Pedagogical Innovation
I’m drawn to role-playing games, simulations, and debates — methods that invite students to step into complexity. These approaches allow them to inhabit political dynamics, not just analyze them. A well-designed simulation or debate doesn't just sharpen critical thinking; it activates emotion, empathy, and ethical reflection.
I tailor my teaching based on the classroom chemistry. Sometimes this means designing a diplomatic crisis roleplay; other times, it means turning a quiet seminar into a space for structured disagreement or co-writing exercises. I care about how learning feels — whether it sparks confidence, discomfort, curiosity, or catharsis.
I believe this approach is especially vital in an era where AI increasingly shapes how we learn. In my classroom, students are invited to engage with AI tools not as shortcuts, but as creative companions — collaborators that expand the possibilities of role-play, deepen critical thinking, and add unpredictability to simulation-based learning. Rather than replacing thought, AI becomes part of the adventure.
I encourage students to go beyond engaging with me — to engage with one another, with the simulated worlds they inhabit, and with AI itself. This approach expands the field of learning beyond the traditional teacher-student binary. By weaving together human and machine interactions, collective play, and critical inquiry, the classroom becomes a multi-dimensional space where students learn from multiple sources, perspectives, and processes at once. In this expanded ecology of learning, teaching becomes not just more powerful, but more plural.
I was nominated for the Outstanding Teacher (Arts/Divinity) category in the 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards 2025 at the University of St Andrews.
Associate Lecturer, St Andrews
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Foreign Policy of Modern China (UG Honour)
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Critical Terrorism Studies (UG Honour)
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Emergent Great Powers (PG)
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Global Social and Political Theory (PG)
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, St Andrews
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Global Concepts (PG)
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Security and Development in East Asia (PG)
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Hot Economics, Cold Politics? International Relations of Northeast Asia (UG)
Teaching Fellow, Royal Holloway
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Understanding China’s Rise: Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy (UG Year-3)
Teaching Fellow, Liverpool
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Chairman Mao and Twentieth Century China (UG Year-2)
Associate Lecturer, Leeds International Study Centre, Study Group
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Making of the Modern World,
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Freedom, Power and Resistance
Teaching Assistant, Leeds
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Politics of Contemporary China (UG Year-2)
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Security Studies (UG Year-2)
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Comparative Politics (UG Year-2)
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International Politics (UG Year-1)
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Making of the Modern World (UG Year-1)
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Global Development Challenges (UG Year-1)
What Students Say
Student from Critical Terrorism Studies
“The games are intellectually challenging because they push you to step outside your usual worldview and really understand different perspectives. They’ve made me more aware of the narratives behind political statements — including my own — and helped me think on my feet, challenge others constructively, and express my ideas more clearly. They also create a lively, collaborative space that makes learning feel both meaningful and engaging.”
Student from Emergent Great Powers
"The role-play games were honestly one of the best ways to understand how emerging powers actually operate. We had to think strategically — using tactics like hedging and quiet diplomacy — which made the whole thing feel real. Most of IR focuses on the big powers, but this module really changed how I see global politics."
Student from Foreign Policy of Modern China
I took the module 'IR3046 Foreign Policy of Modern China' taught by Dr Zhang in my first semester of 3rd year. In terms of the module itself, I thought Dr Zhang structured it very well to provide a comprehensive perspective of the different key issues that constitute modern Chinese foreign policy whilst setting them within both a regional and global context. The lecture material was very clearly delivered and the chosen readings as well as other online resources completed the lectures perfectly.
I also attended Dr Zhang's office hours often and she was always very helpful in providing guidance for any Essay work and related questions. Her feedback for Essays was complete and provided clear guidance on how to improve, which were effective as my grade in the final exam demonstrated progress.
Dr Zhang was also very responsive to emails and provided Essay feedback very rapidly, which was pleasant.
The tutorials and seminars were extremely engaging and well guided, with some fascinating points of discussion and place for debate, discussion, and learning.