X. (Xinyue) Wu
Current Position
PhD Researcher in Sociology
September 2022 – now
Supervisors: Prof. Rafael Wittek, Prof. Basak Bilecen
Education
PhD in Sociology
University of Groningen, Netherlands (2022–2026, expected)
Dissertation: Four-paper project investigating how early socialisation and political legacies shape intra-group relationships, political dispositions, media attitudes, and nationalism among highly skilled Chinese migrants in Germany
PhD in Cultural Anthropology
Nankai University, China (2017–2021)
Dissertation: Food and Embodied Experiences in the Lens of Time and Space: Based on Transnational Ethnography of Quibei's Chilli Food (Nominated for Best PhD Dissertation)
Visiting PhD Researcher
University of Sydney, Australia (2019–2020)
Gender and Cultural Studies
Supervisor: Prof. Elspeth Probyn
Master of Education (Higher Education)
Yunnan Normal University, China (2006–2009)
Bachelor of Education (Preschool Education)
Shaanxi Normal University, China (2002–2006)
Publications (first- and corresponding-author)
Forthcoming
Wu, X., Bilecen, B., & Wittek, R. (2026). Beyond Democratic Exposure: A Cognitive-Motivational-Emotional Analysis of Political Disaffection Among Highly Skilled Chinese Migrants in Germany. Current Sociology.
Under Review
Wu, X., Bilecen, B., & Wittek, R. (revising for resubmission). Atomised Community: The Role of Values in Intra-group Relationships among Highly Skilled Chinese Migrants in Germany. Migration Studies.
Wu, X., Bilecen, B., & Wittek, R. (under review). Scripted Distrust: How Authoritarian Socialisation Shapes Migrant Media Attitudes Across Contexts. Migration Studies.
Wu, X., Bilecen, B., & Wittek, R. (under review). Instrumental Nationalism: How Authoritarian Socialisation Shapes National Identification in Transnational Contexts. Current Sociology.
Conference Presentations
"Atomised Community: The Role of Values in Intra-group Relationships among Highly Skilled Chinese Migrants in Germany"
Annual Meeting of the Dutch Sociological Association (NSV), June 2025
"A Paradigm Shift in Food Anthropology"
SYSU Second International Conference on Food and Culture, April 2018
Upcoming: IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network) Annual Conference, July 2026
Research Grants & Funding
Co-Investigator (2018–2020)
Research on Chinese National Culture and National Identity
Ministry of Education Major Social Science Research Project, China (No. 17JZD043)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Tongkai Yuan
Professional Affiliations
Member, International Sociological Association (ISA), 2024–present
Member, European Sociological Association (ESA), 2024–present
Member, IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network), 2024–present
Research Methods Expertise
Qualitative Methods:
Qualitative Research Design • In-depth Interviewing • Multi-sited Ethnography • Reflexive Thematic Analysis • Discourse Analysis • Comparative Case Study Methods
Software:
NVivo • Atlas.ti
Fieldwork Experience:
Germany (2023) • Australia (2019–2020) • China (2018–2019)
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin): Native
English: Fluent (Academic proficiency)