Dr. Xujun Tian | Education and Lingustics | Best Researcher Award
Associate Professor, at Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, China.
Dr. Xujun (Alan) Tian 🇨🇳 is a distinguished associate professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance. With a profound academic journey rooted in translation studies, he has contributed significantly to the fields of corpus-based translation, discourse analysis, and image studies. Holding a Ph.D. in Foreign Languages and Literature from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, an M.A. (Distinction) in Translation with Language Technology from Swansea University, UK, and a B.A. in English from Xiangtan University, Dr. Tian merges Western linguistic technology with Chinese rhetorical tradition. Over the last two decades, he has held academic roles across China and the U.S., including the University of Texas at Dallas. 📚 His expertise is recognized in over 20 journal articles, key research grants, and membership in the Baker Center for Translation. His corpus-driven work provides innovative insights into China’s evolving global narrative. 🌏
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Tian’s academic background reflects a balance of Eastern depth and Western innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Foreign Languages and Literature from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2016–2020), one of China’s leading research institutions, where his dissertation focused on the evolution of China’s diplomatic image. Prior to that, he completed a Master’s degree with Distinction in Translation with Language Technology at Swansea University, UK (2005–2007), gaining hands-on experience with corpus tools and CAT systems. His foundational training in English Language and Literature began at Xiangtan University (1996–2000), where he cultivated a deep appreciation for comparative linguistics and intercultural communication. 🏫 Dr. Tian’s interdisciplinary education combines traditional literature, linguistic analytics, and digital translation technologies—equipping him to lead the future of corpus-based translation studies. 🧠
💼 Experience
Dr. Tian has held diverse academic and administrative positions since 2000. He is currently an Associate Professor at Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance (2023–present), where he mentors MA students in translation and discourse studies. Prior roles include Associate Professor at China Three Gorges University (2021–2023) and Lecturer/Associate Professor from 2011 to 2016. He also served as Program Coordinator and Assistant to the Chinese Director at the University of Texas at Dallas (2009–2011), contributing to cross-cultural academic programming at the Confucius Institute. 📘 Dr. Tian began his career at China Three Gorges University (2000–2005), where he returned multiple times, reflecting his strong institutional ties. His experience bridges domestic and international academia, making him a global scholar with an emphasis on applied translation and discourse research. 🌐
🔬 Research Interest
Dr. Tian’s research lies at the intersection of corpus linguistics, translation studies, and image construction. His work focuses on corpus-based translation studies, with a special emphasis on how discourse and modal verbs shape national narratives in translated texts. 🧾 He is deeply engaged in image studies, analyzing how China’s national identity is constructed across multilingual corpora. His recent projects include comparative analyses of diplomatic discourse across Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Arabic, funded by national and provincial agencies. He also explores Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and the development of terminology management curricula. By blending technology with theory, Dr. Tian pushes forward translator training models in the digital era. His work on the Chinese-English translation of government reports stands as a model for high-impact corpus-informed policy discourse research. 📈
🏆 Awards
🎖️ In 2013, Dr. Tian was honored with the “Excellent Staff” award from China Three Gorges University, recognizing his outstanding contribution to teaching, research, and service. This early accolade laid the foundation for his future impact in both academia and public scholarship. Additionally, his research projects have received prestigious national and provincial funding, including grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Hubei Department of Education. His recognized excellence in translator training, corpus-based analysis, and the internationalization of China’s image reflects a career built on rigorous scholarship and innovation. He is also an affiliate member of the Baker Center for Translation and Intercultural Studies, enhancing global dialogues in translation. 🏅
📚Top Noted Publications
Dr. Tian has authored 23 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, standards, and translations. His work has appeared in Frontiers in Psychology, PLOS ONE, Heliyon, Corpora, and top Chinese journals like Foreign Languages in China and Shanghai Journal of Translators. His 2025 article on modal verbs in Chinese government reports (👉 PLOS ONE, 2025) explores translator mediation in political discourse. Another notable study, “Personalized Translator Training in the Era of Digital Intelligence” (👉 Heliyon, 2024), discusses AI’s role in translation pedagogy. His research has been cited in multiple cross-linguistic studies, signaling international relevance. 🧾 His work offers tools and frameworks for scholars, educators, and policymakers seeking to understand how translation and discourse reflect and shape national narratives.
