Dr. Sam Zare is an Assistant Professor at the Academy of Future Education with over 25 years of international experience in higher education across multiple countries. His research lies at the intersection of language education, learner psychology, and educational technology, focusing on how language learning and use shape learners’ identities, emotions, and motivation. Situated within applied linguistics and educational psychology, his work examines the affective and motivational dimensions of learning and their implications for pedagogy and learner development in diverse educational settings. A complementary strand of his research explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on education, including their effects on pedagogy, learner psychology, and institutional practices, with particular emphasis on digital literacy as a core competency for students and educators in AI-enhanced learning environments. Previously, he served as the Founding Director of the Global Digital Citizenship Center (GDCC) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), where he led initiatives in digital literacy and digital citizenship education to support students’ critical, ethical, and effective engagement with digital technologies. He welcomes postgraduate students interested in language education in technology-rich contexts, learner psychology and identity, and the role of AI and digital literacy in contemporary and emerging educational contexts.

Language Education and Identity

Emotions and Motivation in Learning

Young Learners’ Language Development

Psychology of Language Learning

Artificial Intelligence in Education

Digital Literacy and Technology-Mediated Learning

Director of the Global Digital Citizenship Center (GDCC)