Xin Li

Dr. Li's research focuses on narrative inquiry in curriculum studies. She utilizes narrative inquiry as a research tool to explore a variety of multicultural, cross-cultural, language minority issues in education. She is particularly interested in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism and its educational and curriculum implications in today's global societies. She develops her Taoist cross-cultural narrative inquiry to shifting polarizations and peace education. Dr. Li advances the research methodology of narrative inquiry. She explores stories, poetry, and other art forms as innovative research tools. She also develops narrative inquiry into curriculum for pre-and in-service teachers. Service-learning and multicultural autobiographies and biographies are among her specialties.

Dr. Li is co-founder and current chair for the Confucianism, Taoism, and Education Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (CTE).

She is the current chair for Lives of Teachers Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (LOT AERA).

Dr. Li is also an editor for the Journal of Curriculum Theorizing (JCT)

Books Authored & Translated

Li, X.; Conle, C.; and Elbaz Lucwisch, F. (2009) Shifting polarized positions: A narrative approach in teacher education. New York: Peter Lang.

Li, X. (2002) The Tao of life stories: Chinese language, poetry, and culture in education. New York: Peter Lang.

Updike, John. (1960/1987) Rabbit, Run, (Xin Li & Li Li, Trans. & Rev.) Chongqing, China: Chongqing Publishing House.

Chapters in Books

Li, X. (2010). Taoism and peace education: In J. Lin & J. P. Miller (EDs.) Spirituality, religion, and peace education: Integrating our body, mind and soul for inner peace and world peace. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum. 209-225.

Li, X. (2009a). Intersubjective becoming and curriculum creativity as international text: A resonance. In E. L. Malewski (Ed.) Curriculum Studies Handbook: The Next Moment. New York: Lawrence Erlbauam, pp 387-392. (2010 AERA Division B Outstanding Book Recognition).

Li, X. (2007) My lived stories of poetic thinking and Taoist knowing. (In Wang, H. & Eppart, C. Eds.) Cross-Cultural Studies in Curriculum: Eastern thought, Educational Insights, New York: Lawrence Erlbaum, pp 193-206. (2009 Critics Choice Book Award of the American Educational Studies Association & 2010 AERA Division B Outstanding Book Recgnition).

Refereed Journals

Li, X., Kenzy, P., Severson, L., & Underwood, L. (July 2015). Dramatic impact of action research of arts-based teaching on at-risk students. Educational Action Research.DOI: 10.1080/09650792.2015.1042983.

Li, X. (2011a). Feminism and Daoism: Identity through life stories of Chinese immigrant women. Transnational Curriculum Inquiry, 8(1), 69-82.

Li, X. (2011b). Editor's note: Intersubjectively cultivate our worldly sensibility. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, 27(3), 221-223.

Li, X. (2009b). Black and white may make a rainbow: Cultural creativity from opposites. Multicultural Perspectives, 11(3), 1-7.

Li, X. (2009c).  A Daoist perspective in internaionalzing curriculum. Curriculum Inquiry, 39(1), 179-192.

Li, X. (2007) Multiculturalize teacher identity: A critical descriptive narrative. Multicultural Education, 14(4), pp 37-44.

Li, X. (2006) Becoming Taoist I and Thou: Identity-making of opposite cultures. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy. 3(2), pp. 193-216.

Li, X., and Lal, D. (2006) An Inner-City School Mentor: A narrative inquiry of the life experiences of Daddy. Mentoring & Tutoring, 14(3), pp. 317-335.

Li, X. (2005). A Tao of narrative: Dynamic splicing of teacher stories. Curriculum Inquiry, 34(3), pp. 339-366.

Li, X., and Lal, S. (2005) Critical Reflective thinking through service-learning: Reconstructing culture through a multicultural autobiographical method. The International Journal of Intercultural Education. 16(3), pp 217-234.

Conle, C., Li, X.. & Tan, J. (2002) Connecting vicarious experience to practice, Curriculum Inquiry, pp. 429-452.

Campus Committees:

2009-2010 Post-Promotion Increase Appeal Committee

2006-2007 Scholarly and Creative Activities Council

2002-2004 Program Review and Academic Planning Council

College Committees:

2009-present Scholarship Committee

2007-2010 Curriculum Committee

2006-2008 Technology Committee

2005-2009 Retention, Tenure and Promotion Committee

2005-2007 Strategic Planning Committee

2005-2007 Student Affair Committee

2004-2005 Chair 2003-2004 Member Arts in Education Committee

Department Committees:

2008-2010 Chair, Faculty Search Committee

2005-2008 Faculty Search Committee

2005-2010 Technology Committee

2002- 2007 Curriculum Committee

2004-2005 Evaluation of Lecturers Committee

2001-2003 Evaluation of Lecturers Committee

Dr. Li's current projects include:
Narrative inquiry research---Urban Public School Teachers Thrive on Arts-Based Teaching
Narrative inquiry research---Enhancing New Immigrant Urban Teacher's Self-Image through Retired Teachers' Life Stories