Dr LEE, Tsz Lok Trevor    李子樂 博士
Associate Professor
Department of Education Policy and Leadership
Contact
ORCiD
0000-0002-8081-720X
Phone
(852) 2948 8312
Email
ttllee@eduhk.hk
Address
10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Scopus ID
57199407911
Research Interests
  • Stratification
  • Parenting
  • Policy

External Appointments

Editorial board member

Current Sociology

The British Journal of Sociology of Education


2018-2020

Council member, Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong


2019-2021

Consultant, Program evaluation for the 'Parenting for a Peaceful World' project, EDiversity Limited, Hong Kong

Personal Profile

Dr. Lee Trevor Tsz-lok is an associate professor and associate head in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). Dr. Lee is a sociologist working on the field of education, particularly inequality and stratification, parenting, and policy. His research has a strong social justice agenda. In pursuing his research agenda, he is particularly interested in the question of why - specifically, seeking to understand what underlying mechanisms contribute to existing inequalities, rather than simply proposing solutions from the outset. His work has been published in Sociology, Current Sociology, British Journal of Sociology of Education, Educational Review, Educational Management, Administration & Leadership, among others. Dr. Lee has been appointed to serve on the Editorial Boards of the world's leading SSCI journals: British Journal of Sociology of Education and Current Sociology.

Research Interests

  • Stratification
  • Parenting
  • Policy

External Appointments

Editorial board member

Current Sociology

The British Journal of Sociology of Education


2018-2020

Council member, Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong


2019-2021

Consultant, Program evaluation for the 'Parenting for a Peaceful World' project, EDiversity Limited, Hong Kong

Research Outputs

Scholarly Books, Monographs and Chapters
Chapter in an edited book (author)
Kwan, P., Li, B.Y.M., & Lee, T.T. (2020). Neolıberal Challenges in Public Schools in Hong Kong: An East Asian Model?. Khalid Arar, Deniz Örücü, Jane Wilkinson, Neoliberalism and Education Systems in Conflict: Exploring Challenges Across the Globe (29-39). New York: Routledge.

Journal Publications
Publication in refereed journal
Lee, T.T. (2024). The texture of parental experiences with online learning: the interplay of norms, relationships, and emotions.. British Journal of Sociology of Education, Advance online publication, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2024.2426143
Lee, T.T.L. (2024). Beyond Conventional Metrics: Alternative Middle-Class Choice among Chinese Homeschooling Families.. Sociology, 58(5), 1207-1224. https://doi.org/10.1177/00380385241234308
Lee, T.L.T. (2024). Leadership for inclusive online learning in public primary schools during COVID-19: A multiple case study in Hong Kong. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(6), 1434-1454. https://doi.org/10.1177/174114322211353
Lee, T.T.L. & Chiu S.W.K. (2024). Educational value priorities of Chinese parents in a global city: A mixed-methods study in Hong Kong. Education and Urban Society, 56(9), 1142-1161. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245241262019
Ho, C.S.M., Lee, T.T., & Lu, J. (2024). Enhancing School Appeal: How Experiential Marketing Influences Perceived School Attractiveness in the Urban Context. Education and Urban Society., 56(6), 703-727. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245231205
Lee, T.T.L. (2023). Homeschooling in Chinese cities: educational implications for post-pandemic schools. Educational Review https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2023.2234662
Lee, T.L.T (2023). Social class, intensive parenting norms and parental values for children. Current Sociology, 71(6), 964-981. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921211048531
Lee, T.T.L. (2023). Towards a textural sociological approach to single mothers’ voices: a study of Hong Kong mothers. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, .44(4), 548-561. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2022.2026890
Lee, T.T. (2022). Reform at the Intersection of Loose Coupling and Pedagogic Modalities: The Case of Hong Kong. Education and Urban Society, 54(1), 54-76.
Lee, T.T. & Luo, X. (2021). Women’s perceived support of parents and parents-in-law in China: Socioeconomic resources, reciprocity, and family context. Chinese Journal of Sociology, 7(2), 171-193.
Lee, T.T., Kwan, P., & Li, B.Y.M. (2019). Neoliberal challenges in context: a case of Hong Kong. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(4), 641-652.
Lee, T.L., & Ma, X. (2019). Identity and border setting: A qualitative study of homeworkers in China. Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, 15(2), 94-113.
Fong, E., Lee, T. T., Shibuya, K., Wang, J., & Yang, Y. (2018). Trust towards Conventional Businesses and E-Businesses by Socioeconomic Status in China. Comparative Sociology, 17 (3-4), 279-298.
Lee, T. T., & Chiu, S. W. K. (2018). Conduit for Engagement? School Curriculum and Youth Political Participation in Hong Kong. YOUNG, 26 (2), 161-178.
Lee, T. T.-L. (2018). Revisiting the role of pedagogic contexts in social class analysis: A Bernsteinian approach. International Review of Sociology, 28(1), 133-149.
Lee, T. T., & Chiu, S. W. K. (2016). Curriculum Reform and the Social Class Achievement Gap. Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, 12 (2), 148-165.
Publication in policy or professional journal
Ling, B., & Lee, T. T. (2007). Where Is The ‘Frugal Olympics’? Internet Voices Protest Extravagance. China Rights Forum, 3, 54-61.

