Emma Chen

Emma Chen, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Elementary Education at the College of Education, Western Washington University. Her research focuses on transnational parent knowledge, raciolinguistic ideologies, translanguaging, and family literacy, employing narrative inquiry to explore heritage language education in immigrant households. She has collaborated with preschool-aged newcomers, Indigenous children, and families in literacy programs, taught Chinese to adult learners, and served as a Lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan. Her work bridges linguistic diversity and educational equity, emphasizing the role of multilingual families in shaping pedagogical practices.

Research Trends: Emma's recent publications (2020–2025) analyze transnationalism in heritage language education, pandemic-induced shifts in family literacy, and cultural mediation in schools. Topics include multicultural picturebooks, bilingual family practices, and the intersection of language ideologies with immigrant experiences.

Scientific Awards:

• SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada) funded scholar

Grants & Advocacy: As a SSHRC-funded researcher, Emma investigates how multilingual families navigate educational systems. She also advocates for culturally responsive pedagogy and has authored a children's book, Molly Misses Nainai, reflecting her commitment to bridging cultural and linguistic divides.