Emese K. Nagy | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Emese K. Nagy, University of Miskolc, Hungary

Dr. Emese K. Nagy is a habilitated doctor of education and a leading figure in Hungarian teacher training and talent support. Currently serving as Director General of the Teacher Training Center and Director of the Teacher Training Institute at the University of Miskolc, she is known for her innovative work on the Complex Instruction Program (CIP). Her research addresses equity in education, particularly the academic success of disadvantaged students. Over two decades, she has built a nationwide educational network impacting nearly 200 schools and thousands of teachers. Through practice-oriented reforms and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Nagy continues to transform the pedagogical landscape of Hungary. Her academic and professional excellence has been recognized through numerous national awards, including the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit and the Prima Primissima Prize.

Education

Dr. Nagy’s academic foundation is both multidisciplinary and robust. She earned her habilitation degree in education from Eszterházy Károly University in 2016, following her Ph.D. from the University of Debrecen in 2007. Her academic journey began with a degree in agricultural engineering from the Agricultural University of Debrecen in 1980, followed by a teacher of engineering qualification from Gödöllő in 1988. In 1996, she graduated as a language and literature teacher from the University of Miskolc, and completed her Public Education Manager certification in 1999 at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Her diverse educational background has significantly influenced her interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to educational reform, especially in combining technical, pedagogical, and administrative competencies to develop sustainable, research-based solutions in teacher training and student support.

Experience

Dr. Emese K. Nagy brings over four decades of multifaceted professional experience. Since 2021, she has held dual leadership roles at the University of Miskolc, heading both the Teacher Training Center and the Institute. From 2018 to 2021, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy at Eszterházy Károly University. Earlier, she was the long-serving Head of the IV. Béla Primary School in Hejőkeresztúr (2000–2022), where she pioneered the Hungarian adaptation of the Complex Instruction Program. She has also been a lecturer at Eötvös Loránd University and an associate professor at both the University of Miskolc and Eszterházy Károly University. Her initial career as an agricultural engineer and teacher of engineering laid the groundwork for her analytical and practice-oriented approach to pedagogy. Her leadership across institutions has been instrumental in shaping contemporary Hungarian teacher education and school-based innovation.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Nagy has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her groundbreaking work in education. Among the most notable are the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (2010) and the Prima Primissima Award (2016), given to the Hejőkeresztúr school under her leadership. Other honors include the Ambassador of Hungarian Talent (2018), Pro Universitate Award (2015), and the Mentor of the Year Award (2009) from the Hungarian Innovation Association and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. She was also awarded the Medal of Merit by the University of Miskolc in 2023. These accolades reflect her unwavering dedication to talent development, inclusive education, and professional mentorship, affirming her status as a national leader in educational reform and teacher training.

Research Focus

Dr. Nagy’s research is grounded in social justice and educational equity, with a focus on supporting disadvantaged and underperforming students. She investigates the disconnect between teacher instruction and student understanding, and the systemic causes behind educational underachievement. Her most significant research-led innovation is the Complex Instruction Program (CIP)—a national adaptation of Stanford University’s method—designed to foster cooperative learning and eliminate status differences in heterogeneous classrooms. Since 2021, she has prioritized the transformation of teacher training, advocating for practice-oriented models to better prepare educators for real classroom challenges. Her work bridges research, policy, and classroom practice, resulting in tangible improvements in student outcomes, teacher development, and school effectiveness. Her initiatives have become best practices in Hungary’s public education system and are frequently referenced in academic and policy discussions alike.

