People
Find out more about the people that make up the Confucius Institute.
Dr Deljana Iossifova
Director
Deljana is a Senior Lecturer in Urban Studies and joined the CI in 2017. Having spent a significant time living and working in China, she aims to make the CI a resource for everyone wishing to learn more about the Chinese language and culture.
Dr Hui Zhang
Chinese Director
Hui Zhang is Associate Professor in teaching Chinese as a second language at the School of Chinese Language & Culture at Beijing Normal University and joined the CI in Jan 2020. He has extensive Chinese language teaching experience overseas with profound classical Chinese language knowledge. In his last post at San Francisco CI he played an integral role in developing the HSK online testing platform that has now been rolled out world-wide.
Ms Karen Wang
Deputy Director
Karen moved from China to the UK in 1996. She oversaw the administrative operation of the first overseas degree programme in Singapore and currently contributes to the strategic direction and operational priorities of the Manchester CI.
Ms Lucy Yang
Senior Language Tutor and Teaching Co-ordinator
A Senior Language Tutor and Teaching Coordinator at the Manchester CI, Lucy has been teaching Mandarin for over 10 years in China and the UK, sharing her expertise with Mandarin teachers from various UK CIs. Her research focuses on Mandarin pedagogy in the UK, teacher training and classroom ICT use.
Miss Tabea Heckrodt
Events and Marketing Officer
Tabea manages and delivers an annual calendar of external engagement projects and initiatives. Other key areas are internal and external communications and the institute's digital presence.
Katie Ainscough
Engagement Officer
Email: katie.ainscough@manchester.ac.uk
Katie joined the CI in June 2019 as our Engagement Officer. She is responsible for developing and implementing the digital engagement strategy and making effective use of e-newsletter and social media to reach out to users and promote CI activities.
Mrs Hayley Teixeira-Roxburgh
Support Officer
Hayley has worked at the University since 2011 and the CI since 2014. As the Administrative Officer, her main role is to organise Mandarin course registrations, HSK and YCT exams and cultural workshops, as well as general duties in the day-to-day life of the CI.
Sijia Li (Scarlett)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: scarlett22668@hotmail.com
Originally from Inner Mongolia, Scarlett has been teaching Mandarin at the CI since October 2021. Her research focuses on teaching methodology and she enjoys writing Chinese calligraphy.
Yan Xinru (Lucia)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: yanxinru1997@outlook.com
Lucia comes from Nanjing, a beautiful city in southeast China. Lucia joined the CI in September 2021. Her research focuses on Chinese teaching strategy and cognitive linguistics. She also likes Chinese painting.
Yubo Liu (Rosita)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: rosita1356032673@outlook.com
Rosita comes from Xi’an, a time-honoured city which is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. Rosita joined the CI in September 2021. Her research focuses on online classroom activity organization and class management.
Zirui Zhang (Lynn)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: zhangziruiiii@hotmail.com
Lynn joined the CI in September 2021. She comes from Sichuan province, a place famous for hot pot and pandas. Her research focuses on teaching methodology and online teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, playing the piano and Guzheng.
Luzi Zhang (Jessica)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: zhangluzzz@hotmail.com
Jessica comes from Yinchuan, a city in northwest China and the capital of the Xixia Dynasty in historic times. Jessica joined the CI in September 2021. Her research focuses on Chinese teaching methodology.
Yu Danqu（Emma)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: yudanqu123@gmail.com
Originally from Hubei, Emma joined the CI in September 2021. Her major is linguistic and applied linguistic. She is also proficient in Chinese classical dance and Tai Chi.
Ren Yuxuan (Ryan)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: RyanInFun1998@outlook.com
Ryan joined the CI in September 2021. She grew up in Shanxi by the Yellow River. Her research focuses on teaching methodology and the medium of instruction.
Qing Chen (Megan)
Chinese Language Tutor
Email: YCCQ9616@gmail.com
Megan joined the CI in September 2021. She comes from Jiangsu. With a strong interest in different cultures, she is committed to foster intercultural understanding and communication.