A lack of familiarity with theory poses barriers for students advancing from undergraduate to postgraduate and research degrees. Theory plays a critical role in generating coherence, originality and critical understanding in most areas of academic enquiry. In this presentation, I will draw on my experience in introducing applied science students to the power of theory using a framework involving four distinguishable but interrelated domains of theory with relevance to applied disciplines. The first domain incorporates assumptions underpinning empirical (progress) science; the second, focuses various traditions in emancipatory theory, drawing on concepts such as freedom, justice and empowerment; the third, focused on inwardness and lived experience, and the final domain focuses on the role of critical theory in sharpening up assumptions and approaches to research.

Speaker
Professor Peter Adams
Professor,
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Social and Community Health
University of Auckland

Moderator
Dr. WONG H.Y. Gloria
Associate Professor,
Department of Social Work and Social Administration
The University of Hong Kong

About the speaker
Professor Peter Adams started out with a background in philosophy and clinical psychology. He worked as a psychologist in hospital, community and private practice settings, returning to psychology to complete his PhD, then, from 1991 on, employed as an academic in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. His research interests include: critical social theory, applied rhetoric, existential issues, family impacts of addictions, gender-based violence, industry conflicts of interest and public health approaches to gambling. He has published eight sole-authored books on topics in these areas. He is employed as a full professor at the School of Population Health and an associate director of the Centre for Addiction Research.

Date and Time:

June 14, 2023 (Wednesday)
11:00am – 12:00noon

Mode: Zoom Live Streaming
Language: English

Registration:
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=87996