Liza Lee | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr Liza Lee, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan

Prof. Dr. Liza Lee holds a Doctor of Education (E.D.D.) and a Master of Education (E.D.M.) in Music & Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, USA (2002, 1998) 🎓🇺🇸. Her dissertation, Music Education as a Means for Fostering Young Children’s Knowledge of Dual Cultures, reflects her lifelong dedication to multicultural integration through music 🌍🎼. She also earned an M.S. in Music Education (Instrumental Instruction) from Long Island University in 1997 🎷📘, and a B.S. in History from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan in 1985 📜🇹🇼. She holds certifications as a Kulturemusik Professional Teacher/Music Therapist, and Kindermusik Teacher (ages 0–6) from accredited institutions 🧸🎹. Her further training includes Soundbeam Technology and Sound Therapy with Prof. Phil Ellis at the University of Sunderland and several years of music therapy research at the New York Institute for Social Research 🎧🧪. This robust educational background empowers her interdisciplinary teaching and innovation.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Experience

Prof. Dr. Liza Lee has served as Dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences at Chaoyang University of Technology since 2019, leading academic excellence, curriculum development, and faculty mentoring 💼📚. With over two decades of teaching and research in Taiwan and abroad, she has significantly advanced early childhood education, music therapy, and international collaborations 🌐👩‍🎓. She has delivered invited lectures and workshops in over ten countries including The Netherlands 🇳🇱, Belgium 🇧🇪, Sweden 🇸🇪, Albania 🇦🇱, Vietnam 🇻🇳, Austria 🇦🇹, and the Czech Republic 🇨🇿. Dr. Lee has also served as Scholar in Residence at the State University of New York, Ulster 🇺🇸. Her career blends administrative leadership with innovative research and community-based practice 🎶🌈. Through holistic and inclusive methods, she empowers educators and transforms children’s developmental experiences worldwide 🎵🧒. Her mentorship and interdisciplinary insight contribute greatly to global educational reform and innovation.

Honors and Awards

Prof. Dr. Liza Lee is a multi-award-winning scholar recognized both nationally and internationally for her outstanding research and educational contributions 🏅🌏. She received the Best Paper Award at EduCon Tokyo 2025 and the ECEI Best Paper Award in 2021 ✍️🥇. From 2012 to 2024, she received 10+ Industry-Academia Collaboration Project Awards, highlighting her excellence in bridging research with real-world impact 💡🏭. She has been awarded the Flexible Salary Scheme for Exceptional Talents by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan multiple times (2011–2024) 🎖️💰. Her work on integrating music and technology for special needs children earned her national paper and book awards 📘🧠. Dr. Lee’s service-learning projects have won first and second place awards, reflecting her commitment to community engagement ❤️👥. Her research and teaching excellence have made her a celebrated figure in music education, innovation, and inclusive learning around the world 🌍🎶.

Presentations

Prof. Dr. Liza Lee is a distinguished scholar in early childhood education, integrating music technology into innovative teaching methods 🎵👶. Her recent presentations span global conferences, including the ETEN Conference in Belgium (2025) and ISME in Finland (2024), where she explored storytelling, rhythm, and infant-directed music to boost language development and attachment ❤️📚. Her studies on behavioral sequences and movement patterns under music activities highlight the HMEAYC framework’s impact in preschool settings 🧠🎶. Lee’s interdisciplinary work blends technology, education, and developmental psychology—evident in research involving AI, deep learning, and music therapy for children with special needs 🤖💡. She has presented at IEEE and ACM conferences, exploring EMI learning via social media, holistic music approaches, and synesthetic learning pedagogy 🌍🎤. Her dedication to inclusive, tech-enhanced education has made significant contributions to both academic literature and practical pedagogy in Taiwan and beyond 🎓📈. Prof. Lee continues to inspire global discourse on nurturing young learners through music and innovation.

Research Focus

Prof. Dr. Liza Lee’s research centers on music education, therapy, and early childhood development, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and holistic approaches 🎼👶. She explores how music enhances communication, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and cultural identity among children, especially those with special needs or developmental delays 🎧🧩. Her innovative use of Soundbeam technology and multi-sensory environments has transformed therapy and learning for children with disabilities 🌈🛠️. She also studies bilingual education through music and integrates Eastern and Western pedagogical traditions in curriculum design 🌏🎤. Her recent research examines the effectiveness of music education in fostering positive emotions and language skills in foreign language acquisition 📘🗣️. Prof. Lee is a pioneer in applying technology-enhanced music activities in classrooms and therapy settings, producing high-impact studies with international recognition 🧠📊. Her commitment to music as a transformative tool for development and healing has positioned her as a global leader in educational innovation 💡🎶.