Let's Meet...Wenqing Chen

Introduction

My name is Wenqing Chen and I have recently joined the Technology Enhanced Learning Team (TELT) within the Training and Support area of TELT - offering 3rd line support via the IT Helpdesk, as well as assisting with induction and training sessions for students and staff across the University. I will be the TELT specialist for Mentimeter, Padlet, H5P, Level Up, Mahara and Brickfield Accessibility as well as other student engagement tools - I look forward to working with you if you would like to learn more about engaging your students and ensuring inclusive and accessible content using these digital tools.

 

Tell us a bit about your previous role

Before joining Queen Mary, I worked at the University of Portsmouth as a Learning Technologist and Digital Learning Developer, supporting both the Portsmouth and London campuses. My role focused on working closely with academics and students to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment through effective use of learning technologies. This included supporting digital assessment and feedback, staff training, guidance on inclusive and accessible learning design, and day-to-day problem solving around platforms such as the VLE and other student-facing tools. I particularly enjoyed the collaborative nature of the role and the opportunity to bridge pedagogy, technology, and practice in a higher education context. 

 

What attracted you to come and work at QM? 

What attracted me to Queen Mary was the opportunity to join another strong and well-established higher education institution, while working in a slightly different context and scale. I was particularly drawn to Queen Mary’s long-standing commitment to widening participation and its close connection with the East London community. The diversity of the staff and student population, alongside the university’s emphasis on inclusive teaching and learning, really resonated with me and felt like a natural next step in my professional journey. 

 

What are you most looking forward to in the job? 

I’m especially looking forward to working with the TEL team, which brings together colleagues with a wide range of expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives. I’m keen to deepen my understanding of how learning technologies and learning design are applied across different disciplines and curricula, particularly in areas that are new to me. At the same time, I hope to contribute my own experience in pedagogy, digital assessment, staff development, and student support, and to work collaboratively with colleagues to support effective and meaningful use of learning technologies across the university. 

 

Is there anything interesting you are currently learning or doing in the role? 

At the moment, I’m learning a great deal about the technologies used at QMUL, some of which I’ve worked with before and others that are completely new to me. I’m also getting to grips with how the TEL team operates within ITS and how it connects with schools and faculties more broadly. Understanding this wider network of colleagues, and how we work together to solve problems, share good practice, and identify areas for improvement, is something I’m really keen to develop further. 

 

What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy keeping active and spending time outdoors, especially hiking and playing sports. Tennis is something I really like, as it helps me clear my head and reset after a busy week. I also enjoy reading in my downtime, and I’m a big believer in proper rest - so catching up on sleep is very much a hobby too. 

 

Quick-fire questions

• Favourite type of cuisine?

Chinese food! I am very much a Chinese stomach. Once you have one, there’s no going back. 

• Favourite animal? 

Dogs. I don’t have one yet, but it’s definitely on my long-term life plan. 

• Favourite hot drink? 

Probably a good cup of tea (let the teabag brew and add milk last please!), but an Americano or latte to start the day!

• Favourite app on your phone? 

ChatGPT. I genuinely enjoy talking to AI and bouncing around different ideas. 

• Favourite holiday destination? 

Somewhere that balances nature and city life, beautiful scenery, good walking routes, and enough urban life to experience how locals actually live. I like places where I can slow down, blend in a bit, and still have a decent coffee nearby. 

• Favourite game? 

I’m more into sports and outdoor activities these days, but I still enjoy games now and then. Casual, social games are ideal, I think Switch-style games where it’s more about having fun together than being competitive. 

 

Please join me in welcoming Wenqing to the team!