Dr Ning Zhang
Program Director
School of Humanities
College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities
Dr Ning Zhang is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies, Program Director for the legacy Master of Arts (Interpreting, Translation and Transcultural Communication), and Acting Program Director for the legacy Bachelor of Languages and the Diploma in Languages in the School of Humanities.
Dr Zhang has held long-term, significant leadership roles within the university and the community, including Deputy Dean (International, Faculty of Arts, University of Adelaide, 2020-2022), Associate Head (International, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics, University of Adelaide, 2023-2025), Head of Department (Asian Studies, 2024–2025), and Program Director (Master of Arts (Interpreting, Translating and Transcultural Communication), 2016–present).
Dr Zhang served as a Member of the Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, South Australia (SAMEAC, 2018–2021); President of the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women SA (2013–2015); and Ambassador of the OzAsia Festival, South Australia (2009–2026). She has made valuable contributions to Chinese language teaching and curriculum in South Australian secondary education in a leading role (2013–present). She is a NAATI-certified interpreter and translator (English<->Chinese).
Dr Zhang’s research interests focus on Australian higher education, including innovative curriculum design and the development of learning resources for second-language learning, cross-cultural communication, and translation studies and skills training. Dr Zhang also researches education policy changes in China.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Program director | Adelaide University |
| 2023 - ongoing | Lead Practitioner | SACE Board SA |
| 2023 - 2025 | Associate Head (International) | University of Adelaide |
| 2020 - 2022 | Deputy Dean (International) | University of Adelaide |
| 2018 - 2021 | Member | Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, South Australia |
| 2017 - 2023 | Director | University of Adelaide |
| 2016 - 2025 | Program Director | University of Adelaide |
| 2007 - 2017 | Deputy Director | University of Adelaide |
| 1993 - 2008 | Member | Subject Advisory Committee (Mandarin Chinese), SSABSA |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 - 2005 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| 1994 - 1995 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Graduate Diploma in Education |
| 1985 - 1987 | University of Queensland | Australia | Master of Educational Studies |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | NAATI Certified Translator | National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. | Australia |
| 1989 | NAATI Certified Interpreter | National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters | Australia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 斯卡瑞诺., 里迪克特., & 崔嵘. (2010). 语言的教与学发展指南. |
| 2009 | Zhang, N. (2009). Underpinning China's economic growth: A study of urban secondary Vocational and Technical Education 1978 - 2000. USA: Verlag Dr. Muller. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Zhang, N. (2006). The Philosophy of Vocational Education and Its Practice in Australia. In Z. Jiaoyu, & J. Yanjiu (Eds.), Studies of fundamental Issues on Vocational Education (1 ed., pp. 184-204). China: Educational Science Press, Beijing. |
| 2006 | Zhang, N. (2006). The Philosophy of Vocational Education and Its Practice in Australia. In H. Ouyang (Ed.), Studies of Fundamental Issues on Vocational Education (职业教育基本问题研究) (pp. 184-204). Beijing: Educational Science Press. |
| 1992 | Zhang, N. (1992). A Conflict of Interests: Current Problems in Educational Reform. In A. Watson (Ed.), Economic Reform and Social Change in China (1st ed., pp. 144-170). London: Routledge. |
| 1992 | Zhang, N., & Chan, S. (1992). Teaching Chinese to Background Students at the University of Adelaide. In K. Louie (Ed.), New Developments in Chinese Language Teaching and Teacher Training. Australia: Asialink & Key Centre for Asian Languages and Studies. |
Dr Ning Zhang is an education specialist and leader in Chinese language teaching, translation studies and training, and curriculum design. With extensive experience teaching domestic and international students in Australian higher education, she applies pedagogical expertise, academic leadership, and curriculum innovation to language and translation education. She has extensive experience developing and reviewing undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with a focus on student-centred, authentic learning and on enhancing students’ academic, linguistic, intercultural communication, and employability skills. Her current teaching portfolio comprises a Chinese language course, an advanced English–Chinese translation course, and a translation internship. In these settings, she helps students develop language proficiency and translation skills while linking classroom learning to real-world communication, cultural understanding, and professional contexts.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Co-Supervisor | Apropos of ideology: a critique of relevance on official Chinese to English translation of government and party documents | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Mr Ningfei Dang |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2014 | Co-Supervisor | The Effectiveness and Appropriateness of the Use of Contemporary Chinese Popular Literature in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language: An Emperical Study in an Australian University Setting | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Xiuming Chen |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 - 2021 | Member | Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, South Australia (SAMEAC) | Department of the Premier and Cabinet | Australia |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 - 2015 | President | Asia Pacific Business Council for Women SA | Asia Pacific Business Council for Women SA | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Representative | Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) | Australia |
| 2017 - ongoing | Member | Language and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU) | Australia |
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2026 | Ambassador | Public Community Engagement | OzAsia Festival, South Australia | Australia |
| Date | Event Name | Event Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2021 | 2021 Chinese Language Teachers Association SA Annual State Conference | Conference | Chinese Language Teachers Association South Australia | Australia |
| 2018 - 2018 | Cultural Musing: Chinese in Adelaide and the World | Symposium | University Collections and the SA Migration Museum | Australia |
| 2001 - 2001 | Trends for development of VET in Asia” (Panel discussion) | Conference | UNESCO International Program for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Asia Pacific Conference | Australia |
| Date | Topic | Presented at | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 2024 | Developing Chinese International Students' Intercultural Competence through Learning Activities | 8th Biennial Colloquium of the Languages & Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU) | University of Sydney | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | The Complexities and Challenges of Chinese Classrooms in Australia | 2022 CLTASA State Conference | Chinese Language Teachers Association South Australia | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | Maintaining the Bridge: Innovation in Education and Cultural Exchange | Australia-China Emerging Leaders Summit (ACELS 13): Bridging the Gap, Panel 5 | Australia-China Youth Association | Australia |
| 2019 - 2019 | Chinese Language Education in the Age of Globalisation and Diversity | The 2019 Conference on Chinese Language Education in the South Pacific | The University of the South Pacific, Suva | Fiji |
| 2016 - 2016 | Promoting understanding and exchange of Chinese culture and arts to the SA communities | AAPPAC Conference | Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC), Adelaide Festival Centre | Australia |
| 2010 - 2010 | Chinese language courses for Chinese background speakers | 2nd Asia-Pacific Symposium on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign language, Seoul | Asia-Pacific Symposium | Korea, Republic of |
| 2007 - 2007 | Vocational or General? The Choice of School-based Vocational Education in the Market Economy in Urban China | International Conference on East West Studies | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 2007 - 2007 | Social Perspectives on Vocational and Technical School Education in Urban China: from Post-Mao to the 21st Century | 10th Biennial Conference of Chinese Studies Association of Australia | University of Queensland | Australia |
| Date | Title | Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 - 2007 | Education and Social Change in China: Inequality in a Market Economy | Journal Review | The China Journal | - |
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