Christine Lai
Supervisor

 

Overview

Dr. Christine Lai is a scholar-in-practice and practical theologian integrating knowledge and practice, integral care and spirituality. She has been advocating integral wellness from midlife to ageing in research and practice. She is currently the Spiritual Advisor and Integral Care and Wellness Consultant for Hong Kong Caritas Social Services; Guest Professor of Hong Kong Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology & Philosophy; Research Associate of Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology (the only Catholic theology institute under Cambridge Theology Federation of UK); Researcher of HK Bioethics Resource Centre (under Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology & Philosophy); and Co-supervisor of Practical theology doctorate student at Anglia Ruskin University.

Dr. Lai holds a Professional Doctorate of Practical Theology from Anglia Ruskin University under the Cambridge Theology Federation. Her research thesis “Midlife transformation of Christian professionals in HK, evolving a spiritual practice model” adopted an intercultural and interfaith perspective designing a spiritual practice model integrating Ignatius spirituality and Buddhist mindfulness for transformation. The qualitative research was originated from her midlife context with rich findings.  Together with her experience of care of her late elderly mother, she continued her research at Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology at Cambridge exploring “Spirituality of Ageing and Integral Human Development: an intercultural approach” by adopting Pope Francis’s teaching on Integral Human Development and developing integral ageing in an intercultural context.

Dr Lai is a catalyst raising the awareness of spiritual needs and means of elderly care and importance of intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue. As the Academic and Program director of the 8th Bioethics Resource Conference this June, she has organized two-days “Spiritual care of elderly – living well, ageing well and dying well.” The results of six pre-conference interdisciplinary focus groups and two thousand survey responses were presented together with rich experience, reflection and dialogue among interreligious, intercultural and interdisciplinary professionals and stakeholders.

She also holds a Doctorate degree of Business Administration from HK Polytechnic University research on “Social Capital model of Organization Citizenship Behavior.” In addition to her dedication to develop integral and meaningful ageing, Dr. Lai’s solid business experience as Asia Human Resources Director in education and investment bank, social work’s humanism and theology have supported her advising leaders and NGOs linking ageing and integral care and wellness in systematic and practical way. She has extensive experience in executive training, teambuilding and coaching for senior executives and policymakers. She was the founding director of Management of Heart Associates, consultant and board member for different businesses, education and NGOs. Over the years, she has designed “Life planning, stillness and everyday spirituality” for executives and students, “Journey of Spirituality: soul, mind and heart” workshop at churches and presented papers at international conference on “An Intercultural Interpretation of Integral Human Development and Chinese Wisdom Traditions: Implications to End-of-Life Care” and “From Despair to Hope at End-of-Life: A Model of Midlife Spiritual Transformation to End-of-Life Spiritual Care.”

Dr Lai is also the Vice President of Asia Academy of Practical Theology, board member of Lifeinhering NGO and Vice President of HK Yuan Dao Study Society (under the Catholic Diocese) promoting intercultural dialogue. She is also the ex-board member of Dialogue in the Dark and Halftime ministry.

 

Current Projects

  • Academic & Program Committee chair for 2022 Bioethics Resource Center Conference with title “Spiritual care for ageing well and dying well: a Catholic response” based on current research and papal teaching on Integral Human Development, a multi-disciplinary approach with reflection and analysis of focus group and survey, March 2022
  • Presentation paper on “Daoism and Integral human development” will be presented at 8thUNESCO Workshop on Bioethics, Multiculturalism and Religion on “Religious Perspectives on Bioethics: Protecting the environment, the biosphere and biodiversity,” Feb, 2022
  • Workshop on “Living well, Ageing well and Finishing well: Concept and Practice of Spirituality” at Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in May, 2022
  • Adopting Integral Human Development to develop an Integral care and wellness culture and Spirituality for social workers, caregivers, third age group and elderly provided by Caritas HK (2021 – 2023)

Research Interests:

Integral and Meaningful Ageing, Ignatian Spirituality, Interfaith and Intercultural dialogue, Integral Human Development, Midlife, Transformation

 

Publications

Papers and Journals

  • “Towards a Model of Spiritual Practice for the Spiritual Transformation of Midlife Christian professionals in Hong Kong” in Theology Annual Journal 41 (2021), Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy, p.91
  • “Spirituality of Ageing for Human Flourishing: Towards a New Paradigm of Economics” in Macau Ricci Institute Journal, MRIJ 7 (2021) (after Assisi Conference on “The Economy of Francesco”), p.74
  • Book of “Challenges and Reflections of Covid” , Bioethics Resource Center of Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy, Ming Pao Publishing Co. Ltd. 2020
  • MIDLIFE TRANSFORMATION OF CHRISTIAN PROFESSIONALS IN HONG KONG: EVOLVING A MODEL FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Anglia Ruskin University for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology, June 2019
  • “Spiritual Humanism in Practice: Spirituality & Coaching – Midlife Executive Transformation” for Conference on “Spiritual Humanism: Collectively Constructing a Life Focused Human Community” organized by Centre of Heaven and Earth (Songshan) Forum on Chinese and World Civilizations with Institute of Advanced Humanistic Studies, PKU Songshan, Henan, September 11-13, 2015
  • “Building and Leveraging Interpersonal Trust Within and Across MNE Subsidiaries: A Social Exchange Perspective,” by Christine Lai, Barjinder Singh, Abdullah A. Alshwer, Margaret A. Shaffer, in Journal of International Management, 20 ( 2014), pp. 312-326

