Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s Student-Led Teaching Awards are back to recognise outstanding members of learning and support staff. After a challenging year for everyone, we’re celebrating our worthy nominees by shouting about their successes across our digital platforms. 

What is your full name?  

Duo Laun

What is your job title? 

Senior Teaching Fellow 

What school or service do you work in? 

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your role. 

I started my job at the University of Edinburgh in 2018. My current role is Chinese language programme director for Chinese Studies at the LLC and Confucius Institute for Scotland. I have taught Chinese language in UK HE for almost two decades. What I am responsible for in my current role is to design and develop the Chinese language programme as well as to deliver Chinese language teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Asian Studies.   

What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Teaching Award this year? 

2020/21 has been a very tough and challenging year for our students. What we have done is support and provide the best teaching and service we can to ensure our students’ academic progression and study experience at the University of Edinburgh. This nomination means a huge amount to me and to our Chinese Studies team. Thanks so much for nominating me. I really appreciated. 

What’s your favourite part of your role and working with students? 

Teaching Chinese. Seeing every achievement made by my students. 

How have you adapted your approach to teaching and supporting students under the Hybrid Model this year? 

Regular contact with students by email, Team, and Learn, to make sure no one is out of radar. I also redesigned the course for online, blended and flipped language courses. The most important thing of all is to listen to your student’s voice. 

What’s been the biggest challenge in your role this year? 

To provide alternative solutions for students who cannot take a year abroad studies in China. 

What would you say to the student(s) who nominated you, or students who are considering submitting a nomination for a staff member who has had an impact on them? 

Many thanks for nominating me. I really appreciate it! It has been a tough year for us. We will make sure to continue our good practice to support every student. 

To find out more about the Teaching Awards and browse nomination categories, please visit the Students’ Association’s website.