Dr Wience W. S. Lai is Associate Head and Senior Lecturer in the Division of Languages and Communication at the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). She also serves as Deputy Director of the PolyU CPCE Centre for Pedagogic Research (CPCECPR).

She holds a PhD in Education (Speech and Hearing Sciences) from The University of Hong Kong, and received her earlier training in linguistics and language education at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she obtained an MPhil in Linguistics (Phonology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (English), with Distinction. She earned her BA in Contemporary English Language with First Class Honours from PolyU.

Before joining PolyU CPCE, Dr Lai taught Linguistics and English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (formerly The Open University of Hong Kong), and The Community College at Lingnan University.

At CPCE, she teaches and leads subjects in Phonetics, Academic English, Business English, Oral Communication, Writing (including ethical and AI‑assisted writing) and Grammar, and has held leadership roles including Subject Leader, Programme Leader, and Chairperson of Division Programme Committee, with active involvement in curriculum design and quality assurance.

Dr Lai’s research focuses on phonetics and phonology, speech production and perception, and second language teaching and learning, particularly English pronunciation, word stress, and intelligibility among Cantonese and Mandarin speakers. Her recent work extends to AI‑assisted language learning and assessment, technology‑enhanced pronunciation training, and writing across the curriculum.

She is a Co‑Investigator on major government‑funded projects, including an RGC FDS project (HKD 575,721), A Framework for Understanding the Acceptance of Student‑Created Screencasts by Teachers and Students to Implement Active Learning, and a QESS project (HKD 2,400,000), SELA: AI‑assisted Self‑diagnostic English Literacy Assessment System for Sub‑degree & Degree Students. She has also served as Principal Investigator on multiple internally funded projects.

Dr Lai publishes in peer‑reviewed outlets, serves as a reviewer for the Journal of the International Phonetic Association, and regularly chairs or moderates international conferences. Her teaching excellence was recognised with the HKCC Caring Teacher Award (2013/14).