Steering Committee 3 in Hong Kong

On Friday 28 February 2025, the AspirE Steering Committee gathered to review the project’s progress and outline future objectives. Hosted by the Hong Kong team at the Education University of Hong Kong, the meeting brought together most teams, with a few joining online. Catherine Gonzalez (Project Manager) presented an overview of the administrative and financial aspects of the project while Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot (Principal Investigator) shared the scientific advancements and what is ahead of us. After sharing Early Career Researchers' feedback, the External Experts Advisory Board (EEAB) members were consulted on a series of matters to guide AspirE in its final year.

As AspirE embarks on its last year, we find ourselves at an exciting and crucial stage of the project. While we have already made significant progress in exploring migration from Asia to Europe, much remains to be done in the months ahead. This year will be one of consolidation, engagement, and impact, as we bring together the insights gained and translate them into meaningful contributions for academia, policymakers, and the broader public. AspirE’s commitment to a human-centered approach has guided our work from the beginning, ensuring that the voices and experiences of migrants remain at the heart of our research. 

With several key activities still ahead, we look forward to further enriching our findings, strengthening our outreach, and refining our recommendations. Upcoming events, publications, and stakeholder engagements will be crucial in ensuring that our work has a lasting impact. At the same time, we are mindful of the responsibility to consider how AspirE’s contributions will extend beyond the project’s official timeline, through policy influence, continued collaboration, and sustained knowledge exchange.

With momentum on our side, we are eager to make the most of this last year: building on our progress, seizing new opportunities, and ensuring that AspirE leaves a lasting mark.

A special thanks to Isabella NG Fung-Sheung, Tommy Kwan, and Xiaomin (Gloria) Chen for organising this meeting onsite. An extended thanks to all Principal Investigators and representatives, Stefan Rother (member of our EEAB), and the ECRs representatives for making this meeting a successful one!