‘My Thesis Defence Was a Lively Discussion’

Photo courtesy of Han Zhang

Han Zhang, from China, has worked at the International Laboratory for Evaluation of Practices and Innovations in Education at HSE University-Moscow since 2023. In October 2024, she successfully defended her PhD thesis on the relationship between collaborative peer editing and the quality of academic writing in a second language. She spoke with the HSE News Service about why she chose to join HSE University and how her research can be used to improve student writing performance.

Han Zhang

— Tell us a little about yourself.

— My name is Han Zhang, and I am from China. My hometown is the capital city of Shandong Province, which is close to Beijing. I am 27 years old, and I completed my undergraduate studies in China. To gain a more systematic understanding of education and to master practical skills, I chose Education as my master’s programme, completing it in the UK.

— How did you end up at HSE Moscow?

— Since completing my master’s programme in the UK, I have developed a strong appreciation for the overseas educational system. When choosing my next school, a friend of mine, Ruoqi, who was a student at the HSE Institute of Education, introduced me to this programme and gave me several recommendations.

I learned online that HSE University has robust teaching resources and brings together renowned professors and scholars from around the world to conduct research

Additionally, the university admits outstanding international students through rigorous competition and a strict screening process.

— What are your research interests?

— My research interests include understanding and exploring ways to improve the student learning experience and performance, with a specific focus on peer interaction and collaborative learning in both online and offline contexts. My PhD topic analyses how different online peer editing behaviours affect student writing performance in both the short and long term. This topic is worth investigating because peer editing is recognised as an effective method for enhancing linguistic and writing skills, such as increasing audience awareness, fostering reflective thinking, refining sentence structures and discourse, and supporting collaborative review and application of acquired knowledge.

I hope my study will provide teachers and instructional designers who plan to use peer editing as a pedagogical method with suggestions on how to conduct peer interaction to maximise the benefits for student writing

Photo courtesy of Han Zhang

— What are the main conclusions of your research?

— This study examined how different online peer editing behaviours impact student writing improvement, using a pre- and post-test approach to assess the effects of comments and track changes. Results showed that comments were linked to long-term writing improvement, while track changes contributed to short-term gains, with both peer editing behaviours overall enhancing student writing.

— How did the defence go?

— It went well. The atmosphere of the discussion was very lively, and I received many invaluable questions and suggestions. Moreover, my parents attended my defence, which made it even more meaningful.

— How is living and working in Moscow?

— Although I haven’t spent much time in Moscow due to the pandemic and other complex factors, I thoroughly enjoy each visit. Aside from the language barrier, I am always impressed by the city’s unique culture, architecture, and atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of Han Zhang

I really appreciate Moscow’s culture, stunning architecture, and rich history, which make each visit memorable.

HSE University is also impressive—its strong academic community and focus on innovative research create a stimulating environment for learning.

While I haven’t had much time in the city, I’ve managed to visit a few iconic places like Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin, and I hope to explore more of the city’s attractions in the future.

— How is your Russian? How do you cope in everyday life?

— Unfortunately, my Russian is still at a beginner level, and daily communication between me and my team member is in English, so communication with the local people is challenging. However, I manage by using translation apps and picking up common phrases for everyday situations. The girls in my lab always help me translate, which I really appreciate, and this support has made it easier to adapt.

— What's next for your research?

— Next in my research pipeline, I plan to dive deeper into analysing how peer feedback dynamics affect long-term learning outcomes across different educational settings. I’m particularly interested in exploring how feedback type and implementation impact writing skills over time. At the International Laboratory for Evaluation of Practices and Innovations in Education, I am also working on collaborative projects that assess innovative educational practices, focusing on their effectiveness in diverse learning environments. This experience is enriching my understanding of cross-cultural educational practices and evidence-based teaching methods.