Seeing your name on your first publication can be an amazing feeling. I published my first work during my masters degree at the University of Denver and am excited to help some of our students succeed. During my time at Moray House, I’ve enjoyed collaborating with CEID students and alumni and found ways to increase these opportunities. Since we launched the MSc CEID programme, I’ve asked for volunteers to join me in a research group where we work together throughout the year to craft an academic publication. In this annually created research group, we work and learn together, discussing not just the specific content but research and publishing more generally. It is one of my favorite parts of my work – mixing teaching with research, while we get to know each other better. Over my first 6 years at the University of Edinburgh, I’ve been blessed by a talented, curious, and ambitious group of students. To date, I’ve co-authored 7 publications with a total of 10 different CEID students. Coming soon – in press or in process – are another 3 publications with 16 more CEID students. 

Will Smith connected during the December holidays with his research group members from the CEID class of 2024, Michael Patrick Cairney, Kolotina Halaifonua, Yangguang Guo, and their partners.

Already Published!

• Just published in Comparative Education with Huan Jiang and Xiao Xu (class of 2020) – ‘Where you place the stakes matter: examining the relationship between test-based accountability and shadow education’
  • We use multi-level modeling and draw from data from PISA, TIMSS, and UNESCO and find that where you place the stakes for test-based accountability is associated with participation in shadow education.
• Published in 2024 in International Review of Education with Adriana Susu, Ijaaz Jackaria, Johanna Bohorquez Martinez, Meihui Qu, and Misaki Niwa (class of 2023) – ‘Prioritization of indicators in SDG 4: Voluntary national reviews as a tool of soft governance’
  • We examine country Voluntary National Reviews between 2016 and 2022 to see how country reporting on SDG 4 reflects the soft governance mechanisms of the SDGs and find that governing by goals encourages participation but governing by numbers often leads to homogenous prioritization.
• Published in 2023 in European Journal of Education with Xiao Xu (class of 2020) – ‘Building public trust in national assessment: the example of China’s NAEQ’
  • We use documents from China’s Ministry of Education database to explore how the government has attempted to build trust in the country’s national assessment during its first 5 years of implementation. Findings indicate the assessment is linked to PISA, talked up as an an internationally respected assessment, while specifying it has been adapted to the Chinese context.
• Published in 2022 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Education with Boran Yu (class of 2021) – ‘The relationship between propositional teacher knowledge and classroom teaching practice: the case of Chinese novice mathematics teachers’
  • We use data from the 2018 TALIS and teacher interviews to explore the relationship between teachers’ propositional knowledge and their classroom teaching practice in Shanghai. Results suggest a collaborative context is important in transforming results from propositional knowledge into practical knowledge.
• Published in 2021 in International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Higher Education with Antonia Voigt (class of 2020) – ‘Inequalities in British university league tables: the Covid-19 pandemic and halo effects’
  • We use the halo effect as a framework to understand how the COVID pandemic might influence international higher education league tables. Focusing on the functions of internationalization, research, and teaching, we predict that the gap between top-tier and second-tier universities will widen.
• Published in 2021 as the final report for a Scottish Funding Council GCRF grant co-edited with Antonia Voigt and Yuxin Zhang (class of 2020) – ‘Barriers to Secondary Education in the Asia Pacific Region: A Scoping Review of Four Countries’
  • We collaborate with civil society, academia, and UNESCO Bangkok to explore the political, structural, economic, and cultural barriers to universal secondary education in Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Mongolia, and the Philippines.
• Published in 2021 in ‘Barriers to Secondary Education in the Asia Pacific Region: A Scoping Review of Four Countries’ with Antonia Voigt (class of 2020) – ‘Access and barriers to secondary education in the Asia Pacific region: an introduction
  • We introduce a framework to understand the barriers to educational access and use cross-national data from UIS to review trends in out of school rates across the Asia Pacific region.

Coming Soon from Last Year’s Research Group!

