Professor Sylvia Xiaohua Chen has spent her career exploring the intricate ways culture shapes the human mind and behavior, from the identities of bilingual and bicultural individuals to the barriers that prevent people from seeking mental health care. As Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), she has built a global reputation through her research on bilingualism, biculturalism, and global orientations, which has been applied in 35 countries and regions.

Beyond her academic work, Sylvia has served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at PolyU, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, General Editor of Cambridge University Press Culture and Psychology Series, and President of the Asian Association of Social Psychology, roles that reflect her commitment to bridging cultural divides and improving well-being. Her contributions have earned her prestigious honors, including the Outstanding International Psychologist Award from the American Psychological Association and elected Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in November 2024, where she was the only Hong Kong scholar in Social & Economic Sciences. Yet, Sylvia remains grounded, driven by a deep curiosity about the human experience and a passion for fostering cross-cultural understanding.

From Guangzhou to a Global Stage

Sylvia's story begins in Guangzhou, China, where she was born and raised, speaking Cantonese as her first language and later Mandarin. Her early exposure to multiple languages sparked a lifelong fascination with cultural diversity—a theme that would go on to define her career. After earning her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Sun Yat-Sen University, she ventured to the United States for her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. "California's rich multicultural environment provided me with exposure to a variety of cultures," she says. This experience opened her eyes to the complexities of multiculturalism, setting the stage for her future research.

After working in the U.S. for a few years, Sylvia returned to Hong Kong when the center she worked for established a branch there. She soon recognized the city's unique position as a cultural crossroads. "Hong Kong connects the east and the west," she explains. This realization led her to pursue academia, earning a Postgraduate Diploma, MPhil, and PhD in Psychology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Finding a Home at PolyU

Joining PolyU in 2007 as an Assistant Professor, Sylvia found an environment that nurtured her aspirations. "This environment is supportive and nurturing—that's why I enjoy working here," she shares. Over the years, she climbed the academic ladder—Associate Professor in 2012, Full Professor in 2016, and Chair Professor in 2023—while taking on leadership roles, including her current position as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences since 2018.

Reflecting on her career, Sylvia identifies two pivotal moments that shaped her path. "The first was my decision to go to the US to study counseling psychology and remain in the field," she notes. At the time, psychology was an up-and-coming field in the West, but relatively new in China. "Going to the U.S. and choosing an unknown area was like an adventure to me, but I found it fascinating," she says. The second was her decision to pursue a PhD. "After obtaining my master's degree, I realized that academic work suited me," she says. These choices guided her research into the intersection of culture, social psychology, and mental health.

Decoding Bicultural Identities in a Globalized World

Sylvia's research has been transformative, particularly her work on how globalization affects bicultural individuals. She and her team distinguished between immigration-based and globalization-based acculturation, examining the dynamics of cultural identities in a globalized world. "In immigration-based acculturation, people physically relocate from one culture to another and negotiate identifications with ethnic culture and host culture… In globalization-based acculturation, people remain in their culture of origin and yet develop a bicultural identity from direct and mediated intercultural contact," she explains. Her team further proposed the concept of Global Orientation, a framework to understand psychological responses to globalization, and developed the Global Orientations Scale (GOS), which has been used by researchers across Hong Kong, Mainland China, the U.S., and beyond to explore its effects on well-being and behavior.

One of her most intriguing studies, rooted in her PhD thesis, tackled a question that fascinated her: "Do bilinguals have two personalities?" She noticed that bilingual individuals' personality and communicative behavior often seemed different depending on the language they spoke. To investigate, her team conducted studies using written measures and behavioral experiments. "We found that when bilinguals communicated in English and with Caucasian interviewers, they seem to be more extroverted, open, and assertive," she explains. This supported their cultural accommodation hypothesis, which suggests that language use activates perceived cultural norms associated with that language, especially its prototypic trait profiles. This research earned her the Student International Research Competitive Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 52 in 2007, with "special recognition for creativity in data collection, analysis or efforts in advancing international research." It also caught the attention of media outlets in the US, UK, and France such as Scientific American Mind and Psychology Today, which reported on their findings.

Breaking Stigma: Bridging Culture and Mental Health

As Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at PolyU, which she co-founded, Sylvia has shaped its focus on themes like psychosocial and cultural aspects of mental health, in addition to neuroscience and rehabilitation. "I conduct applied research to investigate the socio-cultural influences on illness behavior and help-seeking patterns," she notes. Her studies reveal significant cultural differences in mental health stigma. "Our research found that Hong Kong Chinese reported significantly higher levels of stigma toward mental illness and perceived barriers to help-seeking than Chinese Americans, and in turn higher than European Americans," she notes. She attributes this to cultural values like face concern, which discourages seeking help from mental health professionals. "We should be aware of the influences of these cultural factors on our psychological well-being and behavior of seeking help when we encounter psychological distress," she emphasizes.

