate. He has since joined Anhui Xinhua University as a lecturer.

His thesis, Modelling Housing Market Dynamics Through Social Media: Mixed Artificial Intelligence and Spatial Approaches, represents a landmark achievement in the department’s academic development.

As part of his doctoral journey, Dr Chen presented his research at the 31st European Real Estate Society Annual Conference in Athens. His presentation revealed how public voices in China reflect a sharp divide in housing sentiment: optimism and confidence in coastal regions and smaller, economically stable cities, contrasted with worry and negativity in inland or industrial centres facing uncertainty. His insights offered a window into the lived realities behind China’s housing market, underscoring the importance of policies that balance financial considerations with the everyday experiences of families and individuals who see housing as the foundation of their lives.

As for Lee Kin-fung, Master of Philosophy student in the Department of History, under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr Lo Wing-sang, he completed his thesis, which was also published in the academic journal Shi-Hui (史匯), Issue 27.