In conversation with Dr Julia Wang

It’s been a busy start to 2026 for Dr Julia Wang, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, International Relations. In additional to her planned visits to LJMU’s partner universities worldwide, attending graduation ceremonies, launching alumni networks and wider engagement activities, she also accompanied UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harriet Harman, on her visit to the Gulf region as one of only three women leaders from the UK. 

We caught up with Julia, who is a self-proclaimed 'adopted scouser', having moved here from Shanghai in 2005, to find out what a typical day looks like for her, her favourite part of the city and the best piece of advice she’s ever received.  

Tell us about your career prior to joining to LJMU?  

I have been working in Higher Education for 30 years and was a Lecturer in English Literature at Shanghai University before I joined LJMU. I first came to LJMU in 2005 as a visiting academic  to undertake joint research activities in the Faculty of Business and Law at LJMU for three months, after which I got offered a Research Fellow and Sessional Lecturer post in the faculty, undertaking research in the area of second language acquisition, teaching on research methods modules, as well as translation/interpretation modules and Chinese language modules.  To date, I am still research active in social linguistics, as the Visiting Professor of a couple of universities and an external examiner for Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). 

Tell us about your current role and what a typical day looks like for you?  

I have the honour of serving as the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International Relations, working with colleagues in professional services and faculties to take care of the strategic development of global partnerships, international student recruitment and student international mobility activities.  

My typical day could be the same as lots of other colleagues, filled with back to back meetings, but I could also be somewhere overseas, visiting partners, meeting with our international students , building international relations with like-minded partners, or key external stakeholders, creating opportunities for our students to explore the world, and also establishing bridges to welcome students to Liverpool.  

No two days are the same – one day I may be focused on developing new global partnerships, the next supporting strategic projects aligned to our 2030 ambitions. Travel also plays an important part of my role, whether representing LJMU overseas or strengthening relationships with governments and institutions. What remains constant is a focus on building meaningful collaboration, creating opportunities, broadening access and delivering real impact. 

What project or achievement are you most proud of while working here?  

I’m always grateful that my colleagues and the university empower me and trust me to look beyond the day job, and our institutional collaborations. There are several projects over the years that I’m particularly proud including: 

The establishment of the UK–Malaysia University Consortium (funded by the British Council Malaysia) and transforming it into a strategic trilateral platform. 

Since January 2022, Liverpool John Moores University has served as Secretariat of the UK–Malaysia University Consortium, and I have had the privilege of first serving as Co-Chair and then Chair. 

Under this leadership, we extended the partnership model to include China, creating a trilateral UK–Malaysia–China platform. This significantly elevated the ambition and scale of collaboration, moving from dialogue to delivery. 

More recently I was honoured to be invited by the UK Special Envoy, Baroness Harriet Harman, to join her visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE as one of only three women leaders from the UK to support advancing Women’s leadership in global Higher Education. 

This visit was far more than symbolic. It provided direct engagement with women leaders across government, higher education and industry in the Gulf region. We heard first-hand accounts of rapid policy reform, institutional transformation, and leadership development initiatives shaping women’s advancement. 

What makes this one of my proudest achievements is the opportunity it created, not just to observe, but to act. The trip reinforced that leadership diplomacy in higher education must convert inspiration into infrastructure, and I am committed to ensuring it does. 

Favourite spot on campus and across Liverpool? 

On campus, I really enjoy spaces where you can feel the energy of students and staff coming together – there’s something inspiring about that sense of shared purpose. 

In Liverpool, it’s hard to choose, but the waterfront is always special. It captures the city’s history, ambition and global outlook, qualities that resonate strongly with LJMU. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  

“Be clear about your purpose.” In leadership roles, there are always competing priorities and pressures. Staying grounded in your purpose and the impact you want to create. This helps guide decisions and maintain focus. It also reminds you that progress is built through relationships, listening and long-term thinking. 

Outside of work, what are you reading, watching or listening to right now?  

I’m currently reading a mix of leadership and global affairs writing – I’m always interested in how organisations navigate change in complex environments.  

Outside of that, I try to balance things with something lighter to switch off properly. For example, Runway shows, street style and the subtle art of pretending I don’t already own three versions of the same coat! Fashion is an attitude not just a style - in my opinion. If you are going to show up, show up properly.  

One day in the distant future, perhaps after I retire, I might finally do something serious about fashion. A curated shop? A fashion blog titled ‘Accidentally Fabulous’...watch this space. 

What are your upcoming priorities, and how can colleagues get involved? 

Over the next 12 to 24 months, my priorities are focused on strengthening high-impact international partnerships, expanding opportunities for global mobility and collaboration, and ensuring our international engagement directly supports the LJMU Strategy 2030. 

This means being intentional about where we invest time and energy, aligning partnerships with our research strengths and student ambitions, and creating pathways that benefit the whole university community. 

Colleagues can get involved by sharing ideas, engaging with international opportunities, contributing to partnership development and being ambassadors for LJMU in their own networks. Our global success is always a collective effort. 

Find out more about LJMU International Relations

You can find out more about the International team and LJMU’s global partnerships here.