Mr CORONADO AGUILAR Guillermo
“Reflecting on my PhD at HKU, I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to keep exploring, academically speaking, the law. I counted on the unwavering support of my advisor James Fry, who pushed my own boundaries and kept with me throughout my academic journey. The academic program in itself has rigor, which gives you discipline. But it also allows for you to trace your own journey and explore as much as possible, even into areas far away from law. I ended up in new academic territories, and this would not have been possible without the support provided by the University of Hong Kong and the Law Faculty. I will tell new incoming PhD students not to be afraid to try new things. You will have all the support needed for your ideas to come to life.”
Miss YI Yuyao
“I came to HKU Law to study law and society, especially law and gender in China, and needed a place that would take both seriously. Unlike environments where such scholarship must justify its legitimacy, HKU Law has expertise in the field and a strong tradition of qualitative inquiry, including fieldwork I had long hoped to undertake. Its location enables close engagement with communities in Chinese Mainland while preserving the intellectual space needed for critical reflection.”
“A PhD is where one begins to become an independent researcher. HKU Law suits those who are clear about what they hope to pursue and become: once you choose a direction, you find resources, a supportive community, and the freedom to draw on them as needed. My candidature has been a sanctuary for bold exploration within a community committed to careful, grounded scholarship worth taking time over. Here, I learned to be a responsible researcher and collaborator, and it is where everything I can call my academic work began.”
Miss LIANG Xiaohan
“My path to doctoral study began when the economic analysis of law opened a new window onto questions I thought I already understood. At HKU Law, that initial curiosity has gradually developed into a deeper appreciation of law as something not only written but also lived. I owe much of this growth to generous and rigorous teachers, who encouraged me to look beyond doctrine and learn from society itself. Through fieldwork and interviews, I have come to see that research often begins with listening—an experience that has strengthened both my academic abilities and my confidence in connecting with others.”
“HKU has also given me a precious sense of openness: the freedom to explore ideas and to grow beyond academic work. Travelling, exercising, and caring for my pets have all enriched this journey. To prospective students, I would gently suggest leaving room for both serious inquiry and everyday joy. Perhaps the most meaningful education comes from learning attentively while remaining open to life.”
Mr ZHOU Xiaoyu
“My decision to pursue a PhD at HKU Law was shaped by the supervisor and senior scholars I worked with during my master’s studies, who encouraged me to take my academic ambitions seriously and pursue them further in Hong Kong. At HKU Law, I have learned not only how to conduct rigorous research, but also how to identify questions that genuinely matter and develop them into work that speaks to a wider scholarly audience. The programme has given me the time and freedom to learn from experienced and helpful senior scholars and to engage deeply in my doctrinal research. The programme has also supported my participation in leading international conferences and conversations with global academic community. For prospective applicants, my advice is simple: stay committed to the questions that truly interest you. With persistence, HKU Law offers a supportive environment in which your academic ambitions can take shape and grow.”