We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students at the “Ideas in Action: The Interdisciplinary Conference for Undergraduate Students in Humanities, Social Sciences & Public Policy”, held on 26 June 2026.

Organized by Gratia Christian College and co-organized by the Business, Economic and Public Policy Research Centre of the Department of Economics and Finance at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, the conference brought together over forty undergraduate researchers from a wide range of local and regional institutions. Covering ten thematic panels of presentations across diverse fields—including economics, public policy, urban studies, culture, and history—the event showcased the depth, diversity, and interdisciplinary nature of student scholarship today.

Among the many high-quality contributions, two of our student teams received top honours. The paper “Resilience of Agglomeration and the Threshold of Congestion: Evidence from Selected Cities in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Industry Heterogeneity” was awarded the Best Research Award. This study advances urban economic analysis by demonstrating how the relationship between city size and productivity is conditional on industrial structure, with knowledge-intensive sectors exhibiting greater resilience to congestion effects.

In addition, “The Location Logic and Spatial Economic Analysis of McDonald’s in Hong Kong” received the Interdisciplinary Innovative Research Award. Combining spatial analysis with economic theory, the study highlights how firms adapt their location strategies in Hong Kong’s dense urban environment, emphasizing the importance of localized demand, accessibility, and agglomeration economies.

These recognitions reflect not only the academic excellence of our students, but also their ability to engage with real-world challenges through rigorous, interdisciplinary approaches. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award-winning teams for bringing distinction to the programme and contributing meaningfully to contemporary research debates.