Dr. Ngar-sze Lau | Education Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ngar-szeLau, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau is a multi-disciplinary scholar with expertise in Religious Studies, Anthropology, and Education. With a PhD from Lancaster University, UK, and extensive teaching experience at institutions like The Education University of Hong Kong and FoGuang University, she specializes in Positive Education, Mindfulness, and Teacher Professional Development. Dr. Lau serves as an Editorial Board member for the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality and has reviewed for prestigious journals like Frontiers in Education and Mindfulness. Passionate about well-being and mental health education, her research explores the intersection of religion, mind-body healing, and qualitative research methodologies. 📚🌱

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau’s academic journey spans prestigious institutions globally, culminating in a diverse educational background. She earned her PhD in Religious Studies from Lancaster University, UK, delving deep into the intricacies of faith and culture. Her pursuit of knowledge continued with an MPhil in Social Anthropology from the esteemed University of Oxford, UK. Dr. Lau further enriched her understanding of Eastern philosophies with an MSSc in Buddhist Studies from the University of Hong Kong. Additionally, she holds multiple master’s degrees from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, including Religious Studies and Philosophy, alongside certifications in Education and Sociology. 🎓📚

Employment

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau brings a wealth of academic experience, having served as a Senior Lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong and as a Guest and Part-time Instructor at both The Education University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her scholarly endeavors have taken her as a Visiting Scholar to National Cheng Chi University in Taiwan, ROC, specifically in their Graduate Institute of Religious Studies. Dr. Lau’s commitment to education is evident in her role as a Teaching Fellow I at The Hong Kong Institute of Education, specializing in the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education. 🎓✨

Teaching

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau’s teaching and research passions intersect at the nexus of holistic education and well-being. With a focus on Life and Values Education, she advocates for nurturing character and ethics (生命與價值教育). Dr. Lau champions Positive and Inclusive Education (正向教育和融合教育), fostering environments where every learner thrives. Her expertise in Contemplative Practices and Mindfulness Education (靜修和正念教育) promotes mental clarity and emotional resilience. Additionally, she is committed to Teacher Professional Development (教師專業發展), enhancing instructional strategies for effective learning. Dr. Lau’s dedication extends to Well-being and Mental Health Education (幸福和精神健康教育), exploring the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. She employs Qualitative Research and Ethnography (質性研究和民族誌) to delve deep into understanding human experiences. 📚💡

Awards

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau’s dedication to education and research is underscored by a series of accolades and grants. She was honored with the FE Supervision Appreciation Scheme Award and the Inaugural Caring Teaching Award at EdUHK, recognizing her commitment to student mentorship and compassionate teaching (🏆). Dr. Lau’s contributions have been acknowledged with the Long Service Bronze Award from New Asia College, CUHK, and bursaries for presenting papers at international conferences, including those on Buddhism and Sociology of Religion. She has also received research grants from institutions like Kellogg College, University of Oxford, and the Hong Kong Buddhist Association. 🌟

Research Focus

Dr. Ngar-sze Lau’s research spans various areas, notably focusing on mindfulness and holistic well-being in education. She explores the efficacy of mindfulness-based programs for adolescents and pre-service teachers, aiming to enhance mental health and prevent burnout (🧠). Dr. Lau delves into the cultivation of mindfulness in educational settings, promoting holistic learning and well-being. Her work also examines the application of mindfulness approaches for students’ mental health in school counseling. Additionally, she investigates the emergence of Theravāda meditation communities in contemporary China and the lay practice of satipaṭṭhāna, contributing to the understanding of Buddhist practices in modern contexts. 📚🧘‍♀️

Publication Top Notes

Dr Lijuan Wang: Intercultural Education

Dr. Lijuan Wang is a multilingual scholar with a diverse educational background. She earned her Ph.D. in Migrations and Interethnic Relations from the University of Paris 7, complemented by an M.A. in Sciences of Education from the University of Picardie Jules Verne and a B.A. in French Language and Culture from Sichuan Normal University. Proficient in Chinese, French (C2), and English (C2), with additional skills in Finnish. Awarded the Seals of Excellence for her Marie Curie projects by the European Commission. Currently, a research member of the ‘Empowering Teachers for Inclusion in Schools (ETIS)’ project and previously led impactful studies on educational achievement and religious beliefs. 🌐📚🌟

professional profile:

orcid

Education:

Dr. Lijuan Wang, a dedicated scholar, embarked on an academic journey that spans continents. From 2004 to 2008, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Culture at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu, China. Following her passion for education, Lijuan pursued a Master’s degree in Sciences of Education at the University of Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens, France, from 2008 to 2010. Delving deeper into her field, she achieved a Ph.D. in Migrations and Interethnic Relations at the University of Paris 7 from 2010 to 2014. Dr. Wang’s diverse educational background reflects her commitment to cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence. 🌍🎓🌟

Work experiance:

Dr. Lijuan Wang, an accomplished academic, has cultivated an impressive career in education and research. From September 2015 to August 2018, she served as an Associate Professor at the Western Frontier China Centre, Sichuan University, contributing significantly to the academic landscape in Chengdu, China. Building on this foundation, she embarked on a postdoctoral journey at the Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, from February 2019 to August 2023, showcasing her commitment to international research collaboration. Currently, as of September 2023, Dr. Wang holds the esteemed position of Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, marking her continued dedication to advancing knowledge in the field. 🌐🎓🌟

Teaching merits:

Dr. Lijuan Wang is a distinguished educator, contributing significantly to the field of comparative educational research. Her teaching portfolio reflects her expertise and commitment to global education development. From courses such as “Social Justice, Intercultural Education, Sustainability” to “Basic Course in Quantitative Research,” she engages both Master’s and Bachelor’s students in lectures and seminars. Her influence extends internationally, as evidenced by guest lectures at Bordeaux University, France, and Southwest Minzu University, China. Dr. Wang’s expertise was also sought at the International Summer School at Beijing’s Capital Normal University in 2023, showcasing her role as an invited expert in developing global competencies and intercultural education. 🌎📚🎓

Research focus:

Dr. Lijuan Wang’s research primarily focuses on Education. Her extensive body of work delves into various aspects of educational disparities, language learning, socio-cultural attachments, affirmative action, and multicultural contexts. Through studies on the Yi minority and Han majority in China, bilingual education, and the democratization of education in Liangshan, her research underscores a commitment to understanding and addressing issues within the educational landscape. Dr. Wang’s work combines quantitative analyses, case studies, and cultural examinations, contributing valuable insights to the broader discourse on educational equity, social integration, and multicultural education. 🎓📚🌐

publication Top Notes:

Explaining persistent disparities in educational achievement: a comparative study of Yi minority and Han majority in China (2023).

Teacher and peer interaction in lower age novice-newcomer’s L2 learning and socialisation (2022).

Rethinking the multicultural education in Finland / Repenser l’éducation multiculturelle en Finlande (2021).

Bilingual education and beyond: how school settings shape the Chinese Yi minority’s socio-cultural attachments.

Discrimination positive et démocratisation de l’accès à l’école en Chine mesurée par le coefficient de Gini (2000–2015).

L’École chinoise et l’“action affirmative” envers ses minorités (2018).

L’école chinoise à travers les statistiques (2016).

Unis dans la diversité et l’adversité (2015).

De la petite à la grande patrie, la question de l’identification chez les élèves Yi et Han dans la préfecture des Yi de Liangshan (Sichuan) (2014).

La politique scolaire de «discrimination positive» et ses représentations chez les élèves dans la province du Sichuan (Chine) (2012).