As part of the 2026 International Academic Week on “Educational Leadership and Governance in the Intelligent Era,” a delegation from East China Normal University’s (ECNU) Faculty of Education visited Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development – the third stop of its four-university U.S. tour.
The delegation was warmly received by Dean Stanton Wortham, who highlighted the long-standing connection between the two institutions and expressed strong interest in expanding collaboration in faculty exchange, joint research, and academic publication.
The visit began with a campus tour led by BC students, offering insights into the university’s integrated approach to research and teaching, its strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a vibrant culture of community engagement and service learning.
At a lunchtime seminar hosted by Professor Deoksoon Kim and Associate Professor Mandy Li, faculty and students from both sides shared their research interests and engaged in discussions on AI in education, equity, migration, higher
education reform, and data-informed decision-making.
In the afternoon, Professor Martin Scanlan shared his research on bilingual education and school leadership. Drawing on his work with bilingual school networks, he discussed how language diversity can be treated as an educational asset and explored practical approaches to bilingual schooling across different contexts.
The delegation also visited “The Hatchery,” BC’s interdisciplinary makerspace, which supports hands-on learning and creative practice across disciplines through accessible tools, student-led training, and project-based workshops.
This visit provided a meaningful opportunity to exchange perspectives on education research, leadership, and innovation, further strengthening the foundation for future collaboration.
