The Shakespeare Drama Competition 2026 finale is here! Twenty shortlisted participants will bring to life some of the Bard’s most iconic characters and unleash the potential for contemporary reinterpretation of the classic monologues and dialogues on stage. Everyone is invited!
Date: 28 March 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Venue: 1/F, N102, Alice Lam Lecture Theatre, Lo Hui Kit San, HSUHK
The Bootstrap Theater (TBT) is a group based in Hong Kong, staging contemporary, socially relevant theatrical work for an international, multicultural audience. Its name, “Bootstrap”, embodies their go-getting, determined, and passionate spirit.
TBT’s mission is to tell bold, thought-provoking, and relevant stories on stage that starkly and honestly reflect modern society through world-class theatre productions.
By cultivating an artistic and creative community in Hong Kong—from actors, dancers, and musicians to writers, directors, and filmmakers, as well as backstage, administration, and marketing personnel—TBT embraces the diversity and inclusivity that only theatre can bring.
About the Workshop
The workshop provides pointers and suggestions on re-imagining Shakespeare’s works for modern audiences—from conceptualisation to staging direction and actors’ performances. It will delve deeper into ways to make Shakespeare more relatable and accessible, such as setting localisation and drawing parallels with current events and societies. Examples of modernised or adapted Shakespearean stories will also be given and discussed.
Lead Workshop Facilitator: William Elvin Manzano
William Elvin Manzano is a theatre veteran from Manila, Philippines, having graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman’s theatre arts programme under the mentorship of Philippine National Artist Tony Mabesa and many other Philippine theatre luminaries.
William has done numerous productions around Metro Manila from 2005 to 2013, taking on various roles as actor, director, writer, and composer, before relocating to Hong Kong in 2014. His most well-known work as a writer-composer, the original Filipino musical Mula sa Buwan, garnered multiple awards, including Best Musical (Aliw Awards) and Original Score (Philstage Gawad Buhay) in 2023 – and is now regarded as a contemporary classic in Philippine theatre. In Hong Kong, he is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Bootstrap Theatre, for which he has directed acclaimed Filipino playwright Floy Quintos’ full-length play FAKE in June 2025. He is set to direct the premiere laboratory staging of his new musical titled JOB: Fateful Fever Dream in July 2026.
Re-imagining, Staging and Performing Shakespeare Today Drama Workshop by Bootstrap Theatre
Date: 24 March 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Venue: 2/F, CR219, Function Room, Creative Humanities Hub, HSUHK
This International Conference on Green Language Education: Advancing Environmental Literacy Through Sustainable Language Teaching and Learning aims to unite researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide to explore the critical intersection of environmental consciousness and language education. With its focus on promoting ecological awareness through innovative pedagogical approaches, the Conference serves as a vital platform for sharing sustainable teaching practices, research findings, and creative initiatives that bridge language learning with environmental stewardship.
The Conference will consist of seven keynote speeches, an interactive round-table discussion and several networking sessions. The keynote speeches will be presented by internationally renowned scholars from the following well-established universities: the University of Alabama, Harvard University, University of Gloucestershire, University of Southern Denmark, Mississippi State University, Tokoha University, and the University of New South Wales, who have expertise in ecolinguistics, environmental education, sustainable language pedagogy, and cross-cultural environmental discourse. The speakers will share examples of good practices, research insights and evidence-informed advice and suggestions with the participants. The discussion will focus on four carefully selected themes related to environmental literacy and sustainable language education. In addition, the round-table discussion will facilitate the sharing of effective strategies and practices in the field of green language teaching and learning, and stimulate new research ideas and insights. During the networking sessions, the participants will also have opportunities to establish potential professional collaborations to further develop and generate innovative approaches to incorporating environmental literacy into contemporary language education.
We welcome researchers, educators, practitioners, and environmental advocates to join this transformative gathering. Together, let us embark on a collaborative journey to integrate environmental literacy into language education, foster sustainable teaching practices, and nurture a generation of environmentally conscious global citizens through innovative language teaching and learning approaches.
Keynote Speakers
Professor Arran Stibbe
Professor of Narrative Ecology, University of Gloucestershire, UK
Professor Stephen Cowley
Professor Emeritus (Culture and Language), University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Professor Karen Thornber
President of Phi Beta Kappa Alpha Iota of Massachusetts; Richard L. Menschel Faculty Director of Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning; Harry Tuchman Levin Professor in Literature; Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, USA
Professor Keith Moser
Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Mississippi State University, USA
Professor Peter Hourdequin
Professor of Foreign Studies, Tokoha University, Japan
Dr Robert Poole
Associate Professor of TESOL, The University of Alabama, USA
Professor Tema Milstein
Professor of Environment & Society, The University of New South Wales, Australia
Important Dates
Conference dates: 15 July, 2026 to 17 July, 2026
Early bird abstract submission deadline: 15 April, 2026
Final abstract submission deadline: 30 May, 2026
Results of abstract review returned to authors: Generally within three weeks
Full conference paper submission (after the event): 31 August, 2026
call for papers
We invite submissions of original research papers, innovative projects, and practical case studies that align with the conference themes and contribute to the advancement of green language education. Presentations can encompass theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, pedagogical approaches, and innovative practices that enhance environmental literacy through sustainable language teaching and learning experiences.
