We have staff from varied backgrounds who all bring their own experience and strengths to the team.
Dr Ying Zheng is the UK Director of the Confucius Institute. She is also a Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Before joining the University of Southampton in 2013, Ying worked as a Psychometrician and Director of Research (2009-2013) in the Language Testing Division of Pearson , London, a world leading multinational education company. She obtained her MEd (2005) and PhD (2009) in Cognitive Studies from Queen's University, Canada, specializing in Second Language Testing and Assessment.
Email: ying.zheng@soton.ac.uk
Dr Shaomin She is the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute and also an Associate Professor in School of Journalism and Communication at Xiamen university, China. Her research centres around international communication. She has served as a Chinese teacher for the Confucius Institute in San Diego State University, USA (2017-2018). She obtained her Ph.D (2011) in Communication, M.A.(2001) in Journalism and LL.B. (1993) in International Journalism from Xiamen University.
Email: sheshaomin@xmu.edu.cn
Ying Fu is the Core Teacher of the Confucius Institute and also a Senior Teaching Fellow in Modern Languages at the University of Southampton. She has worked in the UK higher education sector for 18 years before joining the UoS in 2016. The universities and institutions she has worked for include Imperial College London (2014-2016), King’s College London (2007-2013), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2003-2007), University of Cambridge (2000-2003) and University of Westminster (2013-2014, 1998-2000). Ying obtained her MA in Bilingual Translation at the University of Westminster in 1998 and PG Diploma in TESL at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand in 1990. Her specialities and research interests are in the area of teaching Chinese as a foreign language and translation.
Email: Y.Fu@soton.ac.uk
Dr Hanyou Li holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics (Concentration: International Chinese Language Education). She has been a Chinese language teacher at the College of International Chinese Education/Overseas Education College, Xiamen University since August 2001. From October 2011 to October 2013, she served as a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Paris Nanterre, France.
Her teaching portfolio includes Comprehensive Chinese, Oral Chinese, Chinese Listening, Chinese Writing, Business Chinese, and HSK tutoring. She currently teaches at Mansbridge Primary School and Barton Peveril College.
Email: Hanyou.Li@soton.ac.uk
Mingxuan obtained her Master's Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL) from South China Normal University. Before joining the Confucius Institute at the University of Southampton in September 2025, she worked as:
Her responsibilities include delivering Mandarin courses at Weston Park Primary School and Highfield Primary School, supporting CI administrative work, and organising cultural events.
Email: mingxuan.liang@soton.ac.uk
Yuan Gao is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in International Chinese Education at Xiamen University. She is a CI Volunteer Teacher at the University of Southampton. Her main responsibilities include supporting Mandarin and GCSE teaching for Year 7–11 at Bohunt School Horsham, assisting CI cultural events, and managing publicity work for the CI.
Tingting Deng is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Xiamen University. She completed her undergraduate degree in French at Xi’an Jiaotong University. From 2023 to 2024, she served as a Mandarin Language Assistant in New Zealand. She is now a CI Volunteer Teacher at the University of Southampton, supporting Mandarin teaching and cultural activities at Bohunt School Worthing, and assisting with CI workshops and events.
Yifei Jia is a graduate student at the University of Southampton, majoring in TESOL. At Bohunt School Liphook, she teaches HSK 4, supports CLIL Chinese courses including PE, and provides speaking practice for A-level and GCSE students. She also assists the CI with organising event materials and taking part in cultural workshops.