Research Areas

Dr Chu is dedicated to advancing knowledge in Psychology and Education. Her primary research areas encompass Psychopathology, Developmental and Cognitive Psychology, and Psychometrics.

  • Dr Chu is working on an initiative aimed at youth mental health as a multi-sector collaboration that involves partnerships with non-governmental organisations to enhance mental health support for young people in Hong Kong. This project is dedicated to developing a mental wellness service model that is stigma-free and specifically designed for the youth. One of its key objectives is to cultivate a new generation of youth workers equipped to address these challenges. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen youth cognitive resources, personal strengths, and overall mental well-being while also tackling early indicators of distress, offering timely interventions, and fostering positive health-seeking behaviours among young individuals.

  • Dr Chu led a research project that sought to explore and understand the perspectives of children, parents, and teachers regarding children's wellbeing and success in school, focusing on early school years in Hong Kong. The research aimed to identify both the facilitators and barriers to children's wellbeing and academic achievement, while paying particular attention to cross-cultural differences between Western and Eastern contexts. By examining the impact of socio-cognitive skills, social relationships, and family support on school readiness and academic performance, the research delved into specific aspects of caregiver-child interaction, such as warmth, autonomy, and support.

  • Dr Chu's doctoral research focused on unravelling the intricate interplay between linguistic and cognitive skills in reading comprehension among primary school children, specifically contrasting native English and Chinese learners. Recognising that reading comprehension is a complex factor involving individual linguistic capabilities and cognitive processes, the project aimed to provide a more nuanced understanding of reading development by investigating how various elements interact. By doing so, the research intended to contribute valuable insights that could inform educational practices and interventions tailored to diverse linguistic backgrounds, ultimately enhancing literacy acquisition in primary education.

  • Dr Chu's previous works explored the intersection of psychometrics and educational measurement, with a specialised emphasis on cross-cultural standardised testing. Leveraging expertise in statistical computing and proficiency in R, she examined the psychometric properties that influence the reliability and validity of assessment tools across diverse cultural contexts. Dr Chu has disseminated knowledge through talks and workshops aimed at enhancing understanding of psychometrics and measurement in psychological and educational research. She was also invited to deliver a lecture on quantitative research methods at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. These initiatives not only contribute to theoretical advancements in the field but also aim to support educators and researchers in implementing effective measurement strategies across varying cultural landscapes.

  • Dr Chu has been advising on a collection of research projects that focus on enhancing leadership development, interprofessional education, and social equity within the public and healthcare sectors.

    Public Sector Leadership Development: This project involves designing and executing effectiveness studies and measurement frameworks to evaluate the impact of leadership development initiatives within a UK public organisation. The aim is to assess outcomes and drive improvements in leadership competencies.

    Interprofessional Education in Healthcare: A mixed-method study is being conducted to create evidence-based strategies that foster interprofessional education in a medical setting. The research seeks to enhance collaborative practice and improve patient outcomes.

    Clinical Leadership Development: This research employs in-depth interviews and thematic analyses alongside predictive modelling to identify patterns in clinical leadership development and learning within healthcare education. The published findings will help shape future educational frameworks for clinical leaders.

    Evaluation of Government Campaigns: This project examines the effectiveness of UK government campaigns and funding initiatives designed to reduce attainment gaps. The insights contributed to the formulation of evidence-informed changes aimed at promoting positive social and economic outcomes.

Selected Publications

  • Hofmann, R., Chu, C.P.K., Twiner, A. & Vermunt, J.D. (2024) Patterns in clinical leadership learning: Understanding the quality of learning about leadership to support sustainable transformation in healthcare education. Sustainability, 16(10), 4165. [link]

  • Hofmann, R., Ilie, S., Broeks, M. & Chu, C.P.K. (2022). Identifying key impacts of the Fenland and East Cambridgeshire Opportunity Area: Years 1-4 Evidence Review. [link]

  • Chu, C.P.K. (2021). Can "theory of mind" be taught in school? Cambridge Educational Research e-Journal, 8, 63–79. [link]

  • Chu, C.P.K., & Ellefson, M. R. (2021). The not-so-simple view of reading assessment. Impact, 12. [link]