Computational Social Science (CSS) is an interdisciplinary field that leverages computational methods, tools, and models to analyse and understand social phenomena and human behaviour. It integrates concepts from computer science, statistics, and various across social science disciplines such as sociology, psychology, economics, political science, and anthropology.
The CSS Lab at HKU is committed to advancing the field of Computational Social Science through rigorous research, education, and collaboration. By leveraging computational tools and interdisciplinary approaches, the lab seeks to provide actionable insights and solutions to complex social challenges.
The CSS Lab at HKU aims to foster interdisciplinary research that focuses on the modelling, simulation, and analysis of social and behavioural dynamics. The lab brings together scholars from diverse fields to collaboratively advance our understanding of societal processes through computational methods. Specifically, the objectives of the lab are to:
Enhance educational capabilities in the field of Computational Social Science by providing robust training programs, resources, and support to encourage innovation and excellence.
Formulate and execute coherent research agendas that push the boundaries of CSS, contributing to cutting-edge discoveries and methodologies.
Forge and strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, and industry leaders worldwide. These collaborations aim to address real-world social issues and amplify the impact of the lab’s research.
Host a variety of events, including seminars, workshops, and talks. These activities are designed to disseminate knowledge, share findings, and foster dialogue among students, faculty, professionals, business leaders, and policymakers.
The CSS lab is led by Professor Bo HUANG in the department of Geography and Professor Guy Abel in the department of Sociology. Professor Bo Huang is renowned for developing the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model and Professor Abel is demography and migration expert with systems analysis expertise. CSS members include the Dean, the directors of SSRC and:
While the Computational Social Sciences Lab at CUHK has been in operation for many years now, we are confident that the CSS Lab at HKU will develop its own unique identify based on the combination of expertise in geospatial and sensor data sciences with the social sciences.