Meng Xiao

Dr. Meng Xiao's journey in academia and activism is deeply intertwined with issues of race, ethnicity, and colonialism. As a researcher and educator committed to social justice and anti-oppressive pedagogy, Meng's work addresses the intersecting dynamics of race, ethnicity, and colonial legacies within educational systems. Beginning with their academic pursuits, Meng's focus on Comparative, International & Development Education reflects a keen interest in understanding the global disparities in education, often rooted in colonial histories and perpetuated by systemic inequalities. Their doctoral thesis, supervised by Dr. Douglas McDougall, delved into the experiences of Chinese international graduate students in Canadian educational institutions, shedding light on the complexities of navigating cultural differences, racial biases, and colonial legacies within academia. Moreover, Meng's professional experiences, including roles as a Graduate Research Assistant and Course Instructor in both Canadian and Chinese educational settings, have provided them with firsthand insights into the diverse ways in which race, ethnicity, and colonialism manifest within educational contexts. Their commitment to promoting education for gender equality progress in China demonstrates a recognition of the intersectionality of oppressions, including those stemming from colonial histories and patriarchal structures. In their advocacy and professional service endeavors, Meng actively engages with issues of race, ethnicity, and colonialism by serving as a reviewer for academic journals, participating in committees, and contributing as a guest speaker and panelist. Their memberships in organizations such as the Comparative, International & Development Education Centre and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education PhDs and Professionals reflect a dedication to advancing critical dialogues on race, ethnicity, and colonialism within educational research and practice. Through their publications and conference presentations, Meng continues to amplify marginalized voices and challenge dominant narratives surrounding race, ethnicity, and colonialism in education. By fostering equitable and inclusive learning environments, Meng exemplifies their commitment to dismantling oppressive structures and fostering positive change within educational systems and beyond.

Research Areas

• Race, Ethnicity & Colonialism

Areas of interest

• Race, Ethnicity, Social Justice & Socio-cultural theories

Selected publications

• Xiao, M. (2022). "Sense of belonging: rethinking engagement and needs of Chinese international graduate students at the Canadian higher education." Book chapter. In Handbook of Research on Teaching Strategies for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse International Students.
• Xiao, M. (2022). "Culture difference: student engagement of Chinese international graduate students at a Canadian university." Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education, 14(2).
• Xiao, M. (2021). "Chinese international graduate students at Canadian universities: language barriers, cultural identities and perceived problems of engagement." International Journal of Inclusive Education, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1941318.
• Xiao, M. (2020). "Student engagement: Chinese international student experiences in Canadian graduate schools." PhD Thesis, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto (Canada).

Presentations

• (2021). "Where is the Campus? Where is the Community?"
• (2020). "Rethinking Chinese international student engagement in Canadian graduate schools: From a comparative analysis." Presented at the 2020 Comparative and International Education Society annual virtual conference.
• (2020). "Deconstruing and Reconstructing: Chinese international student engagement in Canadian higher education." Keynote presented in the 3rd series of Youth Care Center On-live Steam, Virtual Seminar.
• (2020). "In Conversation with Dr. Meng Xiao: Supporting Chinese international students at the University of Toronto." Interviewed by Innovation Hub, Student Life, University of Toronto, Canada.
• (2020). "Navigating Doctor Study: PhD and EDD." Panel discussion at OISE 2020 Graduate Student Research Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• (2020). "Chinese Student Engagement in the era of Internationalization." Guest speaker presented at China-Canada Cooperation Seminar on Vocational Education, organized by the of Canadian International Education Council and Shanxi Radio and Television, Virtual Conference.
• "What matters for International Students. Panel discussion at OISE 2021 Graduate Student Research Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• (2020). "Passive Learners? Rethinking Chinese International Student Identities in Canadian Post-secondary Institutions." Presented at the 2020 conference on China and Higher Education: Navigating Uncertainty Futures, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
• (2019). "Rethinking Chinese bilingual international student & McDougall, D. E engagement in Canadian graduate study: From a comparative analysis." Presented at the 2019 Conference on Acquisition of Chinese: Bilingualism and Multilingualism, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
• (2019). "Student Engagement: Chinese international student & McDougall, D. E experience in Canadian graduate schools." Presented at the 2019 Canadian Society for the Study of Education Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada.
• (2019). "Gender in Ballad of Mulan and Disney’s Mulan." Presented at the 2019 Comparative & International Education Society, San Francisco, US.
• (2019). "Rethinking Chinese international student & McDougall, D. E engagement in a neoliberal time." Presented at the 5th Asian Conference on Education & International Development (ACEID2019), Tokyo, Japan.
• (2019). "Rethinking Chinese bilingual international student & McDougall, D. E engagement in Canadian graduate study: From a comparative analysis." Presented at the 2019 conference on “Acquisition of Chinese: Bilingualism and Multilingualism”, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
• (2019). "Student Engagement: Chinese international student & McDougall, D. E experience in Canadian graduate schools." Presented at the 2019 Canadian Society for the Study of Education Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada.
• (2019). "Gender in Ballad of Mulan and Disney’s Mulan." Presented at the 2019 Comparative & International Education Society, San Francisco, US.
• (2019). "Rethinking Chinese international student & McDougall, D. E engagement in a neoliberal time." Presented at the 5th Asian Conference on Education & International Development (ACEID2019), Tokyo, Japan.
• (2018). "Gender in Ballad of Mulan and Disney’s Mulan: From a Comparative Analysis." Presented at 2018 Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies (CIARS) Decolonizing Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• (2018). "Indigenous Environment Education: Bring an indigenous eco-justice and social-justice worldview back to reconciliation." Presented at 25th Biennial Canadian Ethnic Study Association (CESA) Conference, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
• (2018). "Bring an indigenous eco-justice and social-justice worldview back to reconciliation." Paper presented at 5th International Conference on Reciprocal Learning, Changchun, China.