The Learner Research Network

Nermin Karademir recently completed her PhD at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, where her doctoral research examined children's meaning-making through narrative apps on iPads in early years settings. She specialises in educational technology, early childhood education, and AI's implications for young children. Nermin continues to supervise Education Tripos students at the University of Cambridge and currently works as a researcher on a literacy project with the Open University's Reading for Pleasure Team. Her research interests are transdisciplinary, including children's media and digital literature, human-computer interaction, and AI in Education (AIED) in early years contexts.

Yusra Saleem is a clinical researcher and psychophysiology scholar from Karachi, Pakistan. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Karachi, focusing on multimodal interventions for chronic pain. Her work spans clinical research operations, psychophysiological assessment, and global health, with published studies in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine and other peer-reviewed journals. She has served in academic leadership roles, contributes as a reviewer for multiple journals, and has received national and international certifications in clinical research, global health, and neuroscience. Her research aims to bridge behavioral science, physiology, and evidence-based practice to improve health outcomes.

Sunandha Shanmugaraj is a doctoral student at Ontario Tech University specializing in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in education. With over ten years of experience, she has worked in schools across Canada, Rwanda, the UAE, and Mexico. She holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education from Western University, and a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies from York University. Her research examines how mispronunciation, shortening, or renaming of South Asian students’ names affects their identity, belonging, and wellbeing. Outside of academia, Sunandha enjoys travelling, dancing, and baking.

Ayat Tarazi is an Assistant Professor and researcher specializing in English language teaching, EFL engagement, and AI integration in education. She works as a part-time instructor at An-Najah National University and Palestine Technical University- Kadoorie. She serves as a peer reviewer for several international journals and has published in several Q1 outlets. Dr. Tarazi earned her PhD with distinction from the University of Granada. Her academic experience includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, supervising research projects, evaluating curricula, and contributing to digital learning initiatives. She is actively involved in research on technology-enhanced learning and innovation in English language education.

Mengfei Han is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, China. Her research focuses on AI literacy and elementary school teaching. She previously worked for six years as a primary school Chinese language teacher, experience that continues to shape her academic perspective. Her broader interests include curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, and the connections between educational theory and classroom practice.

Muhamad Firdaus Mohd Noh is an experienced educator with over thirteen years of service as an English language teacher. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Measurement and Evaluation at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where his research focuses on developing skill-based language assessments. His scholarly interests centre on the application of psychometric models in language assessment, particularly in exploring how measurement frameworks can enhance the validity, reliability, and diagnostic value of assessment instruments. He has published in reputable journals and has presented his research at both national and international conferences. His academic accomplishments have been recognised through several prestigious awards, including the PROMS 2025 Distinguished Student Scholarship in Singapore and The International Research Foundation (TIRF) Doctoral Dissertation Grant Award.

Tomina Apiti is a doctoral candidate in Health and Wellbeing at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Her research examines leadership, identity, and transition, with a focus on the experiences of women navigating motherhood and service. She serves as Chair of The Backbone Collective. She serves on the Boards of ECPAT NZ and Arohanui Hospice, bringing a governance lens to issues of equity, learning, and organisational culture. A former non-commissioned officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Tomina is interested in how lived experience and emerging technologies can shape inclusive leadership and future-focused educational practice.