Prof. LEUNG Kit-ying, Suzannie

BA (CityU), PGDPsy, MEd (CUHK), MA (HKBU), PGDE, PhD (HKU)

Associate Professor
Prof. LEUNG Kit-ying, Suzannie

Prof. LEUNG Kit-ying, Suzannie

Associate Professor

HTB Rm. 420
3943 6983


Website
Introduction
Dr. Suzannie Leung graduated from the City University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Creative Media. She further obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from The University of Hong Kong (Distinction), a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Dean's List), and a Master of Arts degree in Visual Arts from Hong Kong Baptist University (Merit). She finished her PhD at The University of Hong Kong and her doctoral thesis focused on visual arts education in Hong Kong kindergartens. She served as a lecturer in the Early Childhood Education and Elementary Division of Hong Kong Baptist University, and a senior lecturer in the School of Education and Languages, Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
Research Areas
Early childhood curriculum and pedagogy, early visual arts, creativity in early childhood, teacher education and development
Programme Leadership
MA Degree in Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education
BEd (Early Childhood Education) Programme, Faculty of Education
BA (Early Childhood Education) Programme, Faculty of Education
Certification Course for Kindergarten Principals, Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research
Journal Editorship
Editorial board member, British Educational Research Journal (2024 – 2027)
Editorial board member, Pedagogy, Culture & Society (2023 – Present)
Editorial board member, Journal of Research in Childhood Education (2023 – Present)
Editorial board member, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood (2020 – 2025)
Editorial board member, the Springer Book Series Advancing Inclusive and Special Education in Asia Pacific (2025 – Present)
Awards
  1. Faculty Exemplary Teaching Award 2023-24, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2025)
  2. Bronze, Poster Award (Educational Impact) (PI: Dr. Sally Wan, CUHK), Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo 2022, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2022)
  3. New Scholar Award, World Organization for Early Childhood Education (2022)
  4. Young Researcher Award, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2021)
Professional Community Services
  1. Member, The Assessment Panel on Curriculum Leadership of Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence (CEATE), Hong Kong SAR (2025 – 2026)
  2. Member, The Assessment Panel on Early Childhood Education of Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence (CEATE), Hong Kong SAR (2023 – 2024)
  3. Member, The PECERA-HK Strategic Partnership Sub-Committee, Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (Hong Kong) (2022 – Present)
  4. Honorary Advisor, Hong Kong Kowloon and N.T. Kindergarten Education Advancement Association (2019 – Present)
  5. Specialist of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) in the areas of Education and Arts, Design and Performing Arts (2018 – Present)
  6. Accreditation Panel Member, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (2018 – Present)
  7. Executive Committee Member, World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP-HK) (2020–2022)
  8. 指導專家, 廣東省教育廳廣州市番禺區教育局學前教育指導專家庫 (2022–Present)
Selected Publications
  1. Wong, T. C. Y., Chan, C. S. Y., & Leung, S. K. Y.* (Accepted). The medium of instruction policy in Hong Kong: Debates, challenges, and pathways for enhancing bilingual education. Current Issues in Language Planning. https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2025.2545050
  2. Li, J. W., Leung, S. K. Y.* & Yau, H. P. T. (Accepted). Facilitating kindergarten teachers’ positive education through an online workshop of digital storytelling. Education Sciences.
  3. Jiang, S., Zeng, N., Ng, J. Y. Y., Chong, K. H., Zeng, T., Leung, S. K. Y., & Ha, A. S. (Accepted). Effects of physical activity interventions on fundamental movement skills and cognitive function among preschoolers: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science.
  4. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Li, J. W., So, G., & Wong, T. C. Y. (Accepted). Facilitating children’s oracy skills through digital storytelling. In C. C. M., Goh et al. (Eds.), Developing Second Language Oracy in Young Learners. Springer Nature Switzerland.
  5. Leung, S. K. Y.* & Hung, K. (Accepted). From exploration to integration: Visual arts media in a teacher education program in Hong Kong. In A., Bautista et al. (Eds.), Arts and Creativity in East and Southeast Asian Preschools: Towards ‘Glocal’ Pedagogies. Springer.
