Episode 5. How pedagogic curiosity turned into AI leadership with Professor Xue Zhou

In this episode, we are joined by a Professor Xue Zhou - Professor of AI in Business Education and one of the UK’s first Deans of AI to discuss how expertise, focus, and curiosity can shape an education-focused academic career.The conversation traces Professor Zhou’s journey from engineering and digital teaching tools like Top Hat, through widening participation and pedagogic research, to becoming known for AI in education. Along the way, we discuss the realities of limited scholarship time, leadership expectations, and how education-focused academics often have to work harder to make their impact visible.A central part of the episode focuses on very practical uses of generative AI, from reducing admin through meeting summaries, to speeding up systematic literature reviews, and supporting fellowship and promotion applications. AI is framed as a a helpful way of protecting time for teaching, scholarship and leadership.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent the positions of their universities or employers. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or career advice. Participation by guests is voluntary and by invitation, and their contributions are shared with permission. All book-related content is © the respective publisher and used with permission. This podcast is an independent project and is not an official production of any university.