Overview
Xue Han is a Senior Lecturer in Animation Production at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB). She holds an MA in 3D Computer Animation (Distinction) from Bournemouth University (BU) and is currently a PhD candidate at BU.
Xue has worked in the international animation and games industry since 2006, with credits including video game EVE Online (2006), animated feature film Wish Dragon (2021) and a permanent exhibition project for Salisbury Cathedral. Her animated documentary Hunger by the Sea (2017) has been screened internationally and received multiple awards and nominations.
Her teaching bridges academic research and industry practice, with a focus on emerging technologies and real-world application.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- MA 3D Computer Animation (Bournemouth University)
Teaching Qualification
- Postgraduate Certificate Academic Practice (PGCAP) (in progress)
Teaching
Xue has been teaching at AUB for over three years, with a primary focus on Level 5 delivery. She contributes to curriculum design in collaboration with the unit leader of the Production Research and Development unit, which supports students in developing film pitches for Level 6 production. Her practical teaching covers environment design and colour script development for animated films. In addition, she teaches on the Drawing as Research unit at Level 5 and Pre-production unit at Level 6, with an emphasis on digital techniques and industry-relevant workflows.
Research
Research Interests and Projects
- Practice-based PhD research situated at the intersection of animation and psychosocial studies
- Currently writing a book chapter for Routledge Companions on animation within a specific cultural context
- As a member of the AUB AI Research Group, Xue is exploring:
– The role of AI in both the animation industry and higher education
– Ethical implications of AI in teaching, learning, and creative production
Professional Engagement
- Speaker at the 36th Annual Society for Animation Studies Conference, 2025
- Short film screening at Women's Health Community Engagement Public and Patient Involvement Session, 2024
- Speaker at Centre for the Study of Conflict, Emotion and Social Justice Seminar, 2022
- Speaker at The British Audio-Visual Research Network’s Virtual Colloquia, 13 May 2021
- Speaker at Chinese Audio-Visual Cultures Postgraduate Symposium, 07 May 2021
- Illustrator, RedBalloon/ Jurassic Coast Trust, 2021
- Research Assistant/ Illustrator/ Animator, Faculty on Health & Social Sciences, 2021
- Research Illustrator, AHRC funded DICE Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies project, 2021
- Research Assistant, CESJ Research Centre and research seminar Britain on the Couch, 2021
- Animator, Kids Camera Action Productions, 2020
- Animator, The Red Balloon Productions/ Salisbury Cathedral, 2020
- Student Research Assitant/ Animator, Student Research Assitant Scheme, 2017
- Publication, Han, X., McDougall, J., Mott, C. and Sudbury, S., 2018. Hunger by the Sea: Partnerships in The Brave Third Space. International Journal for Students as Partners.
Awards and Prizes
Notable awards/prizes
- Selection of screening (The 36th Annual Society for Animation Studies Conference, 2025)
- Nomination RTS Southern Awards Graphics/ Animation (Royal Television Society, 2021)
- Nomination RTS Southern Awards Short Form Content (Royal Television Society, 2021)
- Selection of screening (The Ethnografilm Festival of Paris, 2020)
- Nomination in Territory Focus MIFA China (Festival International Animation Annecy, 2018)
- Nomination RTS Best Non-Broadcast Award (Royal Television Society, 2018)
- Official Selection (discover.film, 2018)
- Winner Award of Merit (Best Shorts Competition, 2018)
- Nomination for Innovation Award (The AHRC Research in Film Awards, 2017)
- Official Selection LIDF (London International Documentary Festival, 2017)
- Team Video Excellence Prize (CG Society, 2013)
Memberships
Professional Memberships
- Membership in the Society for Animation Studies