  6. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wu, J., Li, J. W., Lam, Y. & Ng. O. (2025). Examining young children’s computational thinking through animation art. Early Childhood Education Journal, 53, 1563–1575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01694-w
  7. Wong, T. C. Y., Leung, S. K. Y.*, & Liang, L. (2025). Exploring Hong Kong student teachers’ perspectives on children’s play and learning. Journal of Childhood, Education & Society, 6(1), 38–54. https://doi.org/10.37291/2717638X.202561516
  8. Huang, L., Leung, S. K. Y.*, Li, J. W., & Wu, Z. (2025). How does comprehensive art education facilitate children’s creativity? A mixed-methods study in China. Early Education and Development, 36(2), 460–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2024.2404822
  9. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wu, J., & Ho, T. H. (2025). Early childhood visual arts education: Teachers’ content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and challenges. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 34(1), 351–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-024-00859-w
  10. Leung, S. K. Y.* & Wan, S. W. Y. (2024). Educational commons: Resisting neoliberalism through teachers’ voices in Hong Kong. Cultural Studies, 39(3), 358–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/09502386.2024.2442436
  11. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Yip, O. W. & Li, J. W. (2024). Exploring preservice ECE teachers’ TPACK through digital storytelling during the pandemic. Early Child Development and Care, 194(9–10), 1041–1057. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2024.2395381
  12. Wan, S. W. Y. & Leung, S. K. Y. (2024). A micro-political exploration of resignation of Hong Kong experienced kindergarten principals amidst preschool education coordinator turnover. Educational Management Administration and Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432241269391
  13. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2024). Listening to Hong Kong children’s perspectives through pretend play. British Educational Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3994
  14. Pan, C. S., Leung, S. K. Y.* & Wan, S. W. Y. (2024). Exploring Chinese kindergarten teachers’ identities and emotions: A sociocultural perspective. Teaching and Teacher Education, 148, 104686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104686
  15. Li, J. W., Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wang, M. D., & Yuen, M. (2024). Developing talented children’s computational thinking through multimodal literacies in pop-up storybooks: A case study in Hong Kong. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1377. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121377
  16. Zhang, L., Chen, Y., Liu, L., & Leung, S. K. Y.* (2024). The relationship between cultural identity and culture responsive teaching of preschool teachers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Exploring the mediating effect of professional identity. Education Journal, 52(1), 1–20. https://hkier.cuhk.edu.hk/en/publications/ej-v52n1-1-20
  17. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wu, J., & Li, J. W. (2024). Children’s knowledge construction of computational thinking in a play-based classroom. Early Child Development and Care, 194(2), 208–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2023.2299405
  18. Leung, S. K. Y.* & Choi, W. Y. (2023). Teachers’ perceptions of technical affordances in early visual arts education. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 32(1), 147–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2227367
  19. Wan, S. W. Y., Leung, S. K. Y., Yuen, S. Y., & Leung, C. C. Y. (2023). Swimming with crocodiles: understanding Hong Kong teachers’ experiences of implementing differentiated instruction through a school-university partnership programme. Journal of Education for Teaching, 49(5), 927–931. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2023.2205829
  20. Pan, C. S., Leung, S. K. Y.* & Wan, S. W. Y. (2023). Unlocking emotional aspects of kindergarten teachers’ professional identity through photovoice. Education Sciences, 13(4), 342. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13040342
  21. Zhang, Y., Ng, O. & Leung, S. K. Y. (2023). Researching computational thinking in early childhood STEAM education context: A descriptive review of selected literature on the state of research and future directions. Journal for STEM Education Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-023-00097-7
  22. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wu, J., Lam, Y. & Ho, T. H. (2023). An explanatory study of kindergarten teachers’ teaching behaviours in their visual arts classrooms. Teaching and Teacher Education, 124, 104018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104018
  23. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wu, J. & Li, H. (2023). Explaining kindergarten teachers’ beliefs and practices regarding early visual arts education: A perspective from the theory of planned behavior. Journal for the Study of Education and Development, 46(1), 190–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/02103702.2022.2133400
  24. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2023). Listening to children's voices as a socially-engaged practice. Art Education, 76(1), 68–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2022.2131208
  25. Weng, X., Ng, O., Cui, Z., Leung, S. K. Y. (2022). Creativity development with problem-based digital making and block-based programme for STEAM learning in middle school contexts. Journal of Educational Computing Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07356331221115661
