• national identity and nationalism
• cultural politics in international relations
• cultural diplomacy of China (1949-present)
• discourse analysis, 
• Sustainable meat consumption in China
• discourses on meat consumption and nation from historical and contemporary perspective

Tracey’s research interests are in the intersection between culture and politics of China. Her current research follows two trajectories: one examines public diplomacy and the symbolic use of ‘history’ in strategic narratives, the other considers the challenges that a global China brings to climate change by examining Chinese discourses around meat consumption and its reduction.  

She completed her PhD thesis “Nationalism, National Identity and Politics in the Teaching of Chinese as a Foreign Language" at The University of Nottingham, UK, in 2015. This research explores the transnational reproduction of China’s official national identity by examining four decades of Mandarin textbooks for foreign learners from the late pre-reform era to the present-day. 

She teaches courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level on the making of modern China, Cold War History, Research Methods and intersections in ideology, culture and society of contemporary China.

She is currently supervising six PhD students.

Tracey has extensive administration and leadership experience, having served as Director of Teaching for the School of International Studies, Senior Tutor, Exchange Officer, First year Officer, and Dissertation co-ordinator. 

Her roles for Spring 2024 are Interim Director of Teaching and Dissertation Co-ordinator.

Prior to undertaking her doctorate, Tracey worked for many years in education, teaching within FE and HE and project managing international programmes between China and the UK as well as support of interdisciplinary research activities.  She holds a MA (Hons) in History of Art from the University of Glasgow, a Masters in Chinese Studies from the University of Edinburgh, and a PGCE in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Bolton. Tracey has extensive experience in China, working and studying in many different parts of the country.

Current

• PG Contemporary China Issues (convenor)
• PG Research Methods (contributor)
• UG Silk Roads (convenor)
• UG China, Russia and the US (contributor)
• Onging: Dissertation Co-ordinator

Past Undergraduate courses

•  Rise of Modern China (Convenor)
• Research Techniques in Contemporary China (Convenor)

Past Postgraduate Courses

•  Contemporary Chinese Culture, Ideology and Society (Convenor)
• Rise of Modern China (Convenor)
• Contemporary China Issues (Contributor)
• Research Design and Practice in China
• UG Research Methods
• Masters Dissertation (Supervisor)