When I arrived in China six years ago, I never thought I would end up teaching Modern British History at Wuhan University, and becoming associate Professor at the age of 29 - the youngest to ever occupy this position in the History department’s 123 year history.  I originally came to Wuhan in 2010 from the UK.  I worked at a small languages college for a year as an English teacher.  Having completed my PhD in 2010 and graduating during the time when the effects of the financial crash were still being acutely felt, the original aim was to teach English for one year, relax and travel after the gruelling experience of completing a PhD, and then return to the UK to pursue an academic career, with the hope that at least some economic recovery had been achieved.  But meeting my future wife, getting married and now being a father has served to change the original plan quite considerably!

(a photo from Professor Mark's Interview with Jobs.ac.uk)

When I started teaching here, I didn’t really know what to expect.  I had heard that the students were very talented, but I wasn’t sure whether they would be able to understand my Welsh accent, or whether they would consider British history to be useful or interesting.  My major area of research is the history and experiences of women, especially the feminist movement, in Britain during the Second World War and beyond.  When I started to teach this, I was shocked and delighted in equal measure to see the enthusiasm with which this subject was received and engaged with.  While the History classes tend to be dominated by women, the gender balance was not the factor that increased interest in the subject, with many of the male students choosing to write their special subject paper on the history of women and sexuality in modern Britain.  Getting men interested in women’s history was, for me, something that I didn’t think I would be able to achieve.

In fact, my students have been one of the most positive and intellectually-stimulating aspects of my life in Wuhan University so far.  Oftentimes, the negative experience can leave an academic feeling jaded, but the teaching experience can help you to rediscover your passion for a subject that dominates your professional career.  The inquisitive nature of Chinese students, who often have many questions after class, force me to challenge myself, my thinking and to ensure that I give them the teaching and attention they deserve.  Indeed, I owe a great debt of thanks to many of my students, whose questions have helped me to improve the manuscript of my forthcoming book, which examines the role and experience of women government workers in the Second World War.  Without their insightful questions and interest in my subject, I doubt that my research would have been so well-informed or clear.

As Wuhan University prepares to increase its international outreach, it is clear that it is taking many positive steps.  The internationalisation of the university through collaborative projects with US, UK and Canadian Universities, the appointment of foreign professors and the large number of students that pursue further study in overseas universities are positive steps in what will be a long, but I believe ultimately successful journey for this university that has a long, deep and proud history within the Chinese education system. 

(Mark J Crowley is an Associate Professor from Department of History, Wuhan University)

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