📎 Selected Publications with Hyperlinks, Year, Journal, and Citations
1. Translators as Mediators… Modal Verbs in Government Reports
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Year: 2025
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Journal: PLOS ONE
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Citations: 4
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Focus: Explores the mediating role of translators in rendering modal verbs in official government documents, likely using corpus-based methodology.
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Relevance: Highlights the nuances of modality in translation and its potential impact on diplomatic or political communication.
2. Personalized Translator Training in the Era of Digital Intelligence
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Year: 2024
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Journal: Heliyon
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Citations: 7
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Focus: Discusses how digital tools and AI can tailor translator education, possibly advocating adaptive or intelligent tutoring systems for MTI (Master of Translation and Interpreting) students.
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Relevance: Applies digital intelligence to enhance translation pedagogy.
3. Translation Studies Based on a Multilingual Corpus
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Year: 2023
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Journal: Journal of Beijing International Studies University
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Citations: 3
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Focus: Uses a multilingual corpus to inform translation theory or practice, likely offering cross-linguistic insights.
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Relevance: Bridges theoretical translation studies with empirical multilingual data.
4. Corpus-Based Analysis of China’s Diplomatic Stance
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Year: 2022
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Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
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Citations: 12
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Focus: Uses corpus linguistics to examine linguistic strategies that reflect China’s diplomatic positioning.
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Relevance: Intersects translation, corpus linguistics, and international relations.
5. A Corpus-Based Study of Modal Verbs in Government Reports
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Year: 2022
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Journal: Shanghai Journal of Translators
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Citations: 6
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Focus: Analyzes the use of modal verbs in official reports, probably the Chinese-English translation context.
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Relevance: Complements the 2025 PLOS ONE article, emphasizing modality and pragmatics.
6. Review: Corpus-based Translation in Chinese Contexts
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Year: 2022
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Journal: Corpora
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Citations: 2
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Focus: A review article evaluating corpus-based translation research in China, perhaps with a critical or meta-analytic lens.
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Relevance: Serves as a literature synthesis and reflection on the state of the field.
7. Corpus-based Study on China’s Diplomatic Image (1949–2018)
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Year: 2020
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Type: Dissertation
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Citations: 5
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Focus: Longitudinal study analyzing China’s diplomatic portrayal over nearly 70 years using corpus methods.
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Relevance: Historical scope makes it foundational for later works.
8. MTI Education under Language Intelligence
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Year: 2020
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Journal: Foreign Language World
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Citations: 8
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Focus: Addresses the integration of AI and digital tech in professional translator training programs (MTI).
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Relevance: Educational innovation in the context of language tech.
9. Corpus-Based Study on Chinese Diplomatic Keywords
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Year: 2020
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Journal: Foreign Languages in China
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Citations: 9
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Focus: Identifies and analyzes key terms in Chinese diplomacy through corpus techniques.
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Relevance: Valuable for discourse analysis and diplomatic communication.
10. A Corpus-based Study of China’s Diplomatic Images in Translation
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Year: 2018
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Journal: Foreign Languages in China
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Citations: 11
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Focus: Investigates how translation affects international perceptions of China’s diplomacy.
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Relevance: Early work connecting corpus linguistics with image construction.
Conclusion
Dr. Xujun (Alan) Tian is a highly qualified and compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His interdisciplinary expertise, robust publication record, and funded research projects reflect a scholar of strong academic merit and long-term contribution to translation studies, particularly in corpus-based methodologies. While there is room to enhance global recognition and interdisciplinary impact, his current profile already demonstrates excellence in research, innovation, and academic service.