• In International Organisations Inside Out (edited Book) with Michael Patrick Cairney, Yuchen Liu, Kolotina Halaifonua, Dihang Shen, and Yangguang Guo (class of 2024) – ‘Evidence in evidence-based reports: an insider reflection on the 2017-2018 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report’
  • We use bibliometric analysis to help reflect on the creation of UNESCO’s 2017-2018 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report [which I helped lead]. We found that, sadly and despite the efforts of the GEM Report team, the report was a ‘report with evidence covering countries around the globe, not a report with evidence from around the globe’

 

Work Currently in Progress!

 

• Current Research Team of Xi Zhou, Puxin Zhao, Lilly Purich, Suyu Hu, Aiyue Zhang, Lexin Yuan, and Maia Madani Davies (class of 2025) & Fatih Aktas (CEID Faculty) – ‘The Global Testing Culture and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reversal or Reinforcement’
  • We are conducting a comparative analysis of media in Hong Kong and Singapore to examine how tests were discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this discourse rejects or reinforces the Global Testing Culture.
• Funded research project with Emily Goldstein (class of 2024), Rian Matsui (class of 2024), Juliana Sofia Riano (class of 2023), and Linjie Zhang (class of 2021) as well as Sarah Austin (CEID PhD, class of 2024) and CEID Research Group members and faculty, Fatih Aktas, Michael Gallagher, Andie Reynolds, and Daniel Shephard – ‘Access and Completion in Primary and Secondary Education: A Global Systematic Review’
  • We are conducting a global mixed methods systematic review exploring the barriers to primary and secondary education access and completion and the policies and interventions that help overcome the barriers.

 

Jun 5, 2025

Every year, the CEID masters cohort at Moray House travels to London to visit several organizations working in the comparative education and international development field. This year, the cohort visited the British Council offices, conversed with students and faculty at University College London, and heard from advocacy organizers at the Inter-parliamentary Network on Education and Results UK. Read on to hear from some of our CEID class of ‘25 students about their experiences from the trip! (Below: CEID class of ’25 visiting the education and international development faculty and students UCL)

Hallie Johnson: London was great fun! I was lucky to go a few days early to sightsee with a small group of friends from the cohort, which was ideal as there wasn’t much time for tourist-ing once we joined the full group for the organization visits. We wandered the city, visited museums, and enjoyed some incredible food in Chinatown.

After this trip, I feel that I have a much broader view of what a career in comparative education and international development could look like. A moment that helped to facilitate this discovery was our visit to University College London, where we were able to have in-depth discussions with four academics in our field (including our very own Will and Fatih!) and hear about their unique paths into academia. Each of them had a vastly different life story and career trajectory, each had different obstacles and defeats and redirections, and yet all have ended up in positions that allow them to make incredible contributions to our field. Hearing their stories and advice encouraged me and instilled in me that there is no right or wrong path in building a career in education and international development; the important thing is to take opportunities and be open to learning new things at any stage of your career.  

Olivia Rosso: I went into the London trip with the mindset that the organizations we were visiting did not really apply to my specific interests within the Comparative Education and International Development field, but I was definitely proved wrong! The British Council and Results UK/ Interparliamentary Network cover a range of educational topics and issue, so I really think these organizations had insight covering our entire cohort’s interests.  

As the CEID Program Representative, I also got to help plan our visit to University College London, which was an insightful experience. It was great to collaborate with student leaders from UCL completing a similar program to CEID and share ideas. The event went incredibly well, and I know that it was a highlight for many students.  

Even though we were just there for less than 48 hours, I left feeling more bonded to the cohort and our instructors who attended. Doing hours and hours of karaoke and navigating the busy London underground together are memories that I truly will never forget and made this experience such a highlight of the program so far.  

Zahra Prasetyo: After having spent three years during my undergraduate years in London, it was lovely to return with my new cohort in my new academic chapter! I went down the weekend before to spend some free time with friends from the cohort which was really fun. My local knowledge of the city paid off, that I was even named the ‘Dad’ of the group.

