Jemma has had a varied academic career spanning law, politics, language and anthropology. After her bachelors degree, which covered a range of subjects including English language, law, European politics, conflict reporting, and communications and humanitarianism, she then decided to specialise in law and completed a LLM in international law at the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing. After working at the United Nations in Beijing for one year she took a second masters degree at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, her research examined how environmental law and policy has impacted the lives of the Chinese reindeer Evenki. Upon graduation, she worked at the University of Oxford for one year as a research assistant to emeritus scholar Prof. Rosemary Foot before returning to Hong Kong.

 

On becoming a teacher:

Before I took my GCSEs, I was very under-confident in my academic abilities. I always had different ideas to other students, which made me think I must be the one who was wrong because no one else had the same answers as me. Then, I had one teacher in my high school years who helped me realise that being different to my peers wasn’t a bad thing and she encouraged me to embrace it. Her teaching changed everything for me. I went on to become a top student and secured scholarships to study at some of the world’s greatest universities. She changed my life and inspired me to become a teacher. The students. I find my students to be very inspiring. I love talking with them about the future; where they want to study, what country they want to live in, what they want to do, etc. They inspire me to continue striving towards my own goals.

Other interests that reflect on my personality as a teacher:

I have many interests ranging from equestrian sports (eventing and polo!), photography and travel. This reflects my competitive but creative and adventurous personality as both a human being and a teacher.    

A person I find inspirational and why:

My former supervisor at the University of Oxford; Prof. Matthew Erie. Not only does he publish excellent research in his field of cross-cultural legal research, but he encourages his students to push academic boundaries. He encouraged me to take my research to a level I never thought possible.

An Evenki elder named Maria Suo. Before her passing in 2022, she was the chief of the Evenki reindeer herders in Inner Mongolia. I find her inspiring because she led her people through difficult times with dignity and strength. Even in her 90s she was trekking through forests with her reindeer with the speed and vigour of a 20 year old!

Top tip to younger self:

Enjoy every moment and take every opportunity that comes your way! You never know what it may lead to.