Her team also explores how beliefs about mental illness and its treatment influence whether people seek professional help. By understanding these cultural mechanisms, Sylvia aims to reduce barriers to mental health care in regions where stigma persists.

Fostering Collaboration: Leading with Purpose

Sylvia's influence extends far beyond PolyU. She served as President of the Asian Association of Social Psychology from 2021 to 2023 and has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology since 2022. She describes her leadership style as collaborative: "I see myself as a facilitator, fostering collaborations at different levels, from my research team, to the department, the faculty, and outside the university." This approach has helped her build strong networks across academic and cultural communities.

However, her editorial role comes with significant challenges. "Managing the heavy workload is one of my toughest challenges," she admits. With over 500 manuscripts submitted annually, she screens them all, desk-rejecting more than half and assigning the rest to Associate Editors. "To fulfill these duties, I often have to maximize my available time, including weekends and holidays," she explains.

The Work-Life Challenge

Balancing her roles as researcher, teacher, editor, and administrator with her personal life is a constant struggle for Sylvia. "Balancing various roles and professional commitments is a challenge for me, and I'm continually working towards achieving a better work-life balance," she shares. She often feels guilt toward her family due to her demanding roles but appreciates their support. "I devote a substantial amount of time to my work, which sometimes makes me feel guilty towards my family… I am deeply grateful for their understanding and support," she says. To manage, she focuses on one task at a time—"I don't think I'm good at multitasking"—and relies on her teams. "I have been fortunate to work with great teams in various roles, and when I've fallen behind on tasks, they have proactively offered reminders and support to help me realign with priorities," she adds.

When she does find time to unwind, Sylvia values simple practices like exercise or meditation to help her recharge and maintain focus—though her busy schedule often makes it difficult. "I wish I could work out regularly and practice mindfulness, but sometimes I'm too busy," she admits.

Guided by Mentors, Guiding Others

Mentors have played a crucial role in Sylvia's journey. Her PhD supervisor, Professor Michael Harris Bond, a renowned cross-cultural psychologist, left a lasting impact. "Professor Bond has been a role model for me, consistently offering encouragement and guidance," she notes. His advice, "Find a job you love, and you will never have to work in your life," resonates deeply with her.

Another mentor, Professor Fanny Cheung, guided her early research on cross-cultural personality measurement, teaching her to blend Western and indigenous methodologies. She now passes this guidance forward, mentoring students at PolyU and helping them discover their potential.

Empowering the Next Generation

As a woman in academia, Sylvia recognizes the unique challenges women face as they strive to balance an increasing workload and family demands. Her advice to young women is rooted in passion and self-awareness: "Do what you love and love what you do; follow your passion and work with people who inspire you." She encourages them to focus on their goals rather than societal expectations. "Know what your goals are, what kind of person you want to be… instead of being too conscious about how other people perceive you," she advises.

Leaving a Mark: Celebrating a Global Impact

Sylvia's recent recognitions—the elected TWAS Academician, and the JESSICA Most Successful Woman Award—carry deep significance for her. "I am deeply honored… these recognitions are incredibly validating and motivate me to continue pursuing my aspirations with dedication and enthusiasm," she says. However, she doesn't see herself as successful, instead channeling her energy into personal growth and incremental milestones rather than a label of success. "I am constantly trying to learn more and improve," she says. "My focus remains on evolving both personally and professionally, continually striving for progress and refinement."

Professionally, they amplify her influence: "They increase my visibility in the academic community, allowing me to further contribute to my field and the society." She also values the opportunity to connect with others, noting, "[The JESSICA Most Successful Woman Award] also provides a unique opportunity to learn from successful women across various fields… connecting with such a diverse and accomplished group allows me to gain new perspectives."

The Next Chapter: A Voice for Asia in Global Psychology

Looking ahead, Sylvia dreams of expanding her research to integrate new technologies and disciplines. "The world has been changing rapidly… we're trying to learn and incorporate new technologies into our research," she says, mentioning the use of VR and AI. She's also exploring cultural neuroscience and genetics to understand how cultural mindsets activate brain regions. "I hope to be more innovative in the coming years," she adds. Her broader goal is to address the WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) bias in psychological research. "I hope to conduct more research on integrating global perspectives in social and cultural psychology to facilitate cross-cultural understanding and promote an Asian voice in a more inclusive scientific community," she says.

Through her dedicated research, Professor Sylvia Xiaohua Chen has enhanced understanding of how culture shapes the human experience. Her collaborative leadership has built bridges across academic and cultural communities. By mentoring the next generation and advocating for culturally informed mental health practices, she's empowering others to continue this work. As Sylvia continues to break cultural barriers, her journey proves that passion, perseverance, and a growth mindset can create a lasting impact on the world.