Calling international students and Chinese students at Queen’s
Below are two pieces of ‘Wanted’ messages looking for participants. If you think you are the right person to get involved and make a contribution, feel free to contact them to express your interest.
1 Participants for AI and Second Language Acquisition Research
My name is Zhuofei, and you can call me Sophie.
I’m a PhD student in psychology at Queen’s. My first study focuses on the impact of AI on Second Language Acquisition. I’m currently looking for international students who are Non-English Speaker from any countries.
As an international student, have you ever used AI in your language use?
My answer is: I have — and quite a lot, to be honest!
As non-native English speakers, it’s perfectly normal for us to experience a bit of language anxiety when using English in UK classrooms. Imagine that moment when you want to speak up, but your brain decides to play hide-and-seek with vocabulary. Yep, been there.
Now here are the big questions:
Does using AI to help with language actually reduce that anxiety?
Does it make you more motivated to learn? Or more confident to speak up in class? Or… does it sometimes make things worse?
That’s what I’d love to find out — with your help! Let’s explore together how AI is really shaping our language learning journeys as international students. Who knows — you might discover you’re not the only one secretly best friends with ChatGPT!
If you are interested in taking part, please scan the QR code in the poster😊
There will also be a Focus Group on the same topic later. if you wish to participate, please send me an email. Thank you very much and looking forward to having a chat with you in what promises to be a very interesting discussion 👍
How to International – My Intercultural Journey as A Global Citizen 何以国际化 —— 我的全球公民跨文化之旅
Friday 13th June 2025 13:00-14:00 Auditorium, The McClay Library Teams: invite to be sent after registration
Speaker: Dr Zheng LI (李铮) is lecturer in School of Electronic, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Find Zheng’s academic profile Outline: Inspired by Jimmy O. Yang’s How to American, I’d like to begin by sharing my journey as a global citizen from China to Australia, Sweden, Chile, and now the UK. Through these diverse experiences, I’ve learned not just how to adapt, but how to thrive across cultures. In particular, I will share some personal reflections on how to survive and grow internationally. For me, it comes down to three key approaches – understanding, respecting and enjoying. Each culture offers something new to learn, appreciate, and celebrate. It is in that mindset that we truly become global citizens.
Melodies of the Chinese Zither and the Perfume of Books 琴韵书香迎端午 Friday 30th May 2025 13:00 – 15:00 Auditorium, The McClay Library
Speaker/Performer:
Wei DENG (邓维), QUB alumna from School of Arts, English and Languages
Chen GAO (高宸), visiting PhD candidate at School of Arts, English and Languages, from Minzu University of China
Outline:
This special forum consists of two sections.
In the first half, Wei will introduce her proposed project with Ludo Dao CIC which is committed to exploring the development of an intercultural approach to musical performance, focusing on the dialogue between the Chinese traditional guzheng and Northern Irish musical instruments. She will also perform selected guzheng pieces live and warmly invites local musicians — from Queen’s and beyond — to join in this intercultural exchange through music.
In the second half, Chenwill present an introduction to the Siku Quanshu (《四库全书》), the monumental imperial collection that has recently been shelved in Queen’s McClay Library. Focusing on its compilation process and the discernment of scholarly traditions, Chen will explore both the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Complete Library of the Four Repertoires.
In her first episode, Liu Ningning introduced her life with dance at Queen’s. In the second half, she continues to share with us how she has done so far to build up confidence in academic growth. For more information on her research interest, please read the School of Law webpage.
Finding My Voice: From Queen’s Competition to Cambridge Conversations
As a first-year PhD student in Law at Queen’s, one of my goals has always been to go beyond my thesis — to challenge myself, engage with others, and grow as both a scholar and a communicator. This spring, I took two major steps toward that goal: I participated in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition hosted by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), and I attended my first academic conference in the UK — the Cambridge International Law Journal’s Annual Conference.
“Three Minutes, One Slide”
The 3MT Competition took place on 20 March 2025 and brought together PhD researchers from across AHSS Schools to do something both daunting and exciting: present their entire PhD research in just three minutes, using only one static slide, to a non-specialist audience.
It was my first academic competition at Queen’s, my first presentation to a public audience beyond my supervisors and peers, my first time competing in English — and, frankly, my first time doing anything like this. To make things even more challenging, I wasn’t feeling my best physically that day. But I reminded myself: this wasn’t just about competing — it was about learning. It was a valuable opportunity for practice, feedback, and growth — especially ahead of my differentiation review and future conference presentations. I wanted to hear comments from people outside my discipline. I wanted to get my research out there, early.
And I did.
Liu Ningning, runner-up award winner, in the group photo of the AHSS 3MT Competition. (Photo source: QUB School of Law)
To my surprise, I was awarded Runner-Up. I was the only Chinese and East Asian student, the only first-year PhD among the winners, and I received incredibly warm, encouraging feedback from both judges and audience members. But what meant the most was realising that my voice could be heard — and appreciated — even in a room full of native speakers.
More importantly, I grew from the experience. The challenge of condensing a complex PhD project into a strict three-minute format forced me to reflect on what really matters in my research — what’s essential, what’s meaningful, and how to connect with people unfamiliar with my field. The process sharpened not only my ideas but also my sense of purpose.
As a non-native English speaker, I know how intimidating it can be to speak publicly. Many Chinese students worry about accents, grammar, or not “sounding perfect.” But I’ve learned that presentation is not just about flawless English — it’s about clarity, confidence, and connection. Everyone has an accent. What matters is whether your audience understands your message and feels your intention.
Liu Ningning at the 3MT Competition event
Liu Ningning’s Runner-Up Award
The competition also gave me the chance to listen and learn from others. I was inspired by the diversity of topics, styles, and approaches. From research focus to methodology to presentation techniques, I came away with insights that will help shape my academic journey.
I would encourage my peers to take part in competitions, workshops, conferences, and other events. Step up, speak out — not necessary to win, but to grow.
From Queen’s to Cambridge
Building on that momentum, I travelled to Cambridge in late April to attend the 14th Annual Conference of the Cambridge International Law Journal, themed Navigating a Multipolar World: Challenges to the Post-WWII Status Quo of International Law. This was my first academic conference in the UK — and I attended not to present (yet!), but to observe, learn, and take the temperature ahead of my upcoming presentation at the Warwick Law Colloquium in June.
My academic background — in German asylum law for my undergraduate thesis, and international organisation law for my master’s — has always drawn me to global legal issues.
The Cambridge conference gave me a front-row seat to current conversations on climate justice, international criminal law, cyber governance, and the future of human rights. Attending this conference — listening to panels, keynote speeches, and hallway conversations — reminded me why I chose to pursue a PhD. It also gave me ideas for positioning my own research within the broader context of global legal developments.
Both experiences have inspired me to grow — not only as a researcher, but also as a communicator and an engaged member of the academic community. I’ve learned that making an impact isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, being open to learning, and having the courage to share your thoughts. Often, that first step is all it takes to start something meaningful.
