Ann Gillian Chu

Home country: Canada
Subject of study: PhD Divinity
Year of graduation: 2022
Type/Level of study: Postgraduate

I chose to study at St Andrews because I wanted to work with Dr John Perry, an amazing theological ethicist, who became my doctoral supervisor. It has been such a wonderful experience. Dr Perry spent a lot of time trying to understand my vision and supported me in executing it. I am grateful for his guidance and mentorship. My doctoral thesis is now published as an open-access monograph, Hong Kong Christianities and Civic Life (Routledge, 2026).

I enjoyed my friendships with my colleagues and their families the most. The time we spent together in St Andrews has not only led to lifelong friendships, but also lasting academic collaborations. I was able to invite Dr Andy Everhart (PhD 2023) to Hong Kong, where I am working, to be part of an academic conference. I also invited Dr Robyn Boeré (former faculty member), Dr Maxwell Grant (PhD 2023), Dr Emilie Grosvenor (PhD 2023), Dr Kit Lee (PhD 2018), and Dr Eric Stoddart (retired faculty member), to give lectures at my previous institution, Hong Kong Baptist University. I have enjoyed the continued academic connections with my St Andrews community and learning more about their academic pursuits.

I joined Hong Kong Baptist University as Assistant Professor (Social Scientific Study of Religion) in January 2023, just one month after I graduated, and worked there for three and a half years. In August 2026, I joined the faculty of the Chinese University of Hong Kong as Assistant Professor (Christian Ethics). In my capacity as a faculty member, I have researched and published in areas including AI, anthropology, archival studies, area studies, digital humanities, gerontology, history, migration studies, philosophy, psychology, social policy and sociology.

An academic track is a natural path for doctoral graduates, though I do not take it for granted, since academic positions are scarce nowadays. I am very grateful for everyone who supported my academic journey. The part I enjoy most about my current line of work is being able to meet with likeminded academics and have critical conversations on our intellectual pursuits. I have been invited to speak in Belgium; Taiwan, China; and the United Kingdom and will be travelling to Japan and New Zealand shortly to give lectures and meet with potential collaborators. I find these opportunities to be valuable to expand my horizon in academic pursuits.

During my time in St Andrews, I changed so much as a citizen and an emerging academic. Another Hong Kong sociologist, Professor Priscilla Pue Ho Chu, (who also happens to be my mother), told me that my critical thinking developed exponentially during my time at St Andrews. My time in St Andrews prepared me well for my career in academia, since it provided me with a supportive community and space for reflective thinking and rigorous testing of ideas.

I give the same advice to St Andrews students as I did to students at my undergraduate institution, the University of Edinburgh. While studies are, of course, rigorous, do try to enjoy your time here – you will make lasting memories.