NEWS & EVENTS

Professor Kara Chan, Associate Dean and Professor of the Department of Communication Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, has received the Charles H. Sandage Award for Teaching Excellence from the American Academy of Advertising (AAA). The award was presented at the AAA Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. Professor Chan is the first Chinese member of the American Academy of Advertising to receive this distinction.

Commonly known as "The Sandy" and sponsored by the University of Illinois, the award recognises outstanding and sustained contributions to advertising education, encompassing excellence in teaching, mentoring, and related academic activities. It is widely regarded as the most prestigious honour in the field.

A researcher-educator at heart, Professor Chan's teaching philosophy is built around course-based undergraduate research,  a pedagogical model she has developed and refined over more than three decades. She has designed over 60 research projects, guiding students through both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to build genuine research competence. Through these projects, students engage with real communities and industry professionals, developing skills that have led many to pursue postgraduate studies or careers in market research.

Professor Chan's commitment to advancing advertising education extends beyond her own classroom. She has organised two Communities of Practice, gathering advertising and public relations educators from across Hong Kong and internationally to exchange pedagogy, co-develop teaching resources, and strengthen research-informed teaching. Teaching materials developed through these collaborations have reached educators in 59 countries.

A Fulbright Scholar and the author of eight books and over 180 journal articles and book chapters, Professor Chan has been recognised among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University. Her previous distinctions include the University Grants Committee Teaching Award (Finalist, 2020), the President's Award for Research Supervision at HKBU (2018), the General Education Teaching Award (2020/21), and multiple Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence.

The Department of Communication Studies extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Chan on this landmark achievement.