Tactical Shift in Social Movement

Social movements are key agents of social change in most contemporary societies. While numerous sociological studies focus on movement strategies and tactics, our understanding of why movements shift their tactics remains limited. My primary research goal in this field is to examine how structural and perceived opportunities (and threats) shape the strategic choices of social movements.

Funding details:

2020 – 2022 “Shifting Strategies and Coalition Dynamics of the Pro-Democracy Movement in Hong Kong: The Role of Perceived Opportunities and Threats,” (as PI) HK$792,498, funded by Faculty Development Scheme of Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector 2019/20, Research Grants Council.

Related publications:

Li, H. (2026). Explaining tactical shift: interpretive changes of political opportunity and strategic interaction in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, 2010 to 2019. Chinese Sociological Review, 58(2), 207-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/21620555.2025.2582516

Drug Risk Perception and Relapse Prevention

My primary interest in this field is exploring the risk perceptions of young drug users. I have also worked collaboratively with counseling psychologists to design and implement an integrative life design model aimed at preventing relapse among rehabilitated drug users.

Funding details:

2019 – 2018 “Posttreatment Life Planning and Relapse Prevention: An Effectiveness Study of an Integrative Model of Vocational Life Design for Young Rehabilitated Drug Abusers,” (as Co-I) HK$841,340, funded by Beat Drugs Fund (BDF) Regular Funding Scheme, Narcotics Division, Security Bureau

2017 – 2018 “From Ketamine to Ice: Neutralisation Techniques and Risk Perception of Adolescent Drug Abusers,” (as PI) HK$476,284, funded by Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme, Central Policy Unit (renamed Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office in April 2018)

Related publications:

Li, H., Zhou, D. H. R., Cheung, Y. W., & Choi, W. S. (2026). Effectiveness of an integrative model of vocational life design for young rehabilitated drug abusers. Journal of Substance Use, 31(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2024.2417416

Li, H., & Cheung, Y. W. (2021). Beyond ketamine: Narratives of risk among young psychoactive drug users in Hong Kong. Journal of Substance Use, 26(5), 531–536. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2020.1856207

Cheung, Y. W., & Li, H. (2025). What Has Changed and What Has Not: The Past Three Decades of Adolescent Drug Use in Hong Kong. In Z. Yue, & H. Zhong (Eds.), Juvenile Delinquency and Victimization in Chinese Societies. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003385066-6

Process of Youth Identity Formation

I worked collaboratively with a team of sociologists and psychologists from Hong Kong Shue Yan University to examine the formation of identity status among youth. My primary interest lies in understanding how civic and political engagement impact their identity development.

Funding details:

2020 – 2023 “Youth Identity Status and its Psychosocial Correlates: A Longitudinal Study in Hong Kong,” (as Co-PI) HK$3,465,000, funded by IDS Collaborative Research Grant of Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector 2019/20, Research Grants Council.

Related publications:

Li, H., Chui, C. F., Li, W. O., & Chow, J. T. S. (2025). Social Media Use and Political Participation among Young People in Hong Kong: A Structural Equation Analysis. In A. Z. H. Yee (Ed), Mobile Media Use Among Children and Youth in Asia. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2282-5_10

Chui, R. C. F., Li, H., Chan, C. K., Siu, N. Y. F., Cheung, R. W. L., Li, W. O., Peng, K. Z. M., Cheung, Y. W., Cheung, S. F., & Xu, N. (2025). Prosocial Behaviour, Individualism, and Future Orientation of Chinese Youth: The Role of Identity Status as a Moderator. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020193

Community Life and Collective Efficacy