Inaugural SHSS Distinguished Lecture Explores a Corpus Linguistic Approach to Large Language Models

The School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) successfully hosted its Inaugural SHSS Distinguished Lecture on 5 November 2026, featuring Prof. Tony McEnery, Chair Professor in the Department of English and Communication at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and an internationally renowned scholar in corpus linguistics.

In his lecture, “Methodology Before Novelty: A Corpus Linguistic Approach to Large Language Models,” Prof. McEnery examined how researchers can responsibly incorporate large language models (LLMs) into research through the established methodological framework of corpus linguistics. Drawing on examples involving programming, corpus construction, linguistic annotation and data interpretation, the lecture emphasized the importance of transparency, validation, reproducibility and scholarly judgment when applying AI to research.

The lecture was followed by a lively exchange between Prof. McEnery and the audience, with participants actively engaging in the discussion and raising questions on the opportunities and methodological challenges arising from the growing use of AI and LLMs in research.

The occasion also marked another important milestone for SHSS with the official launch of the Center for Language, Cognition and Technology (CLCT), directed by Prof. Dennis Tay. The new Center will provide a platform for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of language, cognition and emerging technologies, further strengthening intellectual exchange and collaboration in these rapidly developing areas.

The event concluded with a networking reception, giving faculty members, students, and guests an opportunity to continue conversations and exchange ideas after the lecture and Center launch.