Dr. CHOW Oi Wah Esther (周愛華)

Based on the strong belief that an individual can be empowered to face life challenges with resilience, Dr Chow’s current research interests lie in the main areas of narrative practice as a therapeutic approach, life adversities and wisdom, self-help and mutual-aid, spirituality and recovery, resilience and culture, intergenerational capitals, and age-friendly university.

In view of increasing urges toward accountable practices in academia, social and health professions, most of her teaching and research scholarship is applied and practice-oriented. In collaboration with students, colleagues, and professional practitioners, she investigates the effects of practice, service models and special public policies in the contexts of higher education, health and social care.

Discovering and appreciating positive outlook of life within personal and contextual drawbacks, she is committed to infusing strengths-based perspective in shaping knowledge through developing curriculums, conducting researches and delivering knowledge-transfer activities to achieve capacity-building.

She has developed new interdisciplinary courses with colleagues from social work, psychology, counseling and language disciplines for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Besides, she has established a network of community practice in health and social care industries to deliver effective interventions and capacity-building opportunities to different groups of individuals with special needs, including Social Work and Counselling students, older adults, family caregivers, persons with disabilities, chronically-ill persons such as stroke survivors and persons living with pain.

Other than publishing Practice Manuals and outcome studies with practitioners in health and social arenas, her academic articles appear in both Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Oxford, SAGE and Routledge journals. Being awarded as a GSA Fellow in 2015, CADENZA fellow by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in 2008, she has also received Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award by City University of Hong Kong in 2013 and 2021.

• Associate Professor
• Chan Sui Kau Hall, Residence Master
• Visiting Scholar, Columbia School of School Work
• Visiting Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
• Co-Chair, Social Work Programmes Qualification Recognitions Reviews (2021-2023)
• Certified Counsellor, the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
• Associate Fellow, Approved Counselling Supervisor, the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association

Previous Experience

• July 2020 - June 2021, Master of Arts, Applied Social Sciences (MAASS), Programme Leader
• July 2014 - June 2018, BSS(SW) Programme, Programme Leader
• July 2013 - Jun 2014, Director, Practicum Education & Liaison (Social Work & Counselling)
• Sep 2007 - Jun 2013, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong.
• Jan 1995 - Aug 2007, Senior Lecturer, Division of Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.
• Sep 1992 - Dec 1994, Lecturer, Division of Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.
• 1989 - 1992, Executive Director, Chinese Information and Community Services, Toronto, Canada.
• 1982 - 1989, Executive Secretary, Au Shue Hung Health Centre, Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Hong Kong.

Commendation

• Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, 2021
• Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions Clubs International Foundation, dedicated to Humanitarian services, 2017
• Salome Raheim Award: Narrative Practitioners in addressing privilege and dominance, Dulwich Centre, Adelaide, Australia
• GSA Fellow, Gerontological Society of America, since 2015
• Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, 2013
• Research Fellow, Sau Po Centre of Aging, University of Hong Kong, since 2009
• CADENZA Fellow, Jockey Club Charities Trust, since 2008
• Board of Trustees, AU Shue Hung Foundation, since 1988

• Health and aging
• Disability and rehabilitation
• Narrative practice
• Outcome studies

Previous Research Interests

• Evidence-based practice for professional accountability and development is essential. Past research primarily involved partnerships with NGOs in outcome studies: Senior Citizen Card (1996), Community Rehabilitation Network (1996), Estate Management Advisory Committee (1997), Networking Strategies Initiatives (1997–2000; 2004-6), Community Care Services (2003), Self-help organization (2007), Elderly vaccination behavior (2009), and Drug Formulary (2010).

Award and Achievement

• Jul 2016 “Salome Raheim Award 2016: Narrative Pratitioners in addressing privilege and dominance” Dulwich Centre, Adelaide, Australia. [URL]
• Nov 2015 “GAS Fellow” Gerontological Society of America (GSA). It is an acknowledgment of Dr. Chow's outstanding and continuing work in gerontology from the Society. GSA, is the largest interdisciplinary organisation devoted to the field of aging in America. [Social Research, Policy & Practice]
• 2013 “Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award ” College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. [Strength-based “Train the Trainer” Practice: Narrative therapy in Action]
• 2009“Research Fellow” Sau Po Centre of Aging, University of Hong Kong.
• 2008 “CADENZA Fellow” The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a project launched in 2006 by HKJCCT with a donation of HK$380 million, is aimed at nurturing academic leadership in gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes through cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society. [Leadership Training & Research]
• 1994 “Best Teaching Team Award, College Quality Award (Category A)” City University of Hong Kong.

Professional Activity

• Feb 2017 - Now, Associate Fellow, Approved Counselling Supervisor,, The Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association.Hong Kong..Hong Kong.
• Jan 2014 - Jun 2014, members of Organizing committee, 2014 Conference on Social Work and Social Substainability in Asia.City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
• 2013 - Now, Founding Member,, Hong Kong Society of Behavioral Health,.Hong Kong.
• 2008 - 2014, Honorary Public Secretary, Hong Kong Remotivation Therapy Association .Hong Kong.
• 2003 - Now, Research Fellow, Sau Po Centre on Aging, HKU .Hong Kong.
• 1986 - Now, Board of Trustees, Au Shue Hung Foundation .Hong Kong.

