Siu-yau Lee

Siu-ya Lee, from Hong Kong, completed his DPhil in Politics at St Antony’s College and is now an Associate Professor in Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, conducting research on public opinion and high-skilled immigration policy. Here he reflects on the impact that the Swire Scholarship has had on his life.

I will never forget the moment I learned I had been awarded the Swire Scholarship. It changed my life.

Becoming a political scientist had been my goal since my undergraduate studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2009, when I was planning my next steps, I secured a PhD offer from Oxford, but I had no way to pay for it. Pursuing a PhD in the social sciences is a significant investment that requires years of commitment with uncertain career prospects, and it was a risk my family and I simply could not afford. My academic journey would have ended right there without the Swire Scholarship.

What makes the Swire-St. Antony’s partnership so valuable is its focus on developing expertise in the social sciences and humanities. Over the years, St. Antony’s Swire scholars have made significant contributions to Hong Kong. Through their academic work, they have shaped our understanding of the city—its economic and political systems, history, identities, and culture. Many scholars have gone on to excel in a wide variety of fields, with some establishing their own scholarship programs to support the next generation. This enduring tradition of support makes Swire stand out as a company investing in the intellectual foundations essential for Hong Kong’s prosperity.

Today, as an Associate Professor in Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, I conduct research on public opinion and high-skilled immigration policy. My work has so far led to the development of a social inclusion index that tracks public attitudes toward social policies, policy recommendations about how to enhance public recognition toward vocational training, and academic programmes that promote social innovation. These efforts feel modest compared to the remarkable achievements of the many distinguished Swire scholars. Yet, the vision of Swire encourages me to be bold—and to keep the cycle of support, achievement, and giving back alive. I hope this partnership between Swire and St. Antony’s will continue to open doors for more Hong Kong students for generations to come.