  26. Leung, S. K. Y.* & Yuen, M. (2022). Exploring talented children’s humour through creating pop-up storybooks. Education 3-13, 51(8), 1325–1341. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2071453
  27. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Luk, S. & Lee, I. (2022). The tension between professionalization and marketization: Hong Kong kindergarten education during the coronavirus pandemic. OMEP: Theory into Practice, 5, 51–55. https://omepworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/OMEP-TIP5-2022.pdf
  28. Yuen, G. & Leung, S. K. Y. (2021). CIEC Editorial 22(4) Special issue: Innovative forms of play in Asian contexts. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 22(4), 293–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/14639491211061348
  29. Zhang, Y., Leung, S. K. Y.* & Li, H. (2021). Parental play beliefs in the developing areas of China: A multiple case study. Education Sciences, 11, 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11100625
  30. Wan, S. W. Y. & Leung, S. K. Y. (2021). Integrating phenomenography with discourse analysis to study Hong Kong prospective teachers’ conceptions of curriculum leadership. Cambridge Journal of Education, 52(1), 91–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2021.1946484
  31. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Chiu, J. L. Y. & Lam, Y. (2021). Online storytelling for young children during the pandemic. Childhood Education, 97(4), 68–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2021.1951569
  32. Leung S. K. Y.*, Choi, W. Y. & Yuen M. (2021). Creative digital art: Young children’s video making through practice-based learning. In Cohrssen C., Garvis S. (eds) Embedding STEAM in Early Childhood Education and Care (pp.41–63). UK: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
  33. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2021). Concept of word in text: The prerequisite in early English literacy for ESL learners in Hong Kong. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 15(2), 1–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2021.15.2.1
  34. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2020). Project superhero: Liberating children’s play through socially-engaged art. InSEA ART Education VISUAL Journal IMAG, 10, 1–7. https://www.insea.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/imag10_1.pdf
  35. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2020). Teachers’ belief-and-practice gap in implementing early visual arts curriculum in Hong Kong. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 52(6), 857–869. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2020.1795271
  36. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Wan, S. W. Y., Orchard, J. & Davids, N. (2020). Consolidating pre-service teachers’ metacognition of online dialogue through visual methods: A Hong Kong case study. Journal of Education for Teaching, 46(5), 693–696. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2020.1761759
  37. Leung, S. K. Y.*, Choi, W. Y. & Yuen, M. (2020). Video art as digital play for young children. British Journal of Educational Technology, 51(2), 531–554. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12877
  38. Leung, S. K. Y.* & Hoshmand, A. R. (2019). The imperative of arts in general education: Does art enhance quality learning? Journal of General Education, 68(3–4), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.5325/jgeneeduc.68.3-4.0153
  39. Cheung, S. K., Fong, R. W., Leung, S. K. Y., & Ling, E. K. (2019). The roles of Hong Kong pre-service early childhood teachers' creativity and zest in their self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments. Early Education and Development, 30(6), 788–799. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2019.1586224
  40. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2019). Translanguaging through visual arts in early childhood: A case study in a Hong Kong kindergarten. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 13(1), 47–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2019.13.1.47
  41. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2019). Socially engaged arts: Luke Ching’s practices for Hong Kong. The International Journal of Social, Political and Community Agendas in the Arts, 14(4), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.18848/2326-9960/CGP/v14i04/25-35
  42. Leung, S. K. Y.* (2018). An exploratory study of early visual arts education in two Hong Kong kindergartens. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 32(4), 392–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2018.1498414
Funded Research Projects (as PI)
  1. Investigating in-service kindergarten teachers’ professional learning community for early visual arts education through a digital commons, General Research Fund 2025-26, Research Grants Council, Jan 2026 – Dec 2027, HK$ 578,000
  2. Examining young children’s computational thinking through digital arts, General Research Fund 2022-23, Research Grants Council, Jan 2023 – Dec 2025, HK$ 807,250
  3. Investigating kindergarten teachers’ attitudes and aptitudes regarding the role of digital devices in visual arts education, General Research Fund 2021-22, Research Grants Council, Jan 2022 – Dec 2024, HK$ 787,300
  4. Investigating kindergarten teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of visual arts education in Hong Kong, Early Career Scheme 2019-20, Research Grants Council, Jan 2020 – Dec 2022, HK$ 661,984
Funded Research Projects (as Co-I)
