FAQs
Do you work with scholars on careers, promotion, or grants outside of Hong Kong?
Yes. I’ve spent three decades inside Hong Kong and Taiwan’s research universities, but I’ve helped scholars land positions and secure funding worldwide, and reviewed grant and promotion applications across Europe, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. If my experience can help with your career search, promotion case, or grant application, wherever you are, I’m glad to work with you.
What if I don’t really know what I want yet?
My coaching works best for scholars who already know they want to compete in academia and are ready to build a specific strategy to get there. If you’re still deciding whether academia is right for you, or whether to pursue a PhD, I’d recommend starting with your current professors or academic advisors—they’re better placed to help with that earlier-stage decision.
My research output isn’t very strong. Am I still competitive for a position in Hong Kong?
It depends on the type of position you’re aiming for. Hong Kong universities offer teaching-track positions, which weigh research less heavily than research-track roles. If teaching is where your strengths and interests lie, I can help you build a competitive case for that track as well.
How long do your coaching packages usually last?
I design packages for each scholar’s unique situation. If tenure review is still several years out, we might set up a longer-term package with three or four meetings a year plus email check-ins along the way. For an active job search, packages typically run through the hiring cycle, often four to six months, from materials through interview prep and negotiation. For an active grant application, packages typically run three to four months. For a tenure or promotion case coming up soon, packages usually run three to six months.
What is a Strategic Fit Call, and is it really free?
It’s a short call where we figure out whether we’re the right fit and, if so, which coaching package makes sense for where you are right now. It’s free, with no obligation to move forward afterward. While I can’t answer specific questions until we’re in a coaching-client relationship, you’ll leave the call with a clear idea of what working together would actually look like.
Do you work with scholars in all fields, or just certain disciplines?
I work across disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities and social sciences. Committees and funding bodies evaluate records differently depending on the field, and knowing those differences is part of the job.
Do you lecture on these topics to a department or faculty?
Yes. I speak to departments and faculties on the same areas I coach on individually: preparing PhD students and junior scholars for the job market, writing competitive GRF or ECS proposals, building strong tenure and promotion cases, and growing faculty visibility and knowledge impact. Reach out through the contact form and we can shape a session around what’s most useful for your group.
Is our coaching relationship confidential?
Yes. Everything we discuss stays between us.
Can you guarantee I’ll get the position, tenure, or grant?
No. No one can—those decisions ultimately sit with committees, funders, or hiring panels outside either of our control. What I can guarantee is a tested strategy and clear, expert feedback on your files.
