The MLRC School Network Glocal Scholar series is part of our commitment to integrate local and global contexts and to explore a range of issues related to the education of multilingual learners. As defined in our recent publication, “Glocal Network Shifts: Exploring Language Policies and Practices in International Schools”, the term glocal reflects our goal to problematize the boundaries that often exist between conceptions of “global” and “local”, including the separation sometimes observed between international schools and their local context.
Dr. Phương Minh Lương is a coordinator and lecturer at the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Vietnam Japan University (Vietnam National University, Hanoi). She also serves as a senior researcher at the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (under the Ministry of Education and Training) and is a member of the Scientific Committee of Pedagogy and Psychology for the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) in Vietnam (2024–2026).
Phuong earned her Ph.D. in Educational Sciences and Social Pedagogy from Rostock University (Germany) through a prestigious DAAD scholarship (2010-2015). Currently, she is a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA (2024–2025). Her academic journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of equity and inclusivity in education, particularly for Vietnam’s minority students. Over the past 15 years, Phuong has concentrated her research on developing culturally responsive teaching practices, a focus that has drawn inspiration from educational systems in countries like the USA, Germany, and Japan. This work has addressed the critical need to adapt teaching methods to meet the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of students, ensuring a more inclusive educational environment in Vietnam.
Phuong presented her work at the MLRC International Research Symposium on November 23–24, 2024, at Saigon South International School, Ho Chi Minh City. Her presentation centered on fostering cultural competence in “language use” to enhance teaching for minority students in Vietnam. By addressing issues of equity and well-being in educational practices, her research aims to connect educators and scholars worldwide to explore strategies that guarantee quality education for multilingual learners.
Throughout her career, Phuong has led or co-led numerous large-scale research projects focused on rebuilding education systems for equity and social justice. Among her most notable projects are the Research on Improving System of Education in Vietnam (2017–2023) and a national study on enhancing human resource quality for ethnic minorities through pre-service and in-service teacher training systems (2023–2025). These projects have been conducted in close collaboration with international researchers and policymakers, and their outcomes have significantly influenced Vietnam’s educational policies. Notably, her work has contributed to the design of new curricula and intervention programs to improve educational quality for multilingual students in minority regions.
In addition to her research, Phuong has made significant contributions as a teacher educator. She has provided in-service training for teachers on instructing minority students as second-language learners, supported by funding from organizations such as ActionAid International Vietnam, Save the Children, Plan International and UNICEF. Her efforts have included the co-development of culturally responsive teaching methods and textbooks tailored for ethnic minority students.
Phuong’s scholarly output includes numerous publications in reputed international journals and three monographs on culturally responsive teaching strategies. She has also contributed to several edited volumes by global publishers like Springer and Routledge, addressing teacher and student agency in diverse cultural contexts. Through her work, Phuong continues to advance equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education for multilingual students in Vietnam and beyond.
Contact address:
Dr. Phuong Minh Luong
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
VNU Vietnam Japan University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Email: lm.phuong@vju.ac.vn