Consultancy Service

• 2015 - 2016, Research and Knowledge Transfer in working with persons living with pain, The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council .Hong Kong.
• Jun 2013 - Now, Advisor, HK Society for Rehab, Community Rehab Network (Stroke Team).Hong Kong.
• 2012 - 2015, Consultancy on Research and Practice, Yang Memorial Social Services Choi Hung DECC,.Hong Kong.

Training Service

• Feb 2012 - Mar 2012, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Sha Tin Day Care Centre for the Elderly (NT East Cluster).
• Jan 2012 - Feb 2012, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Community Rehabilitation Network (Prince of Wales) (NTE Cluster)..Shatin, NT.
• Dec 2011 - Jan 2012, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Salvation Army Tai Po Multi-Service Centre for Senior Citizens (NT East Cluster).
• Nov 2011 - Dec 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service Centre Southern District Elderly Community Centre (AKWASSC).Hong Kong West Cluster.
• Oct 2011 - Nov 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Western District Elderly Community Centre (HK Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Sep 2011 - Oct 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Community Rehabilitation Network (Prince of Wales) (NTE Cluster)..NT.
• Sep 2011 - Oct 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service Hong Kong, Ma On Shan District Elderly Community Centre (NTE Cluster).Shatin, NT.
• Jul 2011 - Aug 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, The Neighbourhood Advice-action Council, Tuen Mun District Integrated Services Centre for the Elderly (NT West Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Jun 2011 - Aug 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Community Rehabilitation Network (Kornhill Centre) (HK Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Jun 2011 - Jul 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Mongkok Kai-Fong Association Limited Chan Hing Social Service Centre (Kowloon Central Cluster).Hong Kong.
• May 2011 - Jun 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Salvation Army Yau Ma Tei Multi-service Centre for Senior Citizens (Kowloon Central Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Feb 2011 - Mar 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens (Kowloon Central Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Dec 2010 - Jan 2011, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Christian Family Service Center True Light Villa District Elderly Community Centre (Kowloon East Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Sep 2010 - Oct 2010, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Hong Kong Christian Service Wan Hon District Elderly Community Centre (Kowloon East Cluster).Hong Kong.
• Apr 2010 - May 2010, A ‘Train the Trainer’ Program on Narrative Therapy (NT) & Psycho-educational (PE) to the social workers, Po Leung Kuk Lau Chan Siu Po District Elderly Community Centre (Kowloon East Cluster).Hong Kong.

Community Service

• 2015 - Now, Member of Advisory Committee of Charity, The Hong Kong Christian Churches Union .Hong Kong.
• 2001 - Now, Honorary Advisor to the Board of Directors, Hong Kong Stroke Association .Hong Kong.

Administrative Assignment

• July 2020 - present, Master of Art, Applied Social Sciences, Programme Leader
• Jul 2014 - Jun 2018, BSS(SW) Programme, Programme Leader
• Jul 2013 - Jun 2014, Practicum Education and Liaison (for social work and counselling programs) , Director
• 2011 - 2014, BSSSW Programme, Fieldwork Coordinator
• 2010 - 2014, BSSSW Programme, Associate Program Leader

Research / Thesis Supervision

• 2013 - 2018, Research Area: Chinese Spousal Caregiving, Masters of Philosophy, Yuk Yi WONG.
• 2011 - 2012, Work-family Conflict of Working Mothers in HK, MSSC project supervision.
• 2010 - 2011, Transition to Single Parenthood among Lone Mothers in HK, MSSC project supervision.
• 2010 - 2011, Self-perceived Adjustment process of Early Retired Men in HK, MSSC project supervision.

• 2019 - Now, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Sciences (Counselling) & Master of Applied Social Sciences, SS5832 Counselling Older Adults.
• 2019 - Now, GE2226, Aging Society: Hong Kong and Beyond
• 2015 - Now, Bachelor of Social Work: BSSSW & BASW, SS4215 Health and Aging.
• Sep 2013 - 2018, Master of Social Work, SS5212 , Human Behaviour and Diversity.
• Jun 2013 - Now, Master of Social Work & Social Science (Counseling), & Master of Applied Social Sciences, S5805, Narrative-based Therapeutic Conversations: Theory and Practice.
• Jan 2013 - 2018, Bachelor of Social Work, SS3280, Human Behaviour and Social Environment.
• 2011 - 2015, Bachelor of Social Work, SS4215, Working with Older Adults.
• 2007 - 2014, Bachelor of Social Work, SS3293 & SS4293, Practicum I & II.
• 2007 - 2015, Bachelor of Social Work, SS3277/ SS2277 (as from 2012), Team Building and Group Work Skills Laboratory.

• Messages from BSSSW alumni and current Social Work students (with images)  
• Students’ Sharing after participating Voices of the People/powerless Project  
• Voices of stroke survivors and their carers: Rekindling the glory of life through narra-drama