The Research Grants Council has been organising regular public lectures to introduce to the public the achievements of the Hong Kong higher education sector, and let the community know about the importance and values of the work of our researchers.
| A Journey into Language: Evolution, Cognition, and Neuroscience 12.11.2022 (Saturday) Prof. William Shiyuan WANG (Chair Professor of Language and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) Humans are but one of the numerous species on our Earth. Yet indisputably, we have become "Masters of the Planet", having ventured into every part of the world. A primary reason for this remarkable success is due to the invention of language. In this talk, the speakers survey the evolutionary history of human beings that has made language possible, the cognitive and neural bases of language, the brain changes in normal and pathological ageing, and how they impact our language functions. Along the way, the speakers will also discuss their related ongoing research projects on brain age estimation, language comprehension, foreign language learning, etc. Language: Cantonese |
| Revolutionising Mode of Food Production and Consumption to Combat Climate Change Prof. Amos Pui Kuen TAI (Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Modernised agriculture is one of the major contributors to both the issues of climate change and environmental pollution. Substantial quantities of greenhouse gases are released at various stages of food production; nitrogenous compounds released from fertiliser and animal waste also greatly pollute air and water. In this talk, the speaker will examine how these issues can be addressed by more sustainable farming practices borrowed from ancient wisdom but enhanced by current technology, as well as by adjusting our own diet, especially via reducing meat consumption, so that food security, human and environmental health can all be ensured in a sustainable manner. Language: Cantonese |
| Ecologically Engineered Man-made Shorelines: Theory and Practice Prof. Kenneth Mei Yee LEUNG (Chair Professor at Department of Chemistry and Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong) Have you ever thought of transforming artificial seawalls into homes for millions of marine organisms by merely adding some creativity? Seawalls are created to protect the shorelines from wave action, land erosion and flooding. Their surfaces are relatively smooth, leading to the lack of shade, crevices, and water retention habitats which are essential for the survival of marine organisms. The research team from City University of Hong Kong has come up with an innovative solution to this problem. By incorporating fundamental ecological concepts and retrofitting ecologically engineered components, they can increase the habitat complexity and greatly enhance marine biodiversity on the seawalls. Language: Cantonese |
| Artificial Intelligence and Arts 20.11.2022 (Sunday) 3:30pm – 4:30pm Dr. Janice PAN (Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts; Associate Head and Associate Professor, Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University) This talk will discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in arts-related subjects. The speaker will introduce the development of AI, as well as some common myths and misconceptions. The talk will then review how AI has been influencing aspects including teaching, learning and practice of different disciplines of arts, and conclude with a discussion about future possibilities of arts in this new digital age. Language: Cantonese |
Jointly organised by the Research Grants Council and the Hong Kong Science Museum
Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first-come, first-served basis