We encourage submissions on a wide range of topics related to green language education and advancing environmental literacy, including but not limited to:
Ecolinguistics and the Role of Language in Shaping Environmental Perceptions
Integrating Environmental Education and Sustainability Themes in Language Curricula
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) for Environmental Topics
Green Pedagogy and Environmentally-Based Language Teaching Approaches
Project-Based Learning with Environmental and Sustainability Themes in Language Education
Ecological Discourse Analysis in Language Teaching and Materials
Addressing Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Environmental Justice Through Language Learning
Multimodal and Multiliteracies Approaches to Environmental Literacy
Eco-Criticism, Ecofeminism, and Literary Perspectives in Language Education
Developing Learner Autonomy and Critical Thinking for Sustainable Futures in Language Classrooms
Teacher Training and Professional Development for Sustainable Language Education
Assessment and Evaluation in Green Language Teaching Environments
Technology-Assisted Sustainable Language Learning (e.g., Green Digital Tools and Eco-Friendly Platforms)
Promoting Environmental Awareness and Action Through Language Practices
Submission Guidelines:
Abstract submissions should not exceed 400 words and must include the title, author(s) names and affiliations, and contact information.
Full papers should be original and not previously published or under review elsewhere.
The accepted language for submissions is English.
Submission Process:
Please submit your abstracts here. All submissions will undergo a blind peer-review process conducted by the conference review committee.
Should you have any inquiries or require any further information, please email Dr Michael Wong [Email address: michaelltwong@twc.edu.hk] or Dr Heidi Wong [Email address: heidiwong@hsu.edu.hk].
For both paper presenters and conference attendees, please secure your place at the conference by filling out the online registration form here.
Should you have any inquiries or require any further information, please email Dr Michael Wong [Email address: michaelltwong@twc.edu.hk] or Dr Heidi Wong [Email address: heidiwong@hsu.edu.hk].
The Department of English cordially invites you to join the upcoming presentation, Exploration on Alternative International Benchmarking: An Introduction to LanguageCert,organized by the English Language Centre, on 26 February 2026 (Thursday).
Date: 26 February 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Lecture Hall CR002, Creative Humanities Hub
Guest Speaker:Fraser Cargill, Director of Global Partnerships and Recognition, PeopleCert
Registration: Complete this online form to reserve a seat. Available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Remarks: 1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the presentation
Introduction
LanguageCert is an Awarding Organisation recognised by Ofqual. It spearheads innovations in language assessment and certification, providing high-quality services to the global learners’ community. It is a UK-based member of the PeopleCert Group, a global leader in the certification industry, that delivers millions of exams in over 200 countries.
Bio
Fraser Cargill has more than 25 years of management experience in education across Europe, Asia and Australia. His expertise is in educational outcomes audits, high-stakes language assessments, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and transnational education. He has worked as an international education consultant with numerous university, government and corporate clients, including Austrade, The British Council, Pearson, and University of Liverpool amongst others. He also spent more than a decade at Pearson, in a number of senior executive roles, including VP roles for VUE and for Pearson Language Tests (PTE), contributing to the development and launch of the PTE Academic and Government Relations – focusing on relationships with multi-lateral donors and Ministries of Education in APAC.
The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar,Romeo’s Woes & Ophelia’s Dole: Performing Noble and Poisonous Deaths in Shakespeare, to be organised on 15 January 2026 (Thursday).
In conjunction with the Shakespeare Drama Competition 2026, this seminar offers an exciting opportunity to elevate your interpretative and vocal performance skills. Dive into the dramatic intensity of Shakespeare’s most unforgettable and tragic scenes and bring them to life with confidence and power! Applications close on 23 February 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of this celebration of Shakespeare’s enduring legacy.
Date:
15 January 2025 (Thursday)
Time:
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue:
A315, S H Ho Academic Building, HSUHK
Speaker:
Dr. Chloe Leung, Assistant Professor, Department of English
1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the seminar
Abstract
This one-hour seminar will train students to perform selected excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays, focusing on the dramatisation of death in Hamlet and Rome and Juliet. Students will analyse the excerpts and learn how to appropriately vocalise the plays’ tragic tone.
Bio
Dr. Chloe Leung holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, specializing in Modernist Literature. Her thesis investigates how modernist works (Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, E.M. Forster, and Jean Rhys) deploy free indirect discourse to disentangle “illness” and “disability” from medical/scientific paradigms. Her latest article examines how un-speak-ability in Woolf moves away from an ableism that restricts sense-making intelligence. In addition to modernist studies, Dr. Leung is also interested in dance studies. She has examined how balletic movements contribute to Woolf’s representation of death in an article “A Rhapsody for Tuesday: Undercurrents in Virginia Woolf’s The Waves (1931) and the Royal Ballet’s Woolf Works (2015)” (2022). Dr. Leung is currently an Assistant Professor at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
For enquiries, please feel free to contact us at eng@hsu.edu.hk.