 

Reviewer for Academic Journal

  • Reviewer on papers for International Journal of Palliative Nursing (IJPN), Apr-Dec 2021:

“International Journal of Palliative Nursing Quality of death of terminally ill patients as perceived by nurses and its related factors”;

“Spiritual/religious coping strategies and religiosity of cancer patients in palliative care”;

“Quality of death of terminally ill patients as perceived by nurses and its related factors”;

“Exploration of delirium assessment and management in a hospice inpatient unit: a mixed methods study”

  • Reviewer on paper “The Economy of Goodness” for Matteo Ricci Institute Journal (MRIJ) April 2021

Book Chapters

  • To be published by Springer Publisher in late 2022 or early 2023 – Title “Asian Spiritualities and Social Transformation” and Chapter 3 “A Spiritual Practice Model – The Transformation of Midlife Christian Professionals in Hong Kong”
  • To be published a E-book in 2023 with a collaboration paper of four practical theology graduates with Title: “Reflective Journeys of Four Hong Kong Practical Theologians: Transformative Practice through Contextual Research”

 Articles

  • Columnist of Economic Journal (信報), Hong Kong: Bi-weekly column entitled “Management and People” (“管理人、管理事”) 2009 – 2014

 

Education Background

2019    Professional Doctorate of Practical Theology (DProf), Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Theological Federation

2008    Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Chung Chi Divinity School, Chinese University of HK

2006   Postgraduate Diploma of Managing Adversity, Chinese University of HK

2003   Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), HK Polytechnic University

1997   Executive MBA, Chinese University of HK

1986    Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work major), Chinese University of HK

 

 Presentation at International and Asia Conferences

  • “An Intercultural Interpretation of Integral Human Development and Chinese Wisdom Traditions: Implications to End-of-Life Care” and “From Despair to Hope at End-of-Life: A Model of Midlife Spiritual Transformation to End-of-Life Spiritual Care” at Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care International Conference on Community End-of-Life Care: Sustainable Development and New Frontier, June, 2021
  • “Spiritual Practice Model: Transformation of midlife Christian professionals in Hong Kong” at International Conference on “Spiritual Leadership and Social Transformation” organized by Religion & Culture Dept. of Chinese University of HK and Academy of Asia Practical Theology, May 2021
  • “Affective experience to knowledge: Meaning making & Life stories” at Research Conference, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology (MBIT) November 2020
  • “Spirituality of Ageing and Human Flourishing” at Macau Ricci Institute Symposium on “Towards a New Paradigm of Economics,” Oct 2020
  • “Spirituality of Integral Human Development for Ageing: an intercultural dimension” at Oxford McDonald Center of Theology, Ethics and Public Life – Ageing Conference on “Ageing, Suffering and Despair – towards health and care,” Sept 2020
  • First international virtual webinar on “In search of Meaning and Fulfillment through Interreligious Dialogue and Interculturation: Vatican Council II, Pope Francis and Beyond” co-organized by MBIT & Yuan Dao July 2020
  • “Midlife Transformation of Christian Professionals in Hong Kong: evolving a model of Spiritual Practice” at 25th British Irish Association of Practical Theology Conference, July 2019
  • “Midlife Transformation of Christian Professionals in Hong Kong: evolving a model of Spiritual Practice” at 25th British Irish Association of Practical Theology Conference July 2018
  • “Interpersonal citizenship behaviors of employees in Greater China:  A social capital perspective” at the Academy of International Business Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, July 2004

 

Intercultural & Inter-religious Academic Dialogue

Co-organizer for MBIT and HK Yuan Dao Study Society collaboration for a series of webinars since 2020 under the theme of “Living out traditions in contemporary world: an intercultural and interreligious approach.” Organized webinars from Oct 2020 – May 2021 included:

  • First international webinar on “In search of Meaning and Fulfillment through Interreligious Dialogue and Interculturation: Vatican Council II, Pope Francis and Beyond”
  • “Pope Francis’s Fratelli Tutti: Meaning and Implications to HK and Catholic Diocese”
  • “Heaven, Earth, Humankind in Harmony: Chinese Art and Christian Spirituality”
  • “Zipoli & Ricci – China, Argentina and Jesuit Baroque”
  • “Decolonising Interfaith Spiritual Care for Non-Christian world”
  • “Church politics: Dialogue, Fraternity and Unity – a Catholic lawyer’s reflection”
  • Workshops at conference by British & Irish Association of Practical Theology (BIAPT)

 

