Pedagogic Research Knowledge Exchange (ARU-CUHK Joint Session2)

In this "Pedagogic Research Knowledge Exchange" series, educators from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Anglia Ruskin University will collaborate to share their teaching innovations and insights from pedagogic research. This session will focus on experiential learning.

Date: 5 November 2025 (Wednesday)

Start time: 8:30 a.m. (UKT) / 4:30 p.m. (HKT)

Format: Online via Teams

Target audience: Academic staff and professional staff

Topics & Speakers

Prof. Siqi Han, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Siqi Han is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at CUHK. As a sociologist of education, she passionately adapts her research findings in higher education, school-to-work transition, and computational social science to her pedagogy in class. In her teaching, she emphasizes applying the cutting-edge quantitative methods in a friendly way that social science majors can use to support their critical thinking of social problems, such as educational inequality and gender imbalance in STEM occupations. Her research appears in major outlets, including PNAS, Journal of Marriage and Family, and European Sociological Review, among others.

Dr. Kent Lee, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Dr Kent Lee is a senior lecturer whose work focuses on pedagogical innovation, particularly blended learning, AI-enhanced teaching, and gamified learning activities. Over the years, he has led and contributed to several TDLEG-funded projects exploring the integration of technology in higher education. These projects include developing virtual activities designed for large online classes and creating AI-assisted chatbots to support social statistics learning. His interests extend to how EdTech can promote sustainability education and enhance learning experiences for students from diverse backgrounds, especially those with special educational needs. His research seeks to connect theory and practice by applying emerging educational technologies to improve student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.

Topic: Personalized Learning in Sociology Method Course: Developing an Exercise Chatbot to Foster Growth Mindset and Reduce Gender Bias in Learning Statistics

Abstract: This project tackles gender bias in social statistics learning by integrating theories on STEM gender disparities, growth mindset, and statistical anxiety. Research shows that women often experience higher statistics anxiety despite generally performing better, influenced by stereotypes that reinforce fixed mindsets and impede learning. To investigate, we held focus groups with 14 social science undergraduates, revealing how gender biases, self-efficacy, and mindset beliefs affect students’ experiences and anxiety in statistics courses. The study highlighted how teacher attitudes, peer interactions, and internalized stereotypes can either reinforce or reduce fixed and growth mindsets. Based on these insights, we developed a gender-conscious AI chatbot for social statistics education. This chatbot provides personalized, growth mindset–focused messages during exercises to lower anxiety and challenge gender stereotypes. It also supports digital competency by guiding students on effective AI tool use for learning statistics. The intervention aims to boost student motivation, promote equity, enhance self-efficacy, and improve learning outcomes for social science students. The chatbot will be piloted in the Spring 2026 term.

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Dr. Beatriz Acevedo, Associate Professor in Creative Education, Education Leadership (Fellowships and Awards) Anglia Learning and Teaching, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Dr. Beatriz Acevedo is a Colombian artist, educator, and Academic Lead for Creative Education at Anglia Ruskin University. With a background in engineering and creative methodologies, she has led innovative initiatives such as Open Studios—a cross-disciplinary community for creative scholarship—and co-hosts the Exquisite Education Podcast, which explores creativity in higher education. Beatriz is a Principal Fellow of the HEA and a recipient of the National Teaching Fellowship (2020), recognized for her pioneering work in sustainability and creative pedagogy.

Topic: Creative Education in Higher Education: Experiential and Reflective Learning

Abstract: The Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights creativity as one of the most essential skills for thriving in the 21st-century workforce and society. Yet, in many universities, the inclusion of creativity is more to “teach about creativity” rather than experiencing creativity across all disciplines. In this talk, we will explore the evolving role of creativity in higher education, focusing on the role of communities and the importance of experience in creative education. Drawing on current pedagogical scholarship and practical examples from Anglia Ruskin University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, we will examine the challenges, opportunities, and transformative potential of creative education across disciplines.

Registration (For CUHK Staff)

Registration (For ARU Staff)

Registration deadline: 3 November 2025 (Mon) 23:59 HKT

Enquiry

For any queries, please contact Vienne LIN at viennelin@cuhk.edu.hk