Dr Lindsay Shen, Director of Research and Head of the Division of Events Management, recently had her first book of Knowledge is Pleasure: Florence Ayscough in Shanghai published by Hong Kong University Press. This is also the first academic pulishcation accomplished by staff at SBC. Dr Shen has been invited to speak at the Hong Kong International Literature Festival in mid-October. To know more about her book, the journalist of SBC News Centre interviewed her on October 29.
Q: What is your original idea to do the research of Florence’ life?
A: When I came to China, I was a historian. My background is art history. When I came to your country, I started to learn about Chinese history. I was doing a lot of reading about Shanghai history in the Shanghai library, and I discovered her books. I didn’t know anything about her, so I thought to let people know her. I discovered that many museums have lots of materials about her. That offered me part of my research.
Q: During the writing and publication, have you met any problems?
A: Yes, in China it was difficult to find primary sources like letters and photography. However, librarians in other countries helped me by sending me material over the Internet. They are also Chinese sources. I asked librarians for help. I also went to the United States to do primary research.
Q: As the writer of the first book in SBC, what do you want to share with those teachers who also want to publish a book?
A: Don’t be daunted. Don’t be discouraged by the idea because the process of writing a book is hugely pleasurable. It gives you a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Q: Do you think the publication of books will improve SBC’s academic process?
A: Definitely. Part of my job is to help encourage other people to publish things and also help students to assist faculty to do research and maybe work as research assistants to help faculty. We can all contribute to research.
Q: How do you think SBC’s students can contribute to SBC’s academic process?
A: As a head of research, I think part of my job is try to provide opportunities for faculty and for students to do more research, including students who want to go on master’s programmes. It’s very good for them to demonstrate that they have done research for the faculty. Students can move forward by helping faculty research things that are happening in China right now.
Q: As the Director of Research in SBC, how do you plan to improve the academic work for SBC?
A: I think our research as faculty can feed into our teaching. For instance, in Events Management, we could be doing research on, for example, the conference industry in China right now or the exhibition industry. In my case, you know, because I’m teaching Events Design, I can research trends in Chinese event design. There the students can help because they have the language ability.
