Sharpen Your Research Edge: Enhancing Research & Professional Practice
Why Attend? Key Benefits
This programme is designed to provide tangible benefits for your doctoral studies and future career:
- Master Advanced Research Methods: Gain practical experience with diverse methodologies, including creative approaches, practitioner inquiry, quantitative rigour, and qualitative synthesis relevant to educational research.
- Boost Your Publication Success: Develop effective strategies for writing, submitting, and revising academic papers, navigate reviewer feedback, and explore alternative publication avenues like podcasts and public scholarship.
- Navigate Your Doctorate & Beyond: Enhance your understanding of ‘doctorateness’, prepare effectively for your viva examination, and gain valuable insights into building an academic career.
- Learn from International Experts: Benefit from the combined expertise, diverse perspectives, and dedicated mentorship of leading academics from XJTLU (China) and the University of St Andrews (UK).
- Build Your Network: Connect and collaborate with fellow doctoral researchers from different institutional backgrounds, fostering a supportive community of practice.
Who Should Apply?
This training course is ideal for:
- Current doctoral students (PhD, DProf, EdD) in language teaching, applied linguistics, education, or related fields.
- Prospective doctoral students preparing to begin their studies.
- Early-career researchers seeking to enhance their methodological and professional skills.
Programme Content & Schedule Highlights
Engage in a rich programme covering key aspects of the doctoral process through interactive workshops, seminars, mentoring opportunities, and peer collaboration.
- Key Themes: Research Design & Ethics, Advanced Methodologies (Qualitative, Quantitative, Creative, Practitioner), Academic Writing & Publication Strategies, Data Analysis & Communication, Professional Development & Career Planning.
- Session Highlights: Explore topics such as “Creative Research Methods,” “Turning Practice into Research Questions,” “Harnessing AI for Instrument Design,” “Systematic Reviews,” “Writing for Practice,” “Getting Your First Job in Academia,” and “Preparing for Your Viva.”
- Interactive Learning: Participate in practical workshops, receive feedback on your work (CVs, articles), engage in peer review sessions, and benefit from dedicated mentoring and consultation slots.
Meet the Instructors
Learn from a dedicated team of experienced researchers and educators from world-renowned universities:
- Dr Trevor Mahy (XJTLU): Academy of Future Education Support in the Academic Literacies Centre within the Global Cultures and Languages Hub at XJTLU, and Chair of the University Research Ethics Review Panel. With over six years of experience in PGR Support, and having just completed his 3-year term as Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship in the School of Languages, his research focuses on researcher development, practitioner research, research ethics, and, more recently, human-AI collaboration dynamics.
- Dr Hua Li (XJTLU): PGR Support in the Academic Literacies Centre, within the Global Cultures and Languages Hub at XJTLU. With over ten years of experience teaching English in the USA and China, her research interests include quantitative analysis and measurement in language education.
- Dr Mark Carver (University of St Andrews): DProf TESOL Programme Director and Senior Lecturer at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on teacher professional learning, feedback, assessment design, teacher education, creative qualitative research methods, and mixed methods research.
- Dr Paula Villegas Verdu (University of St Andrews): Lecturer at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews. Her research interests include Flipped Learning, motivation in EAP, Academic Literacies, Higher Education pedagogies, and practitioner research.
- Dr Amanda French (Birmingham City University, retired): Former Reader in Teaching and Learning at Birmingham City University, joining this programmeas a guest speaker in her role as Associate Editor of ‘Practice: Contemporary Issues in Professional Learning’. Amanda has over 30 years’ experience in academic writing and learner development in higher education, participatory research, and transition experiences in education, employment literacies, widening participation and social justice, radical methodologies, and critical pedagogies.
Location, Dates & Logistics
- Dates: Monday 12 January – Friday 16 January 2026
- Location: IA Building, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), South Campus, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Suzhou, China. Experience the dynamic educational hub of Suzhou, known for its blend of culture and innovation.
- Accommodation & Travel: Participants are responsible for arranging and covering costs associated with their travel to/from Suzhou, accommodation, visas (if required), and daily living expenses. Suggestions for nearby accommodation, including the XJTLU Conference Centre, can be provided.
- Optional Activities: Opportunities for optional, self-funded cultural excursions (e.g. Master of the Nets Garden, Tong Li Water Town) will be available.
Fees & Application
- Programme Fee: 4,600 RMB
- Application Deadline: 01 December 2025
- Payment Deadline: 08 December 2025
- Early Bird Price: 4,150 RMB
- Early Bird application and payment deadline: 15 October 2025
- Scholarship: A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for current XJTLU PhD and EdD students. The scholarship application will be open soon. You will receive details about the application process in October.
- What’s Included: The programme fee will cover tuition for all sessions, access to programme materials, and the concluding social dinner on Friday evening.
- Application Process: Seats are limited. Please register by completing the link: https://survey.gdsqbz.com/vm/mzmzY.aspx. We will send you the details of payment to your email address filled in the registration link. Once your payment is processed, you will receive an email confirming that you have been admitted into the programme.
For students from the University of St Andrews who are interested in this programme, please contact Dr Mark Carver at mac32@st-andrews.ac.uk. - Application Closing Date: 01 December 2025
- Cancellation and Refund Policy: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University reserves the right to cancel the programme for reasons such as low enrolment numbers or instructor availability. Should cancellation occurs, all applicants will be notified within two weeks of the application closing date and will receive a full refund of the programme fee.
Participants who cancel their registration on or before 14 December 2025 will receive a full refund. Regretfully, no refunds can be issued for cancellations received after this date.
All refunds will be processed to the original payment account. Please note that international bank transfers may require additional processing time compared to domestic transfers.
- Certificate:Participants successfully completing the programme will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.
- Accommodation Booking: If you need the accommodation booking, please refer to the hotel price and address as follows.
Price for five nights (12-16 January 2026):- RMB 1,900, one person in one room, breakfast included
- RMB 1,050, two people share one room, breakfast included
Address: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool International Conference Center, 99 Ren’ai Road (Ren’ai Lu), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Contact Information
- For inquiries, please contact: Jie.Han@gdsqbz.com
Partner Institutions
- Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
- University of St Andrews
Sharpen Your Research Edge: Enhancing Research & Professional Practice
（Suzhou, China | 12-16 January 2026）
A unique collaboration between Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and the University of St Andrews
Elevate Your Doctoral Research
Join us in Suzhou for an intensive, one-week training course designed specifically for current and aspiring doctoral researchers in language teaching, applied linguistics, and education. Hosted by the XJTLU Graduate School (XGS) in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, this programme offers a unique opportunity to sharpen your research skills, engage with cutting-edge topics, and connect with international experts and peers. Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning environment focused on practical skills, critical thinking, and successfully navigating your doctoral journey and beyond.