Overview
Background
Learning a foreign language is hard. Studying overseas in a foreign language is even harder!
Universities in Australia have up to 40% international students, that's 400,000+ students and makes up a significant portion of the Australian economy. These students face immense struggles adapting to Australian culture, language and education style. Without help, these students get lost in the complexities of higher-education and cannot successfully graduate.
Shaun's work involves developing innovative solutions with partner universities across the greater Asian regions though contextualised development programs, workshops that highlight modern teaching, and assisting students in acclimatising to their study-life in Australia. Shaun works heavily with China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Availability
- Dr Shaun Chen is:
- Not available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Engineering, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Engineering Education
- Effective Teamwork in Engineering Classrooms - Project-Based Learning - Engaging First-Year Engineering Students - Transitioning International Students to Australian Education Systems - Pedagogical and Cultural Differences between Australia and Asian Education
Research impacts
Shaun's research into transitional barriers for international students has led to design and implementation of contextualised English language support in large-scale engineering design courses (1000+ students) as well as creating a post-entry language assessment instrument used as a diagnostic to benchmark all undergraduate engineering students at UQ.
Shaun's output now involves him travelling across greater Asia to deliver bridging academic workshops for articulation pathway students, bringing support structures to students' home countries, and educating partner institutions on western teaching pedagogy.
Works
Search Professor Shaun Chen’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Conference Publication
Why is teamwork so hard to teach well at university?
Coulter, Beverly, Birkett, Greg, Boden, Marie, Chen, Shaun, Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira, Fred, Fleming, Melanie, Hickman, Mark and Hope Borchardt, Lilly (2023). Why is teamwork so hard to teach well at university?. 34th Australasian Association For Engineering Education Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 3-6 December 2023.
2021
Other Outputs
Maximising the Success of International Students in First-Year Engineering
Chen, Shaun (2021). Maximising the Success of International Students in First-Year Engineering. PhD Thesis, School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/55f7bfb
2021
Conference Publication
Industry field trips: educator and student perspectives
Coulter, Beverly, Heynen, Tony and Chen, Shaun (2021). Industry field trips: educator and student perspectives. 9th Research in Engineering Education Symposium and 32nd Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference (REES AAEE 2021), Perth, WA, Australia, 5-8 December 2021. Research in Engineering Education Network. doi: 10.52202/066488-0142
2016
Conference Publication
Pedagogical differences in engineering education at Taiwanese and Australian universities
Chen, Shaun and Kavanagh, Lydia (2016). Pedagogical differences in engineering education at Taiwanese and Australian universities. 27th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia, 4-7 December 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Pedagogical differences in Engineering Education at Taiwanese and Australian universities
Chen, Shaun and Kavanagh, Lydia (2016). Pedagogical differences in Engineering Education at Taiwanese and Australian universities. Australasain Assoication for Engineering Education (AAEE2016), Coffs Harbour, Australia, 4-7 December 2016.
2015
Conference Publication
Using a contextualised English support programme to assist international engineering students
Chen, Shaun, Kavanagh, Lydia, Reidsema, Carl and Gollagher, Susan (2015). Using a contextualised English support programme to assist international engineering students. 26th Conference of the Australasian Associate for Engineering Education, Geelong, VIC Australia, 6-9 December 2015. Geelong, VIC Australia: School of Engineering, Deakin University.
2014
Conference Publication
Peer assessment barriers faced by international students engaging in project-based courses
Chen, Shaun and Kavanagh, Lydia (2014). Peer assessment barriers faced by international students engaging in project-based courses. 25th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, Wellington, New Zealand, 8-10 December 2014. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University.
2013
Conference Publication
Identification of issues faced by international students in first year project-based engineering classes
Chen, Shaun and Kavanagh, Lydia (2013). Identification of issues faced by international students in first year project-based engineering classes. AAEE 2013: 24th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 8-11 December, 2013. Nathan, QLD, Australia: Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University.
2012
Journal Article
Simultaneous size and zet-potential measurements of individual nanoparticles in dispersion using size-tunable pore sensors
Kozak, Darby, Anderson, Will, Vogel, Robert, Chen, Shaun, Antaw, Fiach and Trau, Matt (2012). Simultaneous size and zet-potential measurements of individual nanoparticles in dispersion using size-tunable pore sensors. Acs Nano, 6 (8), 6990-6997. doi: 10.1021/nn3020322
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Shaun Chen's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: