Dr. Pengfei Zhao, DISE, Appointed Academic Director for Global Engagement

The Faculty of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Pengfei Zhao, from the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), as the Academic Director for Global Engagement.

This newly established role reflects the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to strengthening international academic partnerships and supporting collaborative research and teaching across borders. As Academic Director, Dr. Zhao will help shape the direction of the Office of Global Engagement and support Faculty-wide efforts to build and maintain meaningful global connections.

For more than 150 years, the McGill Faculty of Education has contributed to innovation in education and human development, both locally and globally. With the work of its researchers, educators, and students, the Faculty plays an active role in advancing approaches to education in collaboration with governments, schools, and institutions around the world. This new role continues that legacy by coordinating efforts to expand and deepen international engagement.

In her new role, Dr. Zhao will serve as a point of contact for academic and administrative partnerships with institutions around the world. She will help support communication, facilitate collaboration, and work with colleagues across the Faculty to strengthen long-term relationships. She will also monitor ongoing projects to ensure they remain aligned with shared goals and to help address any challenges that may arise.

Part of Dr. Zhao’s responsibility will be to support partnerships across different educational and cultural contexts. This includes helping navigate differences in institutional expectations, processes, and communication styles to maintain constructive working relationships. She will also represent the Faculty in fostering goodwill and shared understanding across collaborative initiatives.

In addition to sustaining existing partnerships, Dr. Zhao will work to identify new areas for collaboration, such as joint teaching, research projects, and student engagement activities. She will consult broadly with colleagues as she develops the priorities and goals of the Office of Global Engagement.