Conference Papers
Invited conference paper
Lee, T.T.L. (2021, June). Homeschooling in Asia (South): Singapore and Hong Kong. Quality Learning Conference (in Chinese), Taiwan.
Refereed conference paper
Lee, T.T.L. (2022, December). Homeschooling in Chinese Cities: The Middle-class Remaking of Chinese Parenting? [Paper presentation]. Hong Kong Sociological Association 23rd Annual Conference, Hong Kong. https://www.ln.edu.hk/socsp/news-and-events/conferences
Lee, T.T.L. & Chu, L.Y. (2022, April). Chinese Parents Exercising Alternative Middle-Class Choice: A Study of Homeschooling in Hong Kong. British Sociological Association Annual Conference, UK. https://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/annual-conference-archive/
Chan, C.H. & Lee, T.T. (2022, January). The Social Side of Online Learning: A Case Study of Hong Kong Primary Schools during COVID-19. The 22nd Annual Conference of Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong.
Lee, T.L. (2019, July). Beyond Structure Versus Culture: Class-specific Parenting Practices in Hong Kong. Proceedings of the Middle-Term Conference RC04 Sociology of Education International Sociological Association (ISA), Moscow, Russia.
Luo, X., & Lee, T. T. (2018, December). Main Patterns and Determinants of Married Women’s Support to Parents and Parents-in-law in China. The 20th Annual Conference of the Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong.
Ma, X., & Lee, T. T. (2018, December). Work-Leisure Borders in Post-Industrial Society: The Study of Leisure Experience of Homeworkers in China. The 20th Annual Conference of the Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong.
Fong, E., Lee T. T., Shibuya, K., Wang, J., & Yang, Y. (2017, November). Trust towards Institutions among the Successful during the Economic Reform. International Conference on Trust, Tokyo, Japan.
Lee, T. T. (2017, August). Career and Life Adventure Planning for Youth---Model, Collaboration and Tools. The Annual Convention of American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., USA.
Lee, T. T., Yuen, M. K., Cheng, Y. L. G., & Leung, S.A. (2017, August). Life Skills Self-Efficacy, School Connectedness and Meaning in Life: Immigrant Students in Hong Kong. The Annual Convention of American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., USA.
Leung, S. A., Lee, T. T., & Cheng Y. L. G. (2017, August). Factors Predicting Changes in Students’ Perceptions of Career Decision-Making Difficulties. The Annual Convention of American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., USA.
Leung, S. A., Lee T. T., & Cheng, Y. L. G. (2017, May). Personal and Social Contextual Influences on Career Decision Making Difficulties of Chinese High School Adolescents. The Annual Meeting of American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Lee, T. T., Cheng Y. L. G., Ho, M., Ho, E.Y.F., & Leung, S.A. (2016, August). Contributions of Interest and Competence to Career Indecision among Chinese High School Students. The Annual Convention of American Psychological Association, Denver, CO, USA.
Chiu, S. W. K., & Lee, T. T. (2015, May). Class-based Achievement Gap in Liberal Studies of New Senior Secondary Curriculum in Hong Kong. The Taiwan─HK Sociology and Social Image Conference, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee, T. T. (2014, December). An Exploratory Study of the Politicizing Effect of Liberal Studies on Student Activism. The 16th Annual Conference of the Hong Kong Sociological Association, Hong Kong.
Chiu, S. W. K., & Lee, T. T. (2014, July). Integrative Forms of Curriculum and Pedagogy: A Bernsteinian Analysis of Liberal Studies in Hong Kong. The International Basil Bernstein Symposium, Nagoya, Japan.
Chiu, S. W. K., & Lee, T. T. (2014, April). Revisiting Basil Bernstein: Social Class and Curriculum Studies. British Sociological Association Annual Conference, London, UK.
Chiu, S. W. K., & Lee, T. T. (2013, February). Bringing Class (back) in Curriculum Reform: The Case of Hong Kong. The Annual Conference of The Hong Kong Educational Research Association, Hong Kong.

Creative and Literary Works, Consulting Reports and Case Studies
Written teaching case study or extensive note
Lee, T. T. (2019). Research Ethics as a Process: A Qualitative Study of Foreign Domestic Workers and Their Employers in Hong Kong. SAGE Research Methods Cases.. UK: SAGE Publishing.

