Prof. Benjamin Becker Awarded Prestigious RGC Fellowship (HSSPFS 2026/27)
We are thrilled to share that Prof. Benjamin Becker has been awarded the prestigious Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS) for 2026/27 by the Research Grants Council (RGC).
Out of only 10 fellowships awarded across all Hong Kong universities in this highly competitive round, two were secured by HKU's Faculty of Social Sciences—including Prof. Becker’s project on human-AI interaction.
Project Title: A Multi-Level Framework for Understanding Human-AI Interaction, Adolescent Wellbeing, and Societal Change
Award Amount: HK$774,266
This project will develop a comprehensive framework for understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) influences human social behaviour, adolescent wellbeing, and wider social systems. Bringing together findings from ongoing empirical studies and international research, the project will examine how interactions with AI may affect social relationships, youth development, and societal dynamics.
The research aims to generate thought leadership in the rapidly evolving field of human-AI interaction and provide evidence-informed insights to support the development of human-focused AI systems and policies.
The HSSPFS scheme provides extended research time and supporting funds, allowing recipients to focus intensively on high-impact research and writing.
We would also like to congratulate Prof. Travis Kong (Department of Sociology), who secured the second HKU HSSPFS award this round for his work on generational experiences of Chinese gay men.
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