I really looked forward to the academic aspects of the trip, especially the event organised in collaboration with UCL. It gave us an informal insight and opportunity to network with others at a similar academic stage. Whilst it was inspiring to hear different stories and journeys, it was just as inspiring to hear about similarity in struggles and stresses. However, getting to speak to individuals from The British Council and Results UK/Interparliamentary Network was encouraging to understand different future pathways.  

The trip was a nice balance of academics and free time, as we sat down for a meal together at the end of the night and enjoyed karaoke! (Pictured above) Never underestimate how well your lecturers can sing and dance.  

Xi Zhou: CEID London field trip was truly an unforgettable and amazing experience. I had the opportunity to visit various organizations, including the British Council, UCL, and Results UK/Interparliamentary Network. Not only did I enjoy exploring these institutions, but I also loved spending time with my CEID cohort—it really feels like a big family.  We had dinner together, went to karaoke, singing with my cohort and lecturers made me sooooo happy. It brought us even closer. 

Beyond the fun, this trip also broadened my perspective. I gained insights into career opportunities of CEID. For example, I learned that the British Council isn’t just about IELTS—it also runs various education programs, such as higher education and informal learning initiatives, making it a fantastic career option.  Additionally, listening to teachers share their career journeys during UCL roundtable meetings was interesting and inspiring. It made me realize that life is full of possibilities and choices, it is important to stay open-minded and seize every small opportunity to develop our career. 

Puxin Zhao: The trip to London was a fulfilling, interesting, and memorable experience. I had a wonderful time with our cohort and instructors. One of the organisations we visited, the British Council (BC), is well-known in China. Besides organising IELTS exams, BC frequently appears in news articles and advertisements in China Daily. 

Through the visit, I learned more about BC, particularly its efforts to promote the spread of English and improve access to education. One of the staff members, Helen Etheridge, mentioned her experience teaching English in Chongqing, China. This was particularly interesting to me, as one of my favourite books, Rivertown, describes author Peter Hessler’s experiences teaching English in Fuling, Chongqing, from 1996 to 1998. After Helen’s presentation, I became more interested in learning about how English spreads to other parts of the world and how Chinese society appears through the eyes of an outsider. 

The trip was also very relaxing and enjoyable. I chatted with UCL students about their lives in the big city and the similarities and differences between our programs and universities. In karaoke, I found many talented singers. Although someone was too shy to sing, he still enjoyed the music and atmosphere very much:)! In a nutshell, thank you to everyone who contributed to the perfect trip. The shared experience made our community more unified and cohesive, and it will remain a cherished memory in my mind. 

Jinru Li: This London study trip was both fascinating and inspiring. As a city I’ve always adored, London’s charm shone even brighter during this immersive experience. Exploring its streets and navigating the Underground with CEID teachers and classmates turned everyday moments into cherished memories. (Above left: CEID ’25 visiting British Council)

The roundtable discussion at UCL left a profound impression on me. Listening to four scholars in our field share their career journeys and unique perspectives on entering academia was truly enlightening. Their stories reminded me that setbacks and imposter syndrome are natural parts of growth—what matters is believing in oneself and seizing future opportunities. 

My participation in events hosted by Results UK and the Interparliamentary Network further broadened my horizons, revealing the vast array of possibilities that lie ahead. Of course, London’s culinary delights were another highlight—the cookies from the British Council were simply the best I’ve ever tasted! I’m already planning my return. Next time, I’ll stay longer to finally catch a West End musical. London, I’ll be back! 

Mar 15, 2025

 

In between their busy class schedules, CEID students Jon Hudson and Lilly Purich embarked on a quest to find the best hot cocoa in Edinburgh. Utilizing a criteria system informed by their excellent research skills, (thanks, CEID!) they created this guide to help the CEID community find their perfect cup of cocoa. (Right: Jon and Lilly in front of The Marshmallow Lady café)

“Our first and foremost priority was assessing the overall experience and quality of the hot chocolate itself,” Jon and Lilly said. “However, in evaluating the presentation, we also considered toppings (marshmallow, whipped cream, flake, etc.) and container (mug, to-go cup, etc.). To aid in your wintery adventures, our notes include other benefits such as location, affordability, and additional wow-factors.”

