The roots of our department date back to the early 1950s when sociology pioneers established post-secondary colleges in Hong Kong, offering sociology courses. Notable figures like Mr. Shau-lam Wong of Chung Chi, Mr. C.C. Hu of United and Mr. Tsun Leng of New Asia, who had immigrated from Mainland China, played pivotal roles in this endeavor.
In 1951, Chung Chi College introduced the first sociology curriculum, followed by United College in 1956 and New Asia College in 1959. These contributions marked significant milestones in the development of sociology in Hong Kong.
The establishment of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1963 marked a crucial moment. In 1965, the Board of Studies in Sociology was organized to coordinate teaching and research activities across the three colleges. Distinguished individuals such as Prof. Morris Berkowitz, Prof. Burkart Holzner, Prof. Jiri Nehnevajsa, Prof. Robert Chin, Dr. F.M. Wong, Mr. Shau-lam Wong and Prof. Ambrose Y.C. King, who served as Chairmen of the Board of Studies during different periods.
In 1977, the university unified sociology curricula from the three colleges, creating the single Department of Sociology. Professor Ambrose Y.C. King took charge as Chairman, overseeing this integration. A fourth constituent college, Shaw College, was established in 1986, and the sociology staff and students are similarly integrated into the unified Department. During the late 1960s to mid-1970s, the department underwent significant developments in curriculum planning and academic research, with valuable contributions from academics like Professor C.K. Yang of the University of Pittsburgh. These years also witnessed an influx of overseas academics as visiting professors, enriching our teaching and research capacity.
The localization of sociology in Hong Kong was further facilitated by the efforts of graduates who pursued advanced studies abroad and returned to contribute to academia and various sectors.
From 1992 to 2019, the Department was chaired by Prof. S.K. Lau (1994-2002), Prof. Rance P.L. Lee (1992-1994, and 2002-2009), Prof. Y.W. Cheung (2009-2016), and Prof. Eric Fong (2016-2019). Prof. Tony Tam took up the chairmanship from August 2019.
The department’s commitment to sociological research is evident in the establishment of research centers like the Centre for Hong Kong Studies, Centre for Contemporary Asian Studies, and later, the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (HKIAPS). These centers have contributed to interdisciplinary research on topics such as political development, gender studies, and civil society.
The expansion continued with the establishment of specialized centers like the Center for Population Research, the Xi’an Jiaotong University Joint Research Centre on Migration, and the Computational Social Science Laboratory (CSSL) as part of the Computational Social Science initiative (CSS@CUHK). These initiatives have expanded the department’s research scope and impact.
Currently, our department boasts a diverse international body, with academic staff and postgraduate students from six continents and fourteen countries in the most recent five years. Graduates continue to excel in various sectors, both in Hong Kong and internationally, embodying the global impact of our sociological education. Our faculty members, including three Honorary Adjunct Professors from UCLA, Princeton University, and The University of Stanford, represent a rich tapestry of international experts, further enriching our academic environment. Their backgrounds and experiences foster a culture of innovation and excellence, positioning our department at the forefront of sociological scholarship.
In recent years, the department has received high recognition in academic circles. The University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2020 affirmed our research performance as the best Sociology department in Hong Kong and one of the best units within the Faculty of Social Science. Additionally, the department significantly improved its ranking from 37th to 23rd in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subjects. This accomplishment reaffirmed our leadership position and demonstrated our dedication to academic excellence and impactful research.