TRACES 2025: Hong Kong’s Student-Led Academic Conference Celebrates a Landmark Year of Transdisciplinary Innovation

On 28 June 2025, TRACES (Transdisciplinary Academic Conference for Emerging Scholars) held its inaugural conference at the University of Hong Kong, drawing together students and scholars from across disciplines and borders. What began as a student-led initiative has now become a recognized platform empowering undergraduates to share their original research, publish their work, and engage in global academic dialogue.

The conference opened with remarks from the Chairperson of TRACES, introducing the vision of TRACES as more than just a conference - but a broader educational movement. Attendees were reminded that today's complex global issues demand fresh perspectives and that young scholars should not wait until postgraduate study to contribute meaningfully to academia.

The event featured a keynote address by Professor Javier Cha, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “Automating the Past: Artificial Intelligence and the Next Frontiers of Digital History.” His insights on the evolving role of AI in historical research captured the very essence of what TRACES aims to encourage - forward-thinking, cross-disciplinary inquiry that places innovation at the heart of academic exploration.

Throughout the day, students presented their work in three themed sessions - Discourse and Humanity, Saga and Statecraft, and Mind and Innovation. Their research crossed disciplinary lines, blending humanities, social sciences, psychology, engineering, and data studies to shed light on issues from memory politics and mental health to policy, war, and education. Panel discussions moderated by invited faculty and student leaders, including Professor Daniel Elam, further encouraged lively exchange between presenters and audience members, showcasing the spirit of collaboration TRACES champions.

The gathering of student societies represented a diverse range of academic interests - from history and politics to engineering and global affairs. Their support demonstrated the reach of TRACES across faculties and ideologies, a living example of transdisciplinarity in action.

TRACES 2025 welcomed over 40 participants, including presenters from three continents. It published 24 submissions in its Book of Abstracts, and is set to publish full-length research papers in its forthcoming TRACES Proceedings, complete with ISBN and DOI registration. International submissions further affirmed TRACES' global reach.

As the closing remarks echoed in the conference room, there was an unmistakable sense that this is just the beginning. TRACES now sets its sights on expanding its outreach and further strengthening its educational mission through future conferences, workshops, and publication platforms.

TRACES is where disciplines meet, and where emerging scholars become tomorrow’s thought leaders.

Relive the Highlights of TRACES 2025

Missed the conference or want to revisit the inspiring discussions? Explore our conference gallery to see key moments, presentations, and behind-the-scenes snapshots from this landmark event.