The Department of English at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) is delighted to invite you, together with your school’s teachers and students, to attend the book launch of The Fairytale World of Hans Christian Andersen. Please find the event details below:
《安徒生的童話世界》新書發布會
“The Fairytale World of Hans Christian Andersen” Book Launch
安徒生逝世150周年紀念出版 | 香港恒生大學師生聯手策劃
Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen’s Passing | Co-curated by Faculty & Students of HSUHK
活動詳情 Event Details
📅 日期 Date：2025年12月19日（星期五） | 19 December 2025 (Friday)
⏰ 時間 Time：下午3時至4時 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 地點 Venue：香港恒生大學何善衡教學大樓龐熊少珠講堂（A315） | Pong Hong Siu Chu Lecture Hall (A315), S H Ho Academic Building, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
The Department is pleased to announce that Professor Kwok-kan Tam, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) and Chair Professor of English, will deliver a lecture as part of the “Winter in Kräftriket” series organized by the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Stockholm University.
Venue: Kräftriket, Stockholm University Date: Friday 28 November 2025 Time: 15.00 – 17.00 Location: Bio Grand, Sveavägen 45, Stockholm
This lecture forms part of an ongoing initiative to foster scholarly dialogue and interdisciplinary exchange within Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. We warmly encourage faculty members, students, and colleagues to attend and engage with Professor Tam’s insights.
Hello, HSUHK Students, Staff, and Hidden City Writers!
We are thrilled to let you know that there would be a precious opportunity to get published in our prestigious literary journal The Kaleidoscope Chronicle. The theme of the upcoming issue in 2026 is “moon.”
The moon has long been a silent witness to human longing, a solitary companion to poets from Li Bai to Percy Shelley. It is a symbol of the unreachable, the introspective, and the eternally cyclical. Hong Kong, a city perpetually resituating its identity with the rhythmic persistence of lunar phases, holds countless stories in its constant yet changing light.
The Kaleidoscope Chronicle is a literary journal proudly hosted by HSUHK’s Department of English. In 2025, its inaugural issue 2025: The Year of Hans Christian Andersen has marked a magnificent success in capturing HSUHK’s newest literary voice. To continue the creative spirit of HSUHK students and staff, our second issue is now inviting creative and academic works that are both mystically mundane and profoundly mysterious, which illuminate Hong Kong’s hidden narratives. From the saying that “the moon seen in a foreign land is rounder than seen at home” to the revised colloquial “the moon is always roundest when seen at home,” Hong Kong, like the moon herself, has witnessed the waxing and waning of loneliness and companionship. We invite you to explore this landscape and contribute your voice to an ancient yet modern conversation.
We welcome all types of creative works and academic writing related to or inspired by the “moon.”
We encourage narrative magic that builds immersive worlds where time and space become flexible. Submitted works can include, but are not limited to:
Short Stories & Novellas: up to 8 A4 pages, singled-spaced;
Memoirs & Creative Non-Fiction: up to 8 A4 pages, singled-spaced;
Poetry: up to 3 poems, 6 A4 pages in total;
Video Essays (which might dissolve boundaries between the personal and the mythological): 5-15 minutes;
Hybrid & Experimental Forms: as you can imagine;
Academic Essays & Reviews: 2,000-5,000 words for academic essays, or 1,000-2,000 words for reviews, acceptable formats include student essays or project papers that follow the MLA documentation style;
Artworks: photographs, drawings, paintings, cartoon illustrations, and any other related works.
Submission Guidelines:
Submit your work(s) to engjournal@hsu.edu.hk by 17:00, 31 January 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Indicate your submission category, student number, name, degree programme and School in your email. If your works are in textual format, we will accept Word document only. If the works are images, we will accept JPEG files no larger than 3 MB.
Include a 100-word author/artist bio to introduce yourself.
FAQ
What are the incentives of the open call?
All selected writers will receive a complimentary copy of the beautifully printed journal. The e-journal will be registered with ISSN and DOI*, a credential that can significantly enhance your writing career. Your work will also be included in the permanent collection of the HSU library database.
*DOIs may only be applicable to certain articles.
Who will be reviewing my work?
All submissions will be reviewed by the editorial board of The Kaleidoscope Chronicle, which consists of teaching staff from the ENG faculty.
When will I be notified of the submission result?
All selected works and unsuccessful submissions will be notified the latest by the end of June, 2026.
By weaving these threads together, The Kaleidoscope Chronicle offers a precious platform for you to retell a story under a Hong Kong moon or the other moons of your version, transforming personal intimacy into a transcendent, enduring light.
For any enquiries, please contact us at engjournal@hsu.edu.hk. We look forward to reading your chronicles!
Calling all actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts! We are thrilled to announce the Shakespeare Drama Competition 2026, a premier event where you can breathe life into the Bard’s most iconic characters.
This is your stage to showcase your talent, passion, and interpretation of timeless classics. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the world of Shakespeare, we invite you to take part in this exciting challenge.
Competition Details:
Categories
Secondary Schools: Students aged 12 – 17 years old
