Edge Hill University expert delivers talk on AI at global language conference in Beijing
Professor Mark Schofield, Dean of Teaching and Learning Development at Edge Hill University, has delivered a high-profile keynote address on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence at the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.
The conference, which attracted 3,000 delegates including senior members of the Chinese Government, the Ministry of Education (China’s) and international academic leaders, focused on the evolving impact of AI on global language education.
Professor Schofield’s keynote speech, titled The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Chinese Language Teaching: Creating ‘Cognitive Space’ for Busy Teachers tackled a critical challenge: how technology can support educators rather than replace them.
His speech was highlighted by China’s national press for its practical approach and focus on enhancing the student experience.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Schofield said: “This was a great opportunity to represent Edge Hill University and to showcase aspects of our work with AI in teaching and learning to a global audience of vice chancellors, government officials and academics.
Professor Schofield is a regular contributor to this global dialogue, having been invited to deliver keynotes at the conference several times over the last decade. His previous work has focused on quality assurance, online learning and teaching excellence across global Confucius Institutes.
This year, his “stand out” speech and engaging delivery style led to a feature interview with China Daily, one of the world’s largest English-language news outlets.
Find out more about Edge Hill’s Centre for Learning and Teaching.
Centre for Sports Law Research supports major European project to strengthen athlete rights
The Centre of Sports Law Research at Edge Hill University is proud to be working with Athletes for Good Governance and Rights in Europe (AGREE) and the project’s first major report.
AGREE aims to improve understanding of social dialogue in sport, support the use of collective bargaining and develop European minimum standards for athlete employment and welfare.
Professor Jay Cullen, Head of School of Law and Criminal Justice, said: “This is an excellent example of research making a real difference.
“The AGREE project shows how legal scholarship can help shape fairer, more sustainable systems in sport, and we are delighted that colleagues from the School of Law and Criminal Justice are playing such a central role in work that supports athlete rights and good governance at a European level.”
The project’s first report, on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) in European Sport was written by Edge Hill’s Dr Andrea Cattaneo, Senior Lecturer in Law, and has just been published.
Dr Cattaneo provides a detailed analysis of how athlete employment is regulated across five countries – Finland, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the UK – and how collective agreements shape working conditions. He also demonstrates that negotiated agreements can strengthen governance by providing a structured, legally sound framework aligned with EU labour and competition law.
AGREE’s next steps include job-shadowing exchanges between players’ unions, the development of European minimum standards for athlete rights, and the preparation of practical guidance to support collective bargaining in sport. A final report will be published in 2027.
The Centre’s involvement reflects the team’s recognised expertise in sports law and their longstanding contribution to European debates on athlete rights and governance.
Read the full report here: Athletes for Good Governance and Rights in Europe – CBA REPORT
Edge Hill University hosts Annual Primary Care Conference 2026
The Medical School was pleased to welcome medical students, academics and professionals for the ‘Primary Care Future: Shaping the Undergraduate Experience’ conference.
The one-day conference provided a day full of networking, keynote talks and interactive workshops, with speakers including Professor Hugh Alberti, Head of Primary Care Teaching at Newcastle University, and Professor Andy Knox MBE, GP partner and Interim Medical Director of Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB.
Tina Finney, Senior Lecturer in General Practice said:
“Hosting the Annual Primary Care Conference provides a vital platform for us to align undergraduate medical education with the evolving needs of the NHS.
“By bringing together visionary leaders like Professor Hugh Alberti and Professor Andy Knox MBE, we are ensuring that our students are not only prepared for the challenges of primary care but are actively equipped to lead and innovate within the community care workforce of the future.”
The event explored how undergraduate primary care teaching can support NHS long-term strategy by helping to shape the future of the primary care workforce and strengthen community care.
January 30, 2026
