Aurora Lixinhao Gao

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Newnham College
  • PhD student

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About

Aurora Lixinhao Gao is a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on the psychology of language acquisition and multilingualism. Aurora earned a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree with Distinction from the University of Cambridge, where she was awarded the Best Dissertation Award and the Master’s Prize. Prior to her graduate studies, she majored in Spanish Philology and minored in Applied Psychology, achieving First-class Honours degrees and receiving the Best Dissertation Award. Aurora also serves as a Research Assistant at the Research for Equitable Access and Learning Centre at the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Beyond academia, Aurora passionately dedicates her life to the art of violin performance and the mastery of multiple languages.

Supervised by: Prof Henriëtte Hendriks

Scholarships and Prizes:

  • Best Dissertation Award, University of Cambridge
  • Master’s Prize, University of Cambridge
  • CRASSH Connections Grant, University of Cambridge
  • Postgraduate Research Grants, Newnham College
  • H.M. Chadwick Fund, University of Cambridge
  • National Scholarships, Ministry of Education of the PRC
  • Shanghai Outstanding Graduate Student Award, SMEC
  • Top 1 Exchange Student Scholarship, Antonio de Nebrija University
  • Annual First-class Scholarships for Academic Excellence, ECNU
  • Best Dissertation Award, ECNU

Fellowships:

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Published works: 

Gao, A. L., Carter, E., Kwok, P. K. P., Shima, L. & Singal, N. (2025). Engaging student voice in Rwandan secondary schools: Understanding factors supporting learning in STEM and future aspirations. British Educational Research Journal, 00, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.4201

Gao, A. L., Carter, E., Kwok, P.K.P., Shima, L., & Singal, N. (2024). Understanding factors which support students’ learning and motivation in STEM subjects in Rwandan secondary schools. Leaders in Teaching Research and Policy Series, August 2024. Laterite, Rwanda and REAL Centre, University of Cambridge.

Chong, S. W., & Gao, A. L. (Eds.) (2024). Developing feedback literacy for academic journal peer review: Narratives from researchers in education and applied linguistics (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003365662

Chong, S. W., & Gao, A. L. (2024). Academics’ feedback literacy for journal peer review. In S. W. Chong & A. L. Gao (Eds.), Developing feedback literacy for academic journal peer review: Narratives from researchers in education and applied linguistics (1st ed., pp. 2-19). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003365662-2

Chong, S. W., & Gao, A. L. (2024). Feedback in journal peer review - The way forward. In S. W. Chong & A. L. Gao (Eds.), Developing feedback literacy for academic journal peer review: Narratives from researchers in education and applied linguistics (1st ed., pp. 148-157). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003365662-14