On August 7, 2026, the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong (HKU SPH) and the Bau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences Education (BIMHSE) co-hosted a seminar titled “Broadening the Lens of Implementation Science: Equity, Inclusion and Moving Beyond Western Approaches” by Professor Helen Skouteris, Monash Warwick Alliance Professor in Health and Social Care Improvement and Implementation Science, Head of the Health and Social Care Unit (HSCU) at Monash University, Australia, and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Australia.

Drawing on her background as a developmental psychologist and her leadership in the world-first Strengthening Implementation Practice and Research with Equity (SEMPRE) programme, Professor Skouteris explored why an equity-focused approach is critical to improving health, social care, and educational outcomes. Moving beyond traditional Western models shaped largely by Global North researchers, she introduced equity-driven frameworks such as the Model of Equitable Transdisciplinary Implementation Science (METIS) and Intervention Mapping–Equity (IM-Equity). She highlighted how equitable implementation science must centre social justice, address power dynamics, incorporate Indigenous and transcultural knowledge systems, and leverage co-design to achieve sustainable, real-world impact. 

The seminar concluded with a Q&A session, moderated by Professor Danijela Gasevic, Professor of Practice at HKU SPH and BIMHSE, who fielded many thoughtful questions from the audience.