Yunjia Xie, PhD Student in Educational Studies in the Department of Integrated Studies (DISE) and Plurilingual Lab Member at McGill University, has been recognized with the prestigious International Student Excellence in Research Graduate Award. This DISE award celebrates the outstanding contributions of international students to educational research and highlights their impact on the academic community.
Currently in the first year of her PhD studies under the supervision of Dr. Angelica Galante, Xie’s research explores plurilingualism, pluriculturalism, and the internationalization of education. Her doctoral work, titled “Toward Decoloniality: Enhancing Teachers’ Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence in Quebec-China Transnational Higher Education,” seeks to address language and cultural stress in transnational higher education settings. By employing a design-based approach, Xie aims to enhance the plurilingual and pluricultural competencies of teachers working in three Sino-foreign transnational higher education institutions. Her study involves in-depth data collection through one-on-one pre- and post-semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with in-service educators.
Reflecting on the significance of this recognition, Xie emphasized that the award not only acknowledges her past contributions to plurilingual and pluricultural education but also affirms the importance of her ongoing doctoral research. "Receiving this award reinforces my commitment to exploring decolonial approaches in language education and strengthens my determination to contribute meaningful insights to the field through my PhD research," she stated.
Xie’s work is expected to make a significant impact in the realm of transnational higher education by providing valuable insights into how educators can navigate linguistic and cultural diversity in globalized academic settings. As she continues her research journey, her contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of language education and inform policies that foster more inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Congratulations!