Projects

Understanding Digital Inequality through Digital Socialization: An Ethnographic Study
This funded work aims to support the preparation work of the GRF application on the same topic mainly by conducting literature review and framework development.
Project Start Year: 2023, Principal Investigator(s): LEE, Tsz Lok, Trevor

 
An Exploratory Study on the Factors Affecting the Place of Attachment and Belongingness of Hong Kong Permanent Residents
This research cluster aims at studying the place of attachment and belongingness of Hong Kong adult permanent residents by using qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews. This proposed research cluster is interdisciplinary in nature since it will draw upon relevant and updated theories and perspectives from politics, sociology, geography, as well as citizenship. For this reason, it will also be a means to strengthen the ongoing collaborations across faculties (FLASS & FEHD) and departments (SSC, APS & EPL). This project is about studying the place of attachment and belongingness of Hong Kong permanent residents. Belongingness, which is defined as a fundamental human need to maintain significant interpersonal relationships (Baumeisseter & Leary, 1995, p. 497) and a desire to take part in a community (Capra & Steindi-Rast, 1991, p. 14), has been an important concept in psychology. However, in the past two decades, the complexity of social conditions and human movements around the world have motivated social scientists from different disciplines to further theorise about it (Antonsich, 2010; Halse, 2018; May, 2013; Yuval-Davis, 2006).
Project Start Year: 2021, Principal Investigator(s): CHAN, Kit Wa, Anita (LEE, Tsz Lok, Trevor as Co-Investigator)

 
Home-School Collaboration as Online Learning Support System: A Case Study of Primary Schools amid Class Suspension in Hong Kong
This proposed study responds to the policy need for research on the challenges confronting schools and families to support the online learning of primary school students amid the class suspensions in Hong Kong. For the majority of the 2019/2020 school year, classes in all local kindergarten, primary and secondary schools have been suspended in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic (and territory-wide protests earlier). The class suspensions have focused the spotlight on pressing issues related to students’ online learning at home.

Over the years, various policy initiatives for the effective online learning of students have been introduced towards, among other milestones, the development of a digital infrastructure (e.g. access to computers or the Internet at home), digital literacy support (for students and their parents) and self-directed learning and family support. Recent policy attention has been drawn to the role of home–school collaboration as the enabling environment of online learning support. Similar to traditional learning environment, home–school collaboration is important in supporting and facilitating students’ online learning. Home–school collaboration becomes particularly critical and apparent when schools have moved classes online during the prolonged class suspension, and the burden of children’s education has fallen increasingly on parental support. Findings of the proposed study are expected to provide an improved understanding of the challenges encountered by schools and families during this critical period, specifically on the possible associations with the existing context of family-school relations. Such understanding is expected to inform the direction for the future development of a long-term effective family support system.

With the view to understand the practices adopted by schools and families of different backgrounds, we will include eight purposively selected school cases for an in-depth case study based on school socioeco

Project Start Year: 2021, Principal Investigator(s): LEE, Tsz Lok Trevor 李子樂

 
Investigating Alternative Middle-Class Choice: A Qualitative Study of Homeschooling in Two Chinese Cities
The proposed project aims to provide in-depth accounts of how Chinese homeschooling parents perceive and make sense of their homeschooling choice, with a particular focus on the relation to social class position. This project is set against the backdrop of recent homeschooling developments in Chinese societies, which have received very little academic and policy attention.

Homeschooling in Chinese cities, including Hong Kong, appears to be largely a ‘middle-class phenomenon’ where often only those better-off families can afford to opt out of mainstream schools. As an expression of parental choice, homeschooling in this context epitomizes (i) a conspicuous exception to the prevailing discourses and norms of
parenting in relation to schooling; (ii) an extreme form of parents’ time- and resource-intensive approaches to childrearing; and (iii) an outlier in Chinese society where school education is highly valued, and success at school is commonly regarded as the key to upward social mobility. Given these considerations, the growing and underestimated
phenomenon of Chinese homeschooling parents constitutes a unique analytical leverage for theorizing a relatively unexplored area of middle-class reproduction processes.

While there are other areas of inquiry, such as the outcomes of homeschooled children, which would also be worth exploring, the central focus of this project is clearly on parents’ homeschooling choice. By examining the motivations, beliefs, and sense-making of Chinese parents in the homeschooling choice, this project seeks to bridge a much-
needed gap in understanding alternative beliefs and choices of the middle class in relation to childrearing and schooling. The project is also a rare attempt to provide a comparative perspective on alternative class choice as well as homeschooling in a transnational context.

A case-study research design is used to examine the experiences and viewpoints of homeschooling parents in two different Chinese cities, namel

Project Start Year: 2021, Principal Investigator(s): LEE, Tsz Lok Trevor 李子樂

 
Examining Social Class Difference in Parenting in Hong Kong
The project aims to analyze the patterns of social class difference in parenting practices and values in Hong Kong.
Project Start Year: 2018, Principal Investigator(s): LEE, Tsz Lok Trevor 李子樂

 
Parenting and Shadow Parenting: Dynamics between Parents and Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong
The project aims to explore the ideologies of parenting and paid childcare work among both the local Chinese parents and their foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
Project Start Year: 2018, Principal Investigator(s): LEE, Tsz Lok Trevor 李子樂

 
Prizes and awards

2017 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence

Date of receipt: 18/5/2017, Conferred by: Emerald Publishing