Qi Sun
Qi Sun, EdD
Professor of Adult & Continuing Education & Adult & Continuing Education Programs Coordinator
Greetings! My name is Qi (pronounced Chi or Chee) Sun. I have been at UT Knoxville for 10 years, serving as Program Coordinator and faculty member, developing and directing the programs. Before that, I worked at the University of Wyoming as a faculty member and program coordinator. I hold a master’s degree in international and comparative education from Beijing Normal University, China, and a doctorate in adult and higher education, with a focus on educational leadership and policy studies, from Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Before becoming a professor in higher education, I served as an administrator at NIU’s branch campus and in the Adult Education Department of China’s Ministry of Education. In my previous positions, I contributed to several national and international research projects aimed at developing policies, theories, and practical solutions in adult education. I also collaborated with renowned international organizations, including UNESCO and UNFPA, as well as educational research institutions in countries such as Germany’s DVV and Thailand’s IPST.
My research interests include adult and lifelong learning, international & comparative education, Confucian educational philosophy, Asian diasporas and cross-cultural learning and teaching, and online education. I have conducted extensive research and have been widely published in top journals with high impact factors, such as AEQ, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, International Journal of Lifelong Education, Distance Education, Journal of Transformative Education, and Asia Pacific Education Review.
As a bilingual scholar familiar with two cultures, I have dedicated myself to bridging the gaps between the East and West through research, teaching, and leadership services in professional organizations. I advocate for learning from each other among global communities, not only from the West but also from the Rest. Learning from others helps us integrate invaluable human wisdom from elsewhere to improve our theories and practice. Through my research and teaching, I call for education and learning to promote not only lifelong learners but also life-wide learners, foster not only national citizens but also global citizens, who should strive to become holistically developed persons to sustain their capacity building for the globalized world.
I have been actively engaging and serving our professional communities, including our program, department, University, and professional organizations to which I belong. In research, I’ve been the Co-Editor of Adult Education Quarterly (AEQ) for five years and co-chaired the Steering Committee of the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC). I am the founder and Chair of the Asian Adult Education (AAE) Preconference (Formerly the Asian Diaspora Preconference) of the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC).
I also serve on journals’ Review Boards, including AEQ, Adult Learning, Journal of Transformative Education, Comparative Education Review, Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal, and other journals in our field. I’ve served as a Guest Editor of multiple journals’ Special Issues, including Convergence, New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, and Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal. These diverse experiences enable me to continually learn and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, particularly in the current era of international education, which supports my research, teaching, and services at home.
My professional leadership and service improve my teaching by keeping me informed with current knowledge and skills, enabling me to engage learners more effectively. My role is to help each learner successfully reach their learning goals.
Honors
Awards and Honors
Sun, Q., Nominee, 2026 Imogene Okes Award for Outstanding Research in Adult Education, the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE).
Sun, Q., 2024, Recipient, Commission for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Research Award, Chancellor’s Honors, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Sun, Qi, 2023, Recipient, Mid-Career Award, Commission for Professor of Adult Education, AAACE, for her significant contributions to scholarship and service to the field.
Sun, Qi, 2022, Recipient, Imogene Okes Award for Outstanding Research in Adult Education, the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE).
Sun, Qi. 2022 Recipient for Leadership Acceleration and Development for Rising Stars (LADRS), Office of the Provost, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Sun, Qi, 2022, Recipient, Excellence in Graduate Advising Award, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Sun, Qi, 2021, Recipient, Excellence in Graduate Student Mentorship Award, EPC, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Publications
Recent Publications (*with students)
*Zhou, Y., Wan, Q., & Sun, Q. (in review). From Confusion to Assurance: First-Time Academic Mothers’ Use of Social Media to Learn to Face Life Transitions.
Sun, Q., Pan, M., & Guo, W. (in review). Applying Adult Learning Theories to Manufacturing Workforce Training: Proposing a System Model.
Tran, N., Tran, L., Sun, Q., & Pham, H. (Eds.) (in press 2027). Educating for the Asian Century: University work-based learning initiatives for a future-ready workforce. Higher Education Skills and Work-Based Learning. Emerald.
Sun, Q., Wang, Q., & Zhou, Y. (In Press). Developing a lifelong learning system in China: Adult learners and adult education in the changing landscapes. Palgrave International Handbook on Adult and Lifelong Education and Learning, 2nd edition. Springer.
Sun, Q., Xi, L., & Zhang, X. (2026). A tri-ethnographic study of Asian and Asian diaspora transformative learning journeys in the U.S.: Toward the development of international scholars. Journal of Transformative Education. Online First. 1-20. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15413446261430548
Sun, Q. (2024). Reviewed: Cui, D. (2023). Identity and belonging among Chinese Canadian youth: Racialized habitus in school, family, and media. Routledge. Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal, 9(2). R1853.
