Dr. Li Zhu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at the Academy of Future Education, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). Her research examines the intersections of higher education, social mobility, and educational equity, with a comparative lens.

Theoretically, Dr. Zhu’s work is grounded in sociological theories, with a particular focus on cultural sociology and cultural studies. Empirically, her research investigates students’ experiences in higher education and the formation and transformation of meritocratic beliefs. She has also conducted cross-national comparative studies on meritocratic beliefs in China, the United States, and Finland, highlighting how different educational systems and social contexts shape individuals’ beliefs. Methodologically, she employs diverse approaches, integrating qualitative methods (e.g., in-depth interviews) with advanced statistical techniques such as Latent Class Analysis and Hierarchical Linear Regression.

Her empirical research has been published in internationally recognized SSCI Q1 journals, including the British Journal of Sociology and the British Journal of Sociology of Education. She has also authored several theoretical analytical papers in top-tier Chinese CSSCI educational journals, such as Tsinghua Educational Research, Educational Studies, and Comparative Education Review. She also serves as a peer reviewer for several SSCI Q1 journals and is currently an Editorial Board Member of the British Journal of Sociology of Education.

Dr. Zhu currently supervises one Master’s student and will be open to supervise doctoral students in 2026. Prospective PhD or EdD students interested in sociology of education, higher education, and educational equity are welcome to contact her.

2021-2023, Graduate student instructor, UC Berkeley

2021-2024, Graduate student researcher, UC Berkeley

EDS 424 (MA): Introduction to research methods (Module leader)

PGR 412 (PhD): Grounded theory (Module leader)

EDS 442 (EdD): Engaging with educational literature (Co-teacher)

PG transition (Field supervisor)

Sociology of Education

Higher Education

Cultural Studies

International Mobility 

Social Class Mobility

Emerging Adulthood

Doctoral Student Learning 

Career and Major Choice 

First-generation College Students