Event Highlights: EdUHK Delegation Strengthens UK Partnerships in AI and Interdisciplinary Research
EdUHK Delegation Strengthens UK Partnerships in AI and Interdisciplinary Research
Dr Sun Daner leads academic visit to Durham University, University of Warwick, and King's College London, funded by the EdUHK Central Reserve Allocation Committee
HONG KONG, 15 July 2026 – A research delegation from The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has successfully concluded a five-day academic visit to the United Kingdom, forging strategic partnerships with leading universities to advance research in artificial intelligence (AI) and its interdisciplinary applications in education.
The visit, funded by the EdUHK Central Reserve Allocation Committee (CRAC), was led by Dr Sun Daner, Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT). The delegation comprising Dr Pei Leisi, Mr Liu Jingxi, and Ms Xu Zhiwen visited Durham University, the University of Warwick, and King's College London from 20 to 25 June 2026. The mission aimed to deepen academic collaboration, explore student exchange opportunities, and benchmark innovative AI research and pedagogical practices.
Durham University (22 June): Research Seminars, Lab Visits, and Meetings
On 22 June, the delegation engaged in a full day of academic activities at Durham University, comprising research seminars, laboratory visits, and high-level meetings.
1) Laboratory Visit and Research Presentations with Professor Alexandra I. Cristea
The day commenced with a visit to Professor Alexandra I. Cristea's research laboratory, where the delegation received an overview of the team's latest research advancements. Professor Cristea and her research team presented their cutting-edge work spanning multiple innovative areas, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies for educational applications, game-based learning and serious games design, and neuroscience-informed educational research exploring the cognitive mechanisms underlying learning processes. The presentations provided the EdUHK team with valuable insights into Durham's interdisciplinary approach to technology-enhanced learning and the integration of emerging technologies in educational settings. The delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with Professor Cristea and her team, exploring potential synergies between their respective research agendas and identifying concrete areas for collaborative investigation.
Mr Liu Jingxi, Dr Wang Jingyun (Durham University), Prof Alexandra I. Cristea (Durham University), Dr Sun Daner, Dr Pei Leisi, Ms Xu Zhiwen
(From left to right)
Group Photo with Prof Alexandra I. Cristea’ Research Team, Durham University
Research Seminar with Dr Wang Jingyun
Following the lab visit, the delegation participated in a research seminar hosted by the Department of Computer Science, attended by approximately 25 faculty members, research staff, and PhD students. During this session, Dr Sun Daner and Dr Wang Jingyun jointly presented the research outcomes from their CRAC (Central Reserve Allocation Committee) funded projects, showcasing the collaborative work between EdUHK and Durham University. The presentation highlighted the significant findings from their AI-powered learning platform research and the impact of AI enabled adaptive scaffolding on student learning outcomes. Dr Pei Leisi also delivered a presentation on AI-based game design and its applications in educational contexts, sharing her research findings on how game-based approaches integrated with artificial intelligence can enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning performance across various subject areas. The session fostered lively discussions and active Q&A from the audience, with attendees expressing keen interest in the research findings and exploring potential synergies for future collaboration.
Speaker: Dr Sun Daner
Speaker: Dr Wang Jingyun (Durham University)
Speaker: Dr Pei Leisi
2) Laboratory Visits
In the afternoon, the delegation participated in a comprehensive lab tour led by the Head of the Department of Computer Science, Professor Matthew Johnson, accompanied by Dr Wang Jingyun, Professor David Oswald, Dr George Koulieris, and Professor Farshad Arvin. The tour showcased Durham's cutting-edge research facilities, including:
- Biohybrid Robotics Lab (led by Professor Farshad Arvin), demonstrating innovative applications of AI in biological systems, robotics, and bionic technologies
Group Photo with Prof A Farshad Arvin’ Research Team, Durham University
- Display Technologies Lab and Affective Computing Lab (led by Dr George Koulieris), highlighting research on human-computer interaction, emotion-aware computing, and immersive display technologies
Group Photo with Dr George Koulieris, Durham University
- International Security Lab (led by Professor David Oswald), presenting AI applications in cybersecurity, data protection, and secure systems
The lab visits provided valuable insights into how AI is being applied across diverse disciplines – including biology, science, engineering, and bionic technologies – opening new avenues for interdisciplinary research collaboration between EdUHK and Durham University.
The delegation also held a high-level meeting with department head Professor Matthew Johnson to discuss a potential collaboration and exchange between MIT of EdUHK Durham University's Department of Computer Science. The proposed agreement would formalise collaboration on joint research publications in AI-enhanced learning systems and educational technology, international funding applications for collaborative research projects, academic exchange programmes for faculty and postgraduate students.
Dr Sun Daner & Prof Matthew Johnson (Durham University)
University of Warwick (23 June): Group Meeting
On 23 June, the delegation travelled to the University of Warwick for a research seminar and academic exchange with Professor Jane Sinclair, Professor Claire Rocks, and Dr Ayse Sunar from Department of Computer Science. The meeting facilitated in-depth discussions on shared research interests in AI-enhanced STEM education, computational thinking, and the integration of technology in teacher professional development.
Dr Claire Rocks (University of Warwick), Dr Ayse Sunar (University of Warwick), Prof Jane Sinclair (University of Warwick), Dr Sun Daner, Dr Pei Leisi
(From left to right)
King's College London (24 June): Joint Seminar on AI Applications Across Disciplines
On 24 June, the delegation concluded their academic programme with a joint seminar at King's College London, chaired by Professor Mary Webb. The seminar brought together researchers from EdUHK, King's College London, and Durham University, South China Normal University featuring presentations and discussions on AI applications across multiple disciplines. The seminar featured presentations from Prof Mary Webb (KCL), Dr Sun Daner (EdUHK), Dr Pei Leisi (EdUHK), Dr Wan Zhihong (EdUHK), Prof Zhan Zehui (SCNU), Dr Arthur Galamba (King's College London), and King's College London PhD students Ms Chen Weiman and Ms Zhang Wenxin.
Speaker: Dr Sun Daner
Speaker: Dr Pei Leisi
Speaker: Dr Wan Zhihong
Speaker: Dr Wang Jingyun
This hybrid format enabled broader international engagement and strengthened the connections between all participating institutions. The session provided a platform for researchers to exchange perspectives on AI applications in language education, STEM education, and ICT integration, while exploring opportunities for future collaboration. The visit also included a guided tour of King's College London campus and facilities.
Mr Liu Jingxi, Dr Arthur Galamba (King’ College University), Dr Sun Daner, Prof Marry webb (King’ College University), Prof Kieran O'Halloran (King’ College University), Ms Xu Zhiwen, Ms Chen Weiman (King’ College University), Ms Zhang Wenxin (King’ College University)
Online: Ms Zheng Zhizi, Mr Li Dan, Dr Wang Jingyun (Durham University), Ms Zhao Yunfan
(From left to right)
Ms Xu Zhiwen, Dr Pei Leisi, Dr Sun Daner, Mr Liu Jingxi
(From left to right)
Throughout the visit, the delegation explored opportunities for postgraduate student exchange and joint supervision between EdUHK and UK partner institutions. Discussions centred on creating pathways for EdUHK research students to engage with UK-based scholars through visiting research placements and collaborative projects, particularly in the areas of AI-enhanced learning platforms, interdisciplinary AI applications, and educational technology innovation.
The effect of this international engagement positions EdUHK as a regional leader in human-centred AI research and strengthens the University's global research network.
