Invited Speakers

Invited Speakers 邀请报告人

 

 

 

Prof. Yu XIONG, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China

 

Yu Xiong is currently a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor with Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CQUPT), and the executive director of  Chongqing Municipal Research Center for Educational Big Data. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of Technical Committee on Intelligent Education of Chinese Association of Automation (CAA), the Secretary General of Chongqing Higher Education Steering Committee for Teaching Informatization and Teaching Innovation, and the Senior Member of China Computer Federation (CCF). His research interests include artificial intelligence and smart education, pattern recognition and machine learning, and educational data mining. He has taken more than 20 research projects of provincial and ministerial level, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chongqing Special Key Project for Technology Innovation and Application Development, Chongqing Key Research Project for Higher Education Teaching Reform, etc. He has published more than 60 academic papers in SCI, EI, CSSCI journals and conference proceedings. Besides, he was awarded 3 the first prize of Provincial and Ministerial-Level Science and Technology Awards and 1 the first prize of Provincial and Ministerial-Level Teaching Achievement Award.

 

 

Prof. Zhi Liu
Prof. Zhi Liu, Central China Normal University, China

Zhi Liu is a Professor, PhD Supervisor, and Deputy Head of the Department of Data Science within the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education at Central China Normal University (CCNU), who has also maintained a long-term appointment as a Guest Researcher at the Humboldt University of Berlin since 2017 and is currently a Visiting Scholar at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) for the 2025-2026 term. Specializing in text mining, educational data mining, and intelligent tutoring systems, Professor Liu has published over 60 SCI/SSCI-indexed papers in top-tier journals such as Knowledge-Based Systems, Computers & Education, and IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, including seven ESI Highly Cited Papers (Top 1%), and his significant scholarly impact is further underscored by his recognition as a Top 1% Highly Cited Scholar by CNKI for two consecutive years (2024-2025). As a leading researcher, he serves as the Principal Investigator for the National Key R&D Program of China (2030 Major Projects) and several projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, while also holding various key academic leadership roles, including Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the national-level journal Teacher Education Forum, Chair of the Organizing Committee for ICET, Guest Associate Editor for Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, and Editorial Board Member for Discover Education. His distinguished contributions have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, most notably the First Prize of the Hubei Social Science Outstanding Achievement Award (2025), the First Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Hubei Province (2024), and the First Prize of the Hubei Province Teaching Achievement Award (2022).

Title: Science Education Agent: From Framework Exploration to the “Qizhi” Intelligent Tutoring System
Abstract: This speech explores the practical implementation of Science Education Agents to enhance scientific literacy, addressing China's strategic goal of AI-driven educational transformation. Building upon our previously established cognitive framework, this presentation introduces “Qizhi” (启智), a newly deployed intelligent tutoring agent system dedicated to primary science education. Driven by an underlying science education large language model (SE-LLM) fine-tuned on a curriculum-aligned dataset (which previously demonstrated 89.1% accuracy in scientific reasoning), “Qizhi” translates cutting-edge AI capabilities into autonomous pedagogical practice through three core functionalities: accurate open Q&A for precise scientific explanations; heuristic scaffolding utilizing Socratic dialogue to dynamically guide student inquiry rather than providing direct answers; and real-time scientific literacy assessment to evaluate conceptual mastery and critical thinking. By transitioning from theoretical model training to an applied, closed-loop agentic learning environment, the system effectively fosters students’ curiosity and logical reasoning. The presentation concludes by sharing empirical insights from Qizhi’s deployment and outlining future directions—such as VR-integrated experiential learning and multi-agent collaborative inquiry—solidifying intelligent educational agents as transformative tools for next-generation science education.

Prof. Hywel Evans, Otsuma Women’s University, Japan

 

Dr. Hywel Evans has over forty years’ of experience in language education and research and has published scores of peer-reviewed scholarly papers in both linguistic theory and language teaching. He has presented his research at many conferences and has acted as chair of international conferences on a number of occasions. In addition, he has published textbooks and translations into English. He has a PhD in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of London, and he is vitally concerned with the intersection between linguistic theory and practical utility in language teaching. In particular, he is fascinated by how an understanding of human evolution can help us understand the process of learning as a way of bringing us back to basics in language education. Evidence from the phylogenetic domain prompts us to reconsider facets of theoretical linguistics that have had a profound effect on how we imagine that language-learning takes place. As a result, linguistic theory and practical applications can be re-worked and revived. He worked at Tsuru University, Yamanashi Prefecture, in Japan for many years, including a stint as head of the English Department. He is currently full-time professor at Otsuma Women’s University, in central Tokyo, in the Department of Language and Literature.



 

Assoc. Prof. Fang XU, Nantong University, China


Associate Professor of Educational Technology, College of Educational Science, Nantong University, Master Supervisor, Ph.D., is engaged in the research of digitalisation in education. He has published more than 60 academic papers in domestic and international journals, including one SSCI source journal and 15 CSSCI source journals as the first author, of which two were reprinted in the Renmin University of China Newspaper and Periodical Reprints. He has published 6 academic monographs in Science Press, People's Publishing House, China Social Science Publishing House and Jilin University Press. He has presided over more than 20 projects, including the General Project of the National Social Science Foundation, the Key Project of the National Education Examination Scientific Research Planning Project, the Online Education Fund of the Ministry of Education, the Social Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, the Social Science Foundation of Henan Province, the Key Research and Development and Promotion Programme of Henan Province (Soft Science Project), the Key Scientific Research Project of Henan Province Colleges and Universities, the Social Science Foundation of Gansu Province, the Key Project of the Chinese Society of Higher Education for Education Informatisation, and the National Scientific Research Project of Foreign Languages, and so on. He has won more than ten awards, including the Third Prize of Philosophy and Social Science Achievements of Jiangsu Universities, the First Prize of Excellent Scientific Research Achievement Award of Education Science Planning of Henan Province, the Second Prize of Excellent Scientific Research Achievements of Gansu Universities, the Second Prize of Philosophy and Social Science of Nantong City, and other various awards. He was awarded the 2020 Young Backbone Teachers of Universities in Henan Province. He is now an expert in appraising the achievements of the National Social Science Foundation.

