Excellence Evolved. Futures, Engineered.
Oxford International College (OIC) is proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of three students whose academic research has been accepted for publication while they are still at school — an accomplishment typically reserved for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers.
This remarkable success reflects not only the students’ intellectual ambition and love of learning, but also OIC’s distinctive academic culture: one that encourages curiosity, independence, and the confidence to pursue ideas beyond conventional boundaries.
Publishing at School: A Rare Academic Milestone
Having research accepted by recognised journals and international conferences at such a young age is an extraordinary achievement. It requires academic maturity, critical thinking, and resilience — qualities that OIC actively nurtures through its Electives Programme, where students are encouraged to follow their passions and engage with university-level thinking long before higher education.
These three students exemplify what becomes possible when ambition is matched with expert guidance and the freedom to explore complex, real-world ideas.
Exploring Culture and Mental Health: Angela Lin
Angela Lin’s collaborative research paper, “The Influence of Culture on the Expression and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Through the Lens of Asia,” has been accepted for publication — a remarkable achievement while still at school.
Angela’s academic journey was further distinguished when she secured a place on a highly competitive Oxford Global Summer School in Dubai, an opportunity awarded to a select group of outstanding students from around the world. During the programme, Angela not only developed her research further but went on to produce the best research paper of the cohort, earning Best Research Paper at the event.
Her work explores how cultural beliefs, traditions, and social norms shape the experience, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD across Asian societies. Drawing on psychological theory, cross-cultural research, and real-world case studies, Angela challenges Eurocentric models of mental health and advocates for more culturally responsive therapeutic approaches.
Angela’s work demonstrates not only subject mastery, but also global awareness and academic sophistication — hallmarks of research typically seen at undergraduate level and beyond.
Challenging Economic Theory: Michael Bao
Year 13 student Michael Bao has already achieved the rare distinction of becoming a published academic researcher while still at college.
Inspired by OIC’s Risk and Return elective, Michael’s paper explores how behavioural economics challenges traditional neoclassical economic theory, drawing on the work of Nobel Prize–winning economists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. Going far beyond the A Level syllabus, he examines how real human decision-making frequently deviates from purely rational economic models.
Michael’s research was published by Oxford Global, underscoring the academic credibility of his work. His achievement reflects both intellectual independence and determination — and stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when students are empowered to pursue ideas deeply and ambitiously. Read his paper here: (PDF) Behavioral Economics and the Challenge to Traditional Economic Theory: Integrating Psychological Insights into Economic Decision-Making Models
Faith, Psychology, and Interdisciplinary Research: Lola Zhang
We also congratulate Lola Zhang, whose paper has been accepted and is currently awaiting publication following international peer review.
Her research, “Religious Beliefs and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Exploring Mutual Influences and Potential Roles in Symptom Development,” was accepted for presentation at the 4th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies (ICIHCS 2025).
Lola’s work bridges psychology, humanities, and cultural studies, examining how faith can both influence symptom expression and shape psychological coping mechanisms. Acceptance through a double-blind international peer-review process is a significant academic achievement, and we look forward to celebrating the paper’s formal publication in due course.
Inspired by Teaching Excellence: Mark Walsh, Head of Psychology
Central to these student successes is the guidance and mentorship of our teachers. Mark Walsh, whose teaching exemplifies Oxford International College’s commitment to academic excellence with real-world relevance.
Mark combines intellectual rigour with applied insight, encouraging students not only to master complex ideas but to understand how knowledge operates beyond the classroom. He holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Liverpool, alongside professional qualifications in mental health, and an MA in Social Sciences — a foundation that deeply informs his interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research.
Over the course of his career, Mark has authored or co-authored 72 academic and educational textbooks, reflecting a sustained commitment to shaping understanding at scale and contributing meaningfully to his field. This breadth of scholarship enables him to model academic practice at the highest level, inspiring students to see themselves as researchers, thinkers, and contributors to global conversations.
By nurturing intellectual curiosity, encouraging independent enquiry, and supporting students to share their work confidently, Mark plays a pivotal role in transforming ambition into impact — a hallmark of the OIC academic experience.
“When students are given the freedom to pursue their passions seriously, the results can be extraordinary.”
From Electives to the Future: Introducing OIC Fusion
These achievements also point to the future of academic enrichment at Oxford International College.
Building on the success of the Electives Programme, OIC is proud to introduce OIC Fusion — a pioneering initiative that enables students to contribute to real-world industry challenges, working alongside university professors and active researchers.
Through OIC Fusion, students collaborate on live research projects across disciplines such as AI, medicine, engineering, sustainability, and science — with opportunities for formal research publication, conference presentation, and genuine academic impact.
OIC Fusion represents the next evolution of OIC’s commitment to Futures, Engineered — where academic excellence is not only achieved, but applied.
Defining Futures Through Academic Excellence
At Oxford International College, we don’t just prepare students for top universities — we prepare them to shape the future.
The achievements of Angela, Michael, and Lola demonstrate what becomes possible when talented students are challenged, supported, and inspired within a truly future-focused academic environment. Their success embodies Excellence Evolved — and we are proud to support them as they continue their journeys into higher education and beyond.
Categories: Oxford International College School News