Education Services

  • Founding member/Vice President of Asia Academy of Practical Theology
  • Member to Advisory Committee and Program Planning Committee of Bachelor of Business Administration (Service Marketing and Management), Gratia College
  • Organization committee member HK Institute of HR Management Conference
  • Ex-Chair-woman, City University Management School Advisory Committee
  • Ex-Mentor for MBA students and undergraduates of CUHK & Baptist University
  • Member of Training & Development Committee and China Committee, Trainer and Speaker in various HR Management events and topics, HK Institute of Human Resources Management
  • Columnist of Management & People column, Economic Daily News (bi-weekly)

 

Workshop on Spirituality and Life Planning

  • 2020 Caritas Annual Leadership Retreat as Spiritual Advisor, Caritas HK
  • 2016 three-months “Integral Fulfilment of Life” at St Margaret Church
  • 2017-2019 one-year training for management and senior executives on personal transformation and organizational culture re-engineering based on spirituality for Gene Company HK Ltd.
  • 2019 workshop on midlife spiritual transformation at Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology at Cambridge
  • 2019 Diploma course on “Life planning & Spiritual practice” at CUHK Divinity school
  • Jan 2020 Caritas leaders 3 days Spiritual retreat & follow-up
  • November 2020 retreat for Caritas family service unit
  • November workshop on Integral Human Development and Spirituality of Ageing at Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology for graduates from UK, HK & Singapore

 

Professional Experience

Academic/Program Director for the NGO Bioethics Resource Center organizing Annual Conference in 2022 with the title of “Spiritual care of living well and ageing well: a Catholic spirituality response”

Integral Care and Wellness Consultant for NGO Caritas HK developing Care and Wellness culture and program.

Founder & Consultant, Management of Heart & Associates                         2015 – Present

Advising, developing and delivering transformation program, organization strategy, coaching, holistic and wellness culture for Gene Company, Asia World Expo, Peter Drucker Academy, Dah Seng Bank, International Christian School, Generations Christian School and Caritas HK

Regional Asia Human Resources Director, Pearson Education Asia Ltd.     2009 – 2014

Head of HR, North Asia, ABN-AMRO Bank/Royal Bank of Scotland        1998 – 2009

Human Resources Director, Morgan Stanley Asia                                         1994 – 1997

Senior HR Manager, Peregrine Investments Ltd.                                          1990 – 1993

Management Trainee, HK Telephone Company Ltd.                                    1986 – 1989

 Teaching & Lecturing

  • Delivered diploma course “Life planning and spiritual practice” at Chung Chi Divinity School, CUHK
  • Delivered a lecture on “Spirituality of Midlife Christian professionals and Vocation Calling” to the United Board scholars at the Asian Christian Higher Education’s International Asia Scholar Program
  • Designed “Workplace Spirituality” curriculum for Chung Chi Divinity School, Chinese University of HK
  • Partnered with Xavier House to deliver talks about Ignatian Spirituality
  • Delivered a three-month workshop with retreat on ‘Journey of Spirituality: soul, mind and heart’ sponsored by St. Margaret Church
  • Conducted workshops and seminars on “21st Century Future Leaders Challenges and Responses” and “Diversity and Business Success” to China MBAs of HK Baptist University
  • Lecture on Organization development, HR Management and Strategy in MBA course at City University, HK Polytechnic University and HK Baptist University
  • Lecture on “Diversity and Business Performance” at Sun Yat Sen University MBA program
  • Lecture on “Globalization and HR Cross-cultural Management” for HK University’s ICB HR Program to PRC students at Shanghai
  • Lecture on “Talent Strategy for future success – Humanistic Management through Diversity, Engagement and Employee Wellness” at Hong Kong University, ICB Residential Workshop

 Public Speech & Forum

  • “Vision attracts Talents – Future is created Today” sub-session at HK Institute of Human Resources Conference
  • “Diversity and Business Strategy & Success” in Talent Forum organized by Sing Tao Daily News
  • “Vision and Future Talents” sub-session at “Asian Talents Going Global” in American Chamber of Commerce, HR conference in 2013
  • “Organization citizenship behavior and social capital, a DBA case study” – American Chamber of Commerce HR committee breakfast sharing
  • “Employee Wellness Program and Caring Company” – City University of HK Executive Forum
  • “Contemporary Human Resources Model and Strategy” – Baptist University HR lecture
  • “Contemporary HR People Strategy for Growth” – Baptist University MSc HR Program
  • “Employee Engagement and Organization Culture” – Talent Forum: Employee Engagement, APerformers.com, Sing Tao Daily News.
  • “Maximizing Value in Diversity” – Talent Forum: Diversity in Leadership, APerformers.com, Sing Tao Daily News

Community & Social Services

  • Ex-Board member of Dialogue in Dark Foundation and Founding member
  • Leader of Alpha course and bible study group at Sacred Heart Church, Sai Kung
  • Advisor and Coach to young adults of Leadership Talent Association (LTA) NGO
  • Mentoring & Coaching to executives, women leaders and university students
  • Delivered fundraising, mini-consulting, leadership & strategic workshops for NGOs