Professor Paul Siu Fai Yip is a crusader for youth suicide prevention. He is the Director of the Centre Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong and also serves as the Chair Professor of Population Health for the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and an Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Science. As a public intellectual who represents underserved, marginalized and vulnerable populations, he is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of society through his research and work – with the aim of making a global difference. Thus far, his multi-disciplinary research team and preventative approach involving community engagement have contributed to reducing the number of suicides in Hong Kong by 30%. The Centre puts an emphasis on education for both primary and secondary students and their parents. Professor Yip also serves as a consultant of World Health Organization for suicide prevention and a chair of the IPPF, where his innovative methods impact outcomes on a global scale.
Professor Yip completed his schooling in Hong Kong, then graduated with a Bachelor of Science from University of Melbourne, and PhD from Latrobe University. His research and service to population health were recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award from La Trobe University in 2008. He received a Medal of Honour from the Hong Kong Government in 2017 for his distinguished service to the community, and the Stengel Research award by the International Association of Suicide Prevention for his unique contribution to suicide prevention in 2011, the only recipient of this distinguished award in the Asian region. Professor Yip has published more than 500 research papers with more than 98,000 citations and has received the outstanding researcher, supervisor and knowledge exchange awards during his tenure at the University of Hong Kong. He has been nominated as one of the finalists for the Innovation Award of the Hong Kong Spirit Award in 2021 for using big data analytic and artificial intelligence in helping youth online.
“It is the passion to my profession and care to the community especially those vulnerable, marginalised and unserved.”
