(只提供英文版本) The Department of Economics and Finance (EAF) successfully organized its Research Seminar on 20 November 2025, serving as a vital forum for scholarly exchange and academic engagement. This seminar was designed to foster the dissemination of research findings among faculty members, encourage the solicitation of constructive feedback, and facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration within the department.
Seminar Highlights
The event featured two speakers: Dr. Ben K.M. Cheng, who presented a talk entitled “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Services Trade: Who Benefits, Who Suffers, and Why?”, and Dr. K.K. Li, who spoke on “Childbearing Age and the Shadow Mommy Effect on Hiring: A Large-scale Field Experiment”.
Dr. Cheng’s presentation provided an in-depth analysis of the heterogeneous impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trade in services. He pointed out that while many service areas like travel and transport saw big drops because of movement restrictions and social distancing, some industries—like financial services, insurance, telecommunications, and computer services—managed to stay strong, with some even growing during the pandemic. These findings demonstrate the vital role of digital infrastructure and the ability of sectors adaptable to remote service provision to withstand external shocks.
Dr. Li’s research addressed the intersection of employment practices and gender dynamics, focusing on whether the age of female job applicants—and by extension, their potential for childbearing—affects their likelihood of being hired. Through a large-scale experiment, Dr. Li explored evidence supporting the existence of a ‘shadow mommy effect’ in hiring decisions, suggesting that childbearing considerations may disproportionately influence female employment prospects. This nuanced study invites reflection on structural biases and continues to inform debates on workplace equity and policy.
Academic Interaction and Outcomes
The seminar fostered vibrant discussion, with faculty members engaging actively with the presenters by posing thoughtful questions and offering multidisciplinary perspectives. The academic environment was notably dynamic and collegial, promoting substantive exchanges that enriched participants’ understanding of current research trends and methodological approaches. The session concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing a sense of enhanced scholarly engagement and a renewed commitment to advancing research excellence within the department.
This Research Seminar exemplifies the Department’s ongoing dedication to academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and the cultivation of a collaborative research community. Through such events, the Department not only advances the frontiers of knowledge but also strengthens the professional ties that are essential for impactful and innovative scholarship.