As Directors of the Computational Social Science Lab at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), we are delighted to welcome you to a community where rigorous social inquiry meets state-of-the-art computation. Our mission is to understand complex social systems—how people connect, mobilize, learn, transact, and govern—by integrating theory-driven social science with advances in data science, machine learning, and causal inference.

We pursue research that is both methodologically innovative and socially meaningful. From mapping the dynamics of online discourse and misinformation, to modeling mobility and urban resilience, to evaluating the societal implications of AI, our work seeks to generate insights that are explainable, reproducible, and useful to decision-makers. 

The Lab’s culture is collaborative, open, and interdisciplinary. With nearly 30 faculty affiliates from 4 faculties, we build tools and datasets that enable cumulative science, and we value careful measurement, transparent methods, and ethical practice—especially in the responsible use of digital trace data. Our students and researchers work closely with partners across academia, government, industry, and civil society to translate evidence into impact.

Education is central to our mission. Through the channel of CSS Concentration, we train the next generation of computational social scientists via hands-on projects, cross-listed courses, and mentorship that bridges substantive domains—such as politics, economics, communication, public health, and urban studies—with modern computational approaches. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds who share curiosity, technical rigor, and a commitment to the public good.

Whether you are a prospective student, a collaborator, or a supporter of evidence-informed policy, I invite you to explore our projects, engage with our seminars and working groups, and reach out to us. Together, we can advance a science of society that is as computational as it is humane.

By Professors Angel (Ling) ZHU and Hai LIANG,

Co-Directors, Computational Social Science Lab

The Chinese University of Hong Kong