Keynote Speakers
Prof HONG Ying-yi
Choh-Ming Li Professor of Management
Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
Biography
Ying-yi Hong (康螢儀) is the Choh-Ming Li Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). She has taught at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Nanyang Technological University. A trained experimental social psychologist, her research explores culture, cognition, multicultural identity, and intergroup relations. She has published around 200 journal articles and book chapters, with citations across multiple disciplines. Hong has received several prestigious awards and has been listed among Stanford University’s World Top 2% Scientists. She is a fellow of Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) and a RGC Senior Research Fellow.
“Mind and Status: Interdisciplinary Insights on Poverty and Well-being”
Abstract:
How does our perception of social status shape our health, decisions, and even brain structure? This talk explores the often-overlooked role of subjective poverty—the psychological experience of low socioeconomic status—and its impact on human well-being. In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 1: No Poverty, I argue that addressing psychological deprivation is essential for building a sustainable future. Drawing on methods from psychology, sociology, economics, and neuroscience, I present research showing how perceived social rank influences eating behavior, trust, and neurobiological outcomes. Through experimental designs combining priming, fMRI, and biomarkers, this interdisciplinary work highlights the deep connections between mind, status, and sustainability—and how integrating social science with biological perspectives can yield richer, more actionable insights into persistent social challenges.