Sun, Q., Kang, H., & Lin, X. (2024). Editorial adult and continuing education research and practice: Voices from Asians and Asian diasporas. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Online first, 2024(182-183). 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20529
Sun, Q., Lin, X., &., Zhang, X., & Rui, R. (2024). Situated learning for community engagement: Chinese and Chinese Americans transformative action combating the U.S. anti-AAPI in the context of the politicalized COVID-19 pandemic. Adult Education Quarterly. Online first 1-20. DOI: 10.1177/07417136241246737
*Jiang, S., Sun, Q., & Lin, X. (2024). Analyzing Chinese international students’ critical thinking skills: A systematic literature review. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. 2024(182-183). Online first.
*Devol, T., Sun, Q. (2024). Paying attention: Female ADHD students learning in graduate school. Adult Education Quarterly. 74(2) 112-131. https://doi.org/10.1177/07417136231217473
*Giffin, A., Sun, Q., & Glowacki-Dudka, M. (2023). Empowering Adult Sexual Assault Survivors in Higher Education through Emancipatory Learning and Feminist Pedagogy. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. 2023(180), 89-100.
Lin, X., Sun, Q., & Zhang, X. (2023). Increasing student online interactions: Applying the video timeline-anchored comment (VTC) tool to asynchronous online video discussions, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2023.2247554
Lin, X., & Sun, Q. (2023). Student‐generated memes as a way to facilitate online discussion for adult learners. Psychology in the Schools, Open access, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22884.
Lin, X., & Sun, Q. (2022). Discussion activities in asynchronous online learning: Motivating adult learners’ interactions. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education. Published online 14 Nov 2022 https://doi.org/10.1080/07377363.2022.2119803
Lin, X., Sun, Q., & Zhang, X. (2023). Integrating video timeline-anchored comments in asynchronous online video-based presentation lectures: Using Canvas Studio as an example. In Guralnick, D., Auer, M.E., & Poce, A. (Eds.), Innovative Approaches to Technology-Enhanced Learning for the Workplace and Higher Education (pp. 522-531). TLIC 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Vol. 581. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21569-8_49 Online ISBN978-3-031-21569-8
Sun, Q., & Yuan, D. (2023). The evolution of lifelong education in China: A policy perspective. In Karen Evans, Wing-On Lee, Jörg Markowitsch, & Miriam Zukas (Eds.), Third International Handbooks of Lifelong Learning (Section Two, Chapter 10). Springer. eBook ISBN 9783031195921; Print ISBN 9783031195914
Sun, Q., & Kang, H. (2022). Learning through academic collaborations in/with the East: North American adult education scholars’ insights. Adult Education Quarterly. 72(1), 3-23. DOI: 10.1177/07417136211050119
*Delgado, R. K. G., & Sun, Q. (2022). Challenges, Changes, and Choices: Immigrant Academics of Color in American Academia. Adult Learning, 33(3), 114-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045159521997583
Sun, Q., & Roumell, E. A. (2021). Bridging adult education between East and West. In Jost Reischmann (Ed.), Essential readings in international and comparative adult education (pp. 222-234). International Society for Comparative Adult Education Publications, Ziel.
Lin. X., Sun, Q., & *Zhang, X. (2021). Using learners’ self-generated quizzes in online courses. Distance Education, 42(3), 391-409, DOI: 10.1080/01587919.2021.1956303
Roumell, E. A., Bian, X., & Sun, Q. (2020). Noetic dispositions: A model for intellectual excellence. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 39(3), 291-304. DOI: 10.1080/02601370.2020.1779833
Kang, H., Sun, Q., & Lv, L. (2020). Learning to transform through interplay between the Confucian and Western cultural heritages: A case study of school leadership development in Beijing, China. Journal of Transformative Education, 18(2). 163-182. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344619877166
Sun, Q., & Scull, R. (2019). Confucian epistemology and its implications for teacher education. In K. T. Han & J. Laughter (Eds.), Critical race theory in teacher education: Informing classroom culture and practice (pp. 147-156). New York: Teachers College Press.
Sun, Q., Kang, H., Chang, B., & *Lausch, D. (2019). Teaching international students from Confucian heritage culture countries: Perspectives from three US host campuses. Asia Pacific Education Review, 20, 559-572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-019-09604-1.
Sun, Q., & Chang, B. (2019). The 40 years’ evolution of the Chinese adult and continuing education. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. 162, 11-23. First Published Online 18 June 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20322
Sun, Q., & Kang, H. (2019). Themes and implications of the new vistas of adult and continuing education for change in Asian context. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. 162, pp. 139-152. First Published 18 June 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20332
English, L. M, Gleiman, A., Hansman, C. A., Sun, Q., & Zacharakis, J. (2019). Editing AEQ: Reflections on the editorial role. Adult Education Quarterly, 69(4), 338-347.
Sun, Q. (2019). Eastern thoughts, Western practices: Meditation and mindfulness relaxation activities for learning and well-being in adult and higher education. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 161, 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20310
Sun, Q. (2019). Conspiring to change the learning environment for adult learners in higher education. Adult Learning, 30(2), 89-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045159519834959