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HKCT Applied Science Book Series Volume 2 Bugs in Communication: A Handbook for Managing Communication Crises Published
Resolving Campus Communication Crises with Human Warmth and Practical Wisdom

When facing communication dilemmas in schools, families, or frontline work, have you ever misspoken, found yourself unable to speak, or repeatedly regretted what you said afterward—yet still struggled to find a better way forward? In fact, the issue may not lie in the “situation” itself, but in the state that the “person” is experiencing at that moment.

To comprehensively unpack communication challenges on campus, the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences of HKCT Institute of Higher Education launched in May 2026 volume 2 of the HKCT Applied Science Series, titled Bugs in Communication: A Handbook for Managing Communication Crises. From the perspective of the humanities and social sciences, it aims to provide frontline workers with a “relationship restoration guide” that combines emotional warmth with professional competence.

This book was created to accompany frontline practitioners, helping them learn to observe, understand, assess, and respond amid uncertainty—so that they can see the person within the crisis and rediscover the warmth needed to repair relationships through communication.

Starting from seven real campus and professional scenarios, the book translates “empathy” and “restorative justice” into practical communication actions. It explores how professionals can speak and respond under high pressure and uncertainty, achieving a balance of “maintaining professionalism while embracing humanity.”

Highly recommended for
Teachers ｜ School Social Workers ｜ Principals and Management ｜ Counseling and Social Service Professionals

Key Features of the Book:

• People-centered: Prioritize restoring relationships over assigning blame
Rather than rushing to determine responsibility, it adopts a “debugging” approach to identify misalignments in relationships. It begins by asking: “What is the other person going through right now?” By recognizing underlying emotions and needs, it helps rebuild genuine connections before they fracture.
• Practical application: Turning theory into usable dialogue
Abstract theories such as empathy and restorative justice are integrated into seven real-life scenarios. Through step-by-step dialogue breakdowns, it enables you to deliver key responses naturally—even in high-pressure situations—while remaining both professional and humane.
• Self-care: Embracing emotions and building team support
Allowing oneself to have emotions is a foundation of professionalism, not a failure. This book guides self-awareness and advocates for trust and mutual support within teams, so that frontline crisis management is no longer a solitary endeavor.

Editor and Foreword

“A crisis is not an anomaly, but a moment when relational tensions are amplified; communication is not merely an exchange of information, but a value choice—choosing whose side to stand on, and how to respond to pain.”
This book is not simply a procedural manual focused on systems and processes, but a profound practical work addressing how people encounter one another in times of crisis. Its tone is understated yet detailed and sincere, like a gentle companion offering reminders in the midst of challenging situations.

“Problems in interpersonal relationships are not caused by a single instance of misspeaking, but by subtle yet critical misalignments that already exist—like hidden bugs long embedded in a computer system. Once accumulated, they can cause the entire relationship to break down. Debugging is never about assigning blame, but about repair.”
May this book serve as a gentle reminder: before relationships completely break down, we can still choose to pause, listen carefully, ask patiently, and uncover the bugs hidden within communication.

Available Now

The book is now available through Wan Li Book Co. and major physical and online bookstores. HKCT Institute of Higher Education will continue to compile and publish a series of applied science reference books that integrate both theory and practice, serving as practical guides for students and the wider community.