Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło | Cultural Studies | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China

Dr. Paweł Zygadło is an expert in Chinese philosophy and cultural studies with a PhD from National Chengchi University, Taiwan. He has held various academic roles, including Acting Director of Post-graduate Research and Deputy Head of the Department of China Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. His research focuses on contemporary Chinese society, rituals, and human nature, with numerous international conference presentations. Dr. Zygadło has received multiple awards, including the Khyentse Foundation Award for Excellence in Buddhist Studies. He is a member of the European Association for China Studies and the Chinese Studies Association of Australia. 📚🌏

Publication Profile

Orcid

Educational Background

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło has a diverse academic background, beginning with a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies (Study of Religions and East Asian Studies) from Jagiellonian University, Cracow (1999–2004). He then pursued intensive Mandarin Chinese training at National Taiwan Normal University (2004–2005) and Communication University of China (2009). Dr. Zygadło earned his PhD in Philosophy from National Chengchi University, Taipei (2005–2013), further refining his expertise in Chinese philosophy and culture. His educational journey has played a crucial role in shaping his academic contributions to China studies. 🎓🌏📚

Awards, Fellowships, and Memberships

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło has received several prestigious awards and fellowships throughout his academic career. He became a member of the European Association for China Studies (EACS) in March 2023 and the Chinese Studies Association of Australia (CSAA) in June 2019. In 2016, he was awarded an RDF for his work on “The Concept of Face in Contemporary Chinese Society.” Other notable honors include the Khyentse Foundation Award for Excellence in Buddhist Studies (2012), multiple Taiwan Scholarships (2004–2010), and a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in 2016. 🏅🌍📜🎓

Work Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło has had an extensive career at Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, where he served as Acting Director of Post-graduate Research (Feb–Sept 2023), Associate Chair of the University Ethics Committee (2021–2023), and Deputy Head of the Department of China Studies (2018–2023). He has been an Associate Professor at the same department since 2016. Earlier, he was a Lecturer at both Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (2015–2016) and Minjiang University, Fuzhou (2013–2015). Dr. Zygadło began his academic career as an ESL teacher at Shengxing Chinese and English School in 2009. 🎓🌏📚👨‍🏫

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paweł Zygadło’s research focuses on Chinese philosophy, cultural studies, and intercultural communication. His work examines topics such as Chinese values, the concept of face, moral psychology, and socio-political discourse in China. He explores themes related to Confucianism, Buddhist philosophy, and Chinese communication styles, including politeness and rhetoric. Dr. Zygadło’s research also covers the evolution of the Chinese psyche and space perception in Chinese culture. His publications contribute to the understanding of cultural particularism, national pride, and face and authority in Chinese contexts. 📚🌏💬🧠

Publication Top Notes

Is human nature evil?—A re-examination of Xunzi’s argumentation and its implication for moral psychology – Asian Philosophy, 2024, DOI: 10.1080/09552367.2024.2430121 📘🤔
China and the World: Language, Culture, Politics (vol. 2) – St Kliment Ohridski University Press, 2021 📚🌏
Face and Oppression– Lu Xun and Lin Yutangon Chinese Cult of Face – Crossroads of Liberty: Asian, African and European Literature Towards Freedom and Oppression, 2021 📖💬
China and the World: Language, Culture, Politics (vol. 1) – St Kliment Ohridski University Press, 2020 📚🌏
Euphemism and communication in the Chinese cultural context – China and the World: Language, Culture Politics, 2020 🗣️🌍
Perception of space and the evolution of the Chinese psyche – Acta Asiatica Varsoviensia, 2020 🧠🌏
Face and Authority: Cultural Challenges of Teaching in China – IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 2020, DOI: 10.22492/ijcs.5.2.05 🎓🏫
‘Chinese Values’ in Official Socio-political Discourse of PRC – New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies, 2020 🌐🇨🇳
Face and communication in Chinese context – Gdańskie Studia Azji Wschodniej, 2018 💬🇨🇳
Cultural Particularism and Intercultural Communication: The Case of Chinese Face – IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 2018, DOI: 10.22492/ijcs.3.2.05 🧑‍🤝‍🧑🌏
Patriotic Rhetoric in Chinese Public Spaces – IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 2017, DOI: 10.22492/ijcs.2.2.01 🇨🇳📢
Chinese Politeness (Limao) – Theory and Practice – DEStech Transactions on Social Science, Education and Human Science, 2017, DOI: 10.12783/dtssehs/icss2016/9204 🧑‍🎓🙏