 

Assoc. Prof. Guolong Quan, Jiangnan University, China


Dr. Quan is an Associate Professor at the School of Education, Jiangnan University, holding a PhD from East China Normal University. With over 15 years of interdisciplinary research experience spanning learning science and technology, educational informatization, and AI-integrated pedagogy, his expertise centers on e-learning systems, knowledge visualization design, and technology-enhanced educational innovation.
Dr. Quan has spearheaded multiple national and institutional research initiatives, focusing on knowledge representation in STEM education, experiential learning empowered by intelligent technologies, and digital literacy frameworks for smart education. His collaborative projects extensively explore the intersection of pedagogical theory, data-driven instructional design, and adaptive learning analytics.
Currently, his primary research investigates the application architecture of adaptive learning systems under evolving curricular and technological paradigms. This includes systematic analysis of system functionalities aligned with next-generation curriculum standards, evidence-based design of AI-assisted teaching models, and empirical evaluations to optimize intelligent educational practices. His work contributes to advancing scalable, personalized learning and teaching solutions in digitally transformed educational ecosystems.

 

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Yan Li, Hebei Normal University, China


Yan Li is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Foreign Language Education at the School of Foreign Languages, Hebei Normal University. She is the principal investigator of a provincial-level project titled “Empowering Pre-service English Teachers with AI to Develop Critical Thinking and Intercultural Competence,” and has led two related institutional-level projects. In recent years, she has actively participated in numerous international academic conferences. Her research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence in English education, with a specific interest in the professional development of English teachers in the Digital Era. Her work aims to bridge the gap between technology and pedagogy, fostering innovations in English education that align with the needs of a rapidly evolving globalized world.

 

 

Prof.Heng Luo, Central China Normal University, China


Heng Luo received his Ph.D. degree in Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation from Syracuse University in 2015, and worked as a Research Associate at John A. Dutton e-Education Institute in the Pennsylvania State University for two years. He is currently a Professor and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education, Central China Normal University. His research work focuses on the effective integration of learning sciences, instructional design, and AI technologies to promote quality and equity of education in diverse contexts. Dr. Luo has been initiating socially responsive research programs that address the urgent needs and pressing issues in nowadays educational paradigm, such as inclusive e-learning, open education initiatives, self-regulated learning, STEM education, and safety education, leading to over 50 publications in SCI/SSCI/CSSCI journals. His academic contribution has been recognized with scholarly awards such as TICL Outstanding International Research Collaboration Award (AERA' 2022), Excellent Research Paper Award in International Conference on Blended Learning (2019 and 2020), and D&D Outstanding Practice Award (AECT' 2019).

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Taotao Long, Central China Normal University, China


Taotao Long is an associate  professor in the Department of Science Education at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education in Central Normal University. She has got the Ph.D in educational technology at the University of Tennessee, USA. Her research interests include professional development for science teachers, integrating technology in the classroom, and teaching of thinking. She has worked as the principal investigator of a variety of projects, including the NSFC (National Science Foundation in China) project. In the past five years, she has published more than 10 papers on the SSCI indexed journals as the first or corresponding author.

 

Assoc. Prof. Zhenguo Xu, Qufu Normal University, China


Xu Zhenguo, Ph.D. in Science, Postdoctoral Fellow in Education, Associate Professor at Qufu Normal University, and Assistant to the Dean of the School of Communication. He is a Leading Talent of the Shandong Philosophy and Social Sciences “111” Program, Head of the “Educational Artificial Intelligence Innovation Team” (a youth innovation team in Shandong higher education institutions), and Deputy Director of the Shandong “Internet+ Education” Applied Research Base. He has led over 10 research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Sciences Research Projects. He has published more than 50 academic papers in SCI, SSCI, and CSSCI journals. He has also published 2 monographs and edited 1 textbook. He has received honors such as the Second Prize of the Shandong Provincial Outstanding Social Science Achievement Award, as well as Shandong Provincial Outstanding Master’s Thesis and Outstanding Doctoral Thesis awards. He serves as a reviewer for SCI, SSCI, and CSSCI journals, an expert committee member of the Artificial Intelligence Professional Committee of the China Association for Educational Technology, a director of the Information Technology Education in Primary and Secondary Schools Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Education, and an executive director of the Chinese Society for Inquiry Learning.

 

Prof. Shaoying Gong, Central China Normal University, China


Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Psychology, Central China Normal University. Serves as a council member of the Educational Psychology Professional Committee and the Cyber Psychology Professional Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society, a member of the Adolescent Mental Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Association for Mental Health, and a standing council member of the Hubei Psychological Society. Her primary research areas include online learning and instructional psychology, self-regulated learning, emotion and learning, and game-based learning. She has led over ten research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and various provincial and ministerial agencies. She has published more than 100 papers in prominent academic journals both domestically and internationally, as well as one textbook and two translated books.