Mary’s Milk Bar (Overall score: 8/15) (Pictured above)

Flavor: 2/5, presentation: 2/5, price: 4/5

“Mary’s Milk Bar is primarily known for their gelato, not their hot cocoa. Nevertheless, we couldn’t pass up on trying this limited-time festive special. Unfortunately, the incredible gelato outshines the flavor of the cocoa– a standard powder mix. The price is affordable, but the presentation is not much to write home about in comparison to our other venues. The shop in a touristy location (Grassmarket) near the main campus, and lacks indoor seating. While it is the lowest on our list in terms of cocoa, you CANNOT skip out on their gelato.”

Knoops (Overall score: 11/15)

Flavor: 5/5, presentation: 3/5, price: 3/5 

“Knoops is a UK chain that has two locations in Edinburgh — one in Old Town (Victoria Street) and one in New Town (George Street). The sky is truly the limit when it comes to their hot chocolate options. You are able to customize the cocoa (down to the percentage), flavors (such as mint, orange, and vanilla), milk options, and medium (hot or iced). We took advantage of the novelty by trying these drinks iced. Price is fair considering the quality, and can change depending on your choices. Seating varies by location — you have better luck on George St.. Presentation is standard for a coffee shop, but nice. We had ours with their homemade marshmallow, though it wasn’t toasted. Overall, it was good, but we weren’t blown away.”

Uplands Roast (Overall score: 13/15)

Flavor: 3/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 5/5 

“Conveniently located at The Meadows, Upland Roast is a food truck frequented by Edinburgh uni students at the main campus. Its location makes it ideal for meeting friends, taking a study break, or catching some fresh air. Presentation is undeniably ‘gram-worthy, as the cocoa comes topped with a toasted marshmallow, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate flakes, and cinnamon. Unfortunately, a majority of the flavor is held in these toppings. The Meadows makes for an excellent backdrop and includes outdoor seating, and the affordable price definitely makes it worthwhile. As a uni student, you can’t pass up this delicious and affordable treat.”

The Marshmallow Lady (Overall score: 13/15)

Flavor: 4/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 4/5 

“This venue is by far the most experiential on our list. Marshmallow Lady is a small, local business that specializes in large homemade marshmallows that are available in a wide variety of flavors. These include churro, passionfruit, mint, vanilla bean, s’mores, whiskey, Irn Bru (a Scottish classic), and more. In addition to a marshmallow of your choosing, your beverage comes topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes. The cozy atmosphere is complemented by the ability to watch the staff prepare your cocoa and roast your marshmallow right before your eyes. If you’re lucky enough to sit-in, your cocoa will come in a massive, adorable, festive mug. The trade-off for this decadence is a 30-minute walk from main campus — making this a bit of a time commitment. While this is the most expensive on our list, we feel the quality and presentation are more than covered by the price.”

Moo Pie Gelato (14.5/15)

Flavor: 5/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 4.5/5 

“Our final venue is conveniently located on St Mary’s Street, just around the corner from Moray House. While not as many as Knoops, you have five varieties of hot cocoa available to you — including milk, dark, milk + dark, and malted(!!!). Lilly tried the malted and can assure you it tastes like Maltesers. Their homemade vegetarian marshmallow fluff is an additional £1, but it’s a must-have. The fluff is piped on the top of the drink and toasted, adding a s’more-like quality to every sip. The cocoa is rich, and will definitely fill you up, meaning the quantity you get for the price is more than enough. What sets Moo Pie Gelato apart here at the top of our list is the combination of decadent hot chocolate, delicious fluff, and unique presentation. With its affordable price and stellar location, you’ll find you quickly become a repeat customer.”

“We had a lot of fun running around Edinburgh trying these fantastic hot cocoa venues. They’re each worthy of a visit. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the places you can acquire a cozy, sweet treat — so by all means, explore when you can and enjoy some window shopping. We hope this short guide inspires you to experiment with your routine and see all the city has to offer. We hope you enjoy the hot chocolate as much as we did!” 

 

Feb 25, 2025