Meet the team
Meet the 2025 Writing Coaches team!
Xueyin Zha (she / her)
Hello! My name is Zha. I'm in the final year of my PhD in International Relations, researching the wicked problem of global AI governance. I love thinking and writing about complex topics with many moving pieces. I also enjoy helping others express complex ideas clearly, coherently, and powerfully. Beyond my PhD work, I find balance through meditation and movement – you'll find me doing everything from jogging and calisthenics to aerial silks and dance.
Tuukka Kaikkonen (he/him)
Hi! I'm Tuukka, a PhD student in International Relations. My research interrogates the concept of luck in international politics. My own academic journey has been far from linear, and I see writing in much the same way: as a process of exploration and experimentation through which we discover something new. The challenge often lies in clearly communicating those discoveries, and that is where I come in--as a guide to help students achieve their potential as academic writers. Outside of research and academic work, I practise kendō, a Japanese martial art that offers a refreshing counterweight to my scholarly pursuits.
Tony Edwards (he/him)
Hello, I am a PhD student researching Chinese religious, intellectual, and political history from the late Qing to the Republic. Trained in the scholastic discipline of Sinology, my academic background is in Chinese Studies (Mandarin) and Translation Studies (Classical Chinese). I have tutored several courses at the ANU and am passionate about helping students develop their critical thinking and academic writing skills. Outside of academia, my interests include playing the harpsichord, drawing, making cocktails, and reading extensively in a broad range of fields.
Jun Kim (she/her)
Hi, I'm Jun and I'm a PhD student in the School of Demography. Currently, I'm investigating South Korean fertility, with a focus on the extent to which gendered issues influence Koreans’ decisions regarding childbirth. Basically, I'm looking into why Koreans aren't having babies! I love working with young people and especially enjoy sharing my love and passion for writing. Hopefully, through working with me, you'll come to love it as much as I do. As for my hobbies, I love binging sitcoms, playing animal crossing and spending quality time with my loved ones.
Matthew Cunneen (he/him)
Hello! I'm Matt. I'm a PhD student in the School of History, researching the drivers of former convict departures from the Australian colonies. In my undergraduate degree, I got to indulge in studying history, political science, philosophy, and economics. Enthusiastic mentors passionate about helping students develop their academic skills assisted me along the way, inspiring me to do the same for others. Outside of academia, you can catch me swimming, reading and cooking.
Janet Davey (she/they)
Hi! I'm Janet. I’m a PhD candidate in Chinese Linguistics researching how native Chinese speakers understand idiomatic expressions. As someone who's studied science and humanities courses at ANU and abroad, I know how tricky academic writing across disciplines can be. I'm passionate about clear, accessible writing and looking forward to sharing what I've learned to help you develop your writing voice. When I'm not puzzling over Chinese idioms, you'll find me at the gym teaching group fitness classes—just like writing, it's all about building our strengths and improving bit by bit!
Contact
- ANU Library Academic Skills
- +61 2 6125 2972
- Send email