I am delighted to share the wonderful news that Prof. Karen Laidler has been conferred the title of Emeritus Professor.

Emeritus Professor is the honorary title conferred by the University to recognise the invaluable contributions made by long-serving Professors. The title signifies the outstanding academic leadership and excellence in teaching, research and academic services. Prof. Laidler is the third professor and the first female professor in our department to receive this prestigious honour. 

Professor Laidler is a renowned expert in sociology and criminology, with particular research interests in drugs, sex work, youth gangs and women’s imprisonment. She has been involved in criminological research since the 1980s, working with non-profit organizations and government agencies in Northern California. She has worked on a variety of primary and policy related research including: evaluation of drug intervention programmes;  juvenile court intervention; inmate grievance processes; bail reform; sentencing guidelines; risk assessment for juvenile detention; prison planning and classification systems for adult prisons; and drug use problems among methamphetamine users. She joined HKU in 1995, with a view to understand the relationship between drugs and society and 30 years later, has remained a keen student of Hong Kong society. 

Please join me in congratulating Prof. Laidler on this well-deserved recognition. Her remarkable achievements, ongoing engagement with the HKU community, and dedication continue to inspire us all, bringing great pride to our Sociology Department.

Tarani Chandola

Head

Department of Sociology