Dr Mwayi Lusaka | History and cultural heritage | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer, Mzuzu University- Department of History and Heritage, Malawi

Dr. Mwayi Woyamba Lusaka is a Malawian historian and heritage studies expert. With a wealth of experience in researching, presenting, and publishing work in cultural heritage, he is committed to preserving Malawi’s history and promoting public awareness through education and conservation projects. His contributions extend to international conferences and locally published articles, making him a leading voice in Malawian cultural and historical conservation.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Lusaka holds a Doctor of Philosophy in History, specializing in heritage issues, from the University of the Western Cape (2016-2019). He also earned a Master’s degree (cum laude) and a Postgraduate Diploma (cum laude) in Museum and Heritage Studies from the same university. His educational foundation was established at Chancellor College, University of Malawi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Education in Humanities.

💼 Experience

With over a decade of experience, Dr. Lusaka has held various roles in education and heritage management. His career began in secondary education, teaching history and humanities. He later served as a History Tutor and Research Coach at the University of the Western Cape and currently lectures at Mzuzu University in History and Heritage Studies. Dr. Lusaka’s fieldwork includes multiple UNESCO and NORAD-funded heritage projects, where he developed expertise in managing cultural sites and community mobilization.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Lusaka’s research interests center on cultural heritage, memory, and history conservation, particularly in Malawi. He explores the intersection of oral history, heritage management, and public history. His projects often involve traditional architecture, intangible cultural heritage, and the socio-political aspects of heritage representation.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Lusaka’s academic journey is marked by numerous awards. These include the Andrew Mellon Fellowships for both his Master’s and Doctoral studies at the University of the Western Cape. He also received the Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit List Award twice and an award for his first peer-reviewed publication titled Memory, Oral History and Conservation at Robben Island’s Bluestone Quarry.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Lusaka, M. (2017). Memory, Oral History and Conservation at Robben Island’s Bluestone Quarry. South African Historical Journal. DOI:10.1080/02582473.2017.1359329
Cited by: Numerous articles exploring memory and heritage conservation.

Lusaka, M. (2020). Dividing the Nation or Promoting Unity? Ethnic-Based Associations and Production of Heritage in Malawi. In K. Ross & W. O. Mulwafu (Eds.), Politics, Christianity and Society in Malawi.

Lusaka, M. (2022). Museums as Agents for Social Change: Collaborative Programmes at the Mutare Museum. Museum Management and Curatorship, 37(4), 449-453.

Lusaka, M. (2023). Curating the Nation: Collections, Ethnographic Representations, and Heritage Production at Museum of Malawi. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10:1. DOI:10.1080/23311983.2022.2160577

Lusaka, M. (2023). Kamuzu Banda’s Memory and Negotiation of Power in Malawi. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10:1. DOI:10.1080/23311983.2023.2198319

Lusaka, M. (2023). Whose Museum? Collaboration and Contestation over Heritage Management at the Cultural and Museum Center Karonga in Malawi. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10:1.

Conclusion

Dr. Mwayi Woyamba Lusaka’s extensive experience in heritage research, project management, and public engagement makes him an outstanding candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His commitment to preserving and promoting Malawian heritage, coupled with his academic achievements and international involvement, highlight his suitability for this honor. With minor improvements in global engagement and cross-disciplinary research, Dr. Lusaka’s influence and contribution to heritage studies can reach even greater heights.

Paweł Zygadło | Cultural Studies | Best Researcher Award