Speakers

Prof. Jon E. Grant, J.D., M.D., M.P.H.
is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago.  His research interests include neurology and psychopharmacology in addictive, impulsive and compulsive disorders such as substance use disorders, gambling disorder, kleptomania and grooming disorders, etc. Dr. Grant was honored by the NCRG in 2004 as one of the outstanding young investigators in the field of gambling studies. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gambling Studies.

Prof. Richard Velleman, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.S.
is Emeritus Professor of Mental Health Research at the University of Bath.  Prof. Velleman is both a clinical and an academic psychologist and has worked in the addiction and mental health fields for over 30 years. His research and practice interests cover a wide spectrum within mental health, with a particular interest in the impact of substance misuse and mental health issues on family members, especially children, as well as broader research and practice interests in counselling, substance misuse, and children and families. He is also a leading member of the Addictions and the Family International Network [AFINet] <www.AFINetwork.info>.

Dr. Joel Porter, Psy.D., M.A., B.S.
is a Clinical Psychologist of Goldbridge Rehabilitation Services in Gold Coast, Australia.  Dr. Porter has over two decades of clinical and consulting experience in areas of mental health and addiction. He is a long standing member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Dr. Porter provides motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, professional ethics and basic counselling skills training throughout New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia to a wide range of professions. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Canberra university, Centre for Applied Psychology.

Prof. Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D.
is a pioneer in the field of Gambling research. He is an academic researcher and clinician with a substantial track record of publications on various aspects of pathological gambling and responsible gambling. In 2003, he received the Senior Research Award from the National Center for Responsible Gaming, Harvard University. His cognitive treatment for pathological gamblers is widely used around the world.  He set up the Centre Québécois d’Excellence pour la Prévention et le Traitement du Jeu. This research center made many major contributions in the domain of gambling (experimental, prevalence, prevention, treatment, and responsible gambling).

Dr. Gracemary Leung, PhD (Lon), MBA, MS(clin)Exeter, BA(Hons) Lon., C.Psychol, AFBPsS, AFHKPs
is an experienced chartered clinical psychologist in UK since 1978, working with problem gamblers and people with Mental Health. Returning to HK in 2000 she is teaching in the University of Hong Kong. She is an Honorary Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences (counseling) an Associate Fellow of both the British and the Hong Kong Psychological Society, and has served as a member of the International Advisor Panel to the Ministry of Singapore (Gambling). She completed a number of projects on problem gambling under Ping Wo Fund HKSARS. Author of a book on the treatment of problem gambling Leung et al (2005); 賭博前因後果與處理方法 (三聯書局) and youth problems of addictive behaviors: Leung, G.M., Wong, S. (2009) 青少年問題解碼 (三聯書局).