  1. Empowering Global Student Teachers for Transformative Teaching and Learning in a Globalized World, UGC Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG) for 2022-25 Triennium (3rd Call) (PI: Dr Sally Wan, CUHK), HK$244,800
  2. Fostering a Teacher Learning Community: Integrating Digital Storytelling into Marine Conservation Education for Primary Schools, CUHK Pedagogical Development and Technology-enhanced Learning (PDTL) Grant 2023-2024 (PI: Dr Sally Wan, CUHK), 1 Mar 2024 – 30 Apr 2025, HK$50,000
  3. Building a Sustainable World Together: Global Dialogues for Nature Conservation and Education, Funding Scheme for Initiatives on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supported by the Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG) for 2022-25 Triennium (PI: Dr Sally Wan, CUHK), 1 Apr 2024 – 30 Apr 2025, HK$300,000
  4. Teacher negotiation of educational change and sociocultural processes (re)defining teacher dialogue and practice, General Research Fund 2023-24, Research Grants Council (PI: Prof. Daphnee Lee, CUHK), HK$913,500
  5. Physical Activity Routines, Education, Assessment, Literacy, and Information Technology application in Young children (PA REALITY): A social cognitive theory-based movement education programme for preschool students, Research Impact Fund 2021-22, Research Grants Council (PI: Prof. Amy Ha, CUHK), 2022 – 2024, HK$6,585,714
  6. 'Rhythm And Movement for Self-Regulation' (RAMSR) in Hong Kong kindergartens from low socio-economic backgrounds: A randomized controlled trial, General Research Fund 2021-22, Research Grants Council (PI: Dr. Alfredo Bautista, EdUHK), Jan 2022 – Dec 2024, HK$1,134,700
  7. Conceptions of curriculum leadership: A phenomenographic study of principals and teachers in Hong Kong kindergartens, Department Research Grants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (PI: Dr. Sally Wan, CUHK), Jul 2021 – Jul 2022, HK$10,000
  8. Reinforcing the educational impact of EduVenture® and EduVenture® VR through local, regional and international collaborations, Project Impact Enhancement Fund, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (PI: Prof. Morris Jong, CUHK), Aug 2021 – May 2022, HK$506,782
  9. Using learning management system (LMS) and IT tools to develop self-directed learning abilities of primary school students, Education Bureau, HKSAR Government (PI: Prof. Morris Jong, CUHK), Sep 2020 – Mar 2022, HK$540,960
  10. Project evaluation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust British Council core skills for life, British Council Hong Kong (PI: Dr. Sally Wan, CUHK), Nov 2018 – Oct 2021, HK$499,986
  11. Needs assessment and curriculum design of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Ridge to Reef (RfR), The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong Foundation Ltd (PI: Dr. Sally Wan, CUHK), Sep 2019 – Dec 2020, HK$343,214
Selected Conference Presentations
  1. Leung, S. K. Y. (July, 2025). Visual arts education studies in Hong Kong kindergartens. Invited symposium presentation at the 25th PECERA Annual Conference held from 10 to 12 July 2025 in Shanghai, China.
  2. Leung, S. K. Y., & Li, J. W. (August, 2024). Kindergarten teachers’ perceptions on computational thinking: An interview study in Hong Kong. Paper presentation at the 24th PECERA Annual Conference held from 2 to 4 August 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
  3. Leung, S. K. Y., Wu. J., & Li, J. W. (2024, April 11). Developing computational thinking through integrating animation into early childhood mathematics learning. Paper presented at the AERA Annual Meeting 2024, Philadelphia, USA.
  4. Wan, S. W. Y., & Leung, S. K. Y. (2024, April 12). Experienced kindergarten principals’ resignation during leadership turnover of a preschool education coordinator: From micro-political perspective. Paper presented at the AERA Annual Meeting 2024, Philadelphia, USA.
  5. Wan, S. W. Y., & Leung, S. K. Y. (2024, September 9). "Flying birds in the sky": Early childhood teachers' positioning in enacting curriculum leadership. Paper presented at the BERA Conference and WERA Focal Meeting 2024, University of Manchester, UK.
  6. Leung, S. K. Y., Wu, J., & Choi, W. Y. (May, 2023). Exploring young children’s computational thinking in animation art. Virtual paper presented at the AERA 2023 Annual Meeting held from 4 to 5 May, 2023.
  7. Leung, S. K. Y., Choi, W. Y., Yip, O. W., & Wu, J. (May, 2023). Exploring kindergarten teachers’ TPACK through digital storytelling. Virtual paper presented at the AERA 2023 Annual Meeting held from 4 to 5 May, 2023.
  8. Leung, S. K. Y. & Yuen, G. (July, 2022). Pretend play in socially engaged art: Resisting neoliberalism through children’s voices. Symposium titled “OMEP New Scholar Award”, presented at the 74th OMEP World Assembly and Conference, held from 12 to 15 July 2022 in Athens, Greece.
  9. Leung, S. K. Y. (July, 2022). Examining kindergarten teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in their visual arts classrooms: A mixed-methods approach. Virtual paper presentation at the 22nd PECERA Annual Conference held from 8 to 10 July 2022 in Hong Kong, China.
  10. Leung, S. K. Y. & Wan, S. W. Y. (September, 2021). Unlocking affective aspects of kindergarten teachers' identity through photovoice. Paper presentation at the BERA Virtual Annual Meeting 2021 held from 13 to 16 September 2021.
  11. Leung, S. K. Y. (April, 2021). Exploring kindergarten in-service teachers’ perceptions on the affordances of digital video in visual arts education. Symposium titled “Music and arts teacher learning through classroom video: Outlining future research agendas”, presented at the AERA Virtual Annual Meeting 2021 held from 9 to 12 April 2021.