Dr Ving Fai Chan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.

Can you tell us a little about your role?

I’m a Senior Lecturer in Global Eye Health at the Centre for Public Health. My role is a blend of teaching, research, and leadership. On the teaching side, I support medical undergraduates, master’s students in public health, and PhD candidates, helping them explore how health challenges play out across different global contexts. It’s a privilege to walk alongside students at the start of their university journey, as well as those who are completing advanced research.

Beyond the classroom, I lead several international research projects and collaborate with ministries of health, NGOs, and community organisations. My focus is on creating equitable access to vision care, particularly for children and women in low- and middle-income countries.

I also serve as the Race Equality Champion at the Centre for Public Health. In this role, I work with students and colleagues to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within our academic community. This has included initiatives such as the Cultural Hour, a student-led programme that celebrates international cultures, and contributing to cross-cultural sensitivity training that supports staff and students alike. Most recently, I’ve published a book called Taste of the World, which brings together recipes and cultural stories from staff and students across Queen’s. It’s been a creative way to highlight our community’s diversity and show how food can connect people across cultures.

How would you describe your research to someone outside of your field?

I often say that my work is about helping people see, so they can live fuller lives. Good eyesight isn’t just about health - it influences education, work, independence, and dignity. Yet in many parts of the world, people who need glasses don’t have access to them. That might sound like a small problem, but for a child, poor vision can mean falling behind in school, and for an older woman, it can mean losing the ability to weave, farm, or run her small business.

So, my research looks at both the technical side - how we can deliver affordable glasses and eye care services at scale - and the social side - how culture, gender, and economics shape whether people actually access and use those services. I also experiment with creative methods like music, animation, and storytelling to help communities engage with eye health in ways that feel familiar and empowering.

What real-world impact does your research have?

A project I’m especially proud of is in Zanzibar, where we worked with craftswomen who were struggling because of age-related vision loss (presbyopia). By simply providing reading glasses, we saw women regaining their livelihoods and confidence, and in some cases, increasing their income. It was a powerful reminder that small, low-cost interventions can have profound ripple effects – not only on individual lives but also on families and communities.

Another strand of my work focuses on children. In South Africa and Nigeria, I’ve been involved in school eye health programmes where children are screened in classrooms and provided with spectacles if needed. Beyond the health benefit, it boosts educational performance and wellbeing. In Tanzania, we trained children themselves to be “Vision Champions,” screening peers and spreading awareness.

Alongside these programmes, I’ve developed arts-based approaches to overcome cultural barriers to care. In Zanzibar, we piloted the use of traditional music, voice drama, and animation to share eye health messages with children and their families. These creative strategies proved especially effective in communities where formal health messages may not resonate. By blending science with local arts and storytelling, we’ve been able to shift attitudes, improve uptake of services, and make health education something that communities feel they own and celebrate.

What's the most fulfilling part of your job at Queen's?

Without question, it’s seeing students grow - whether that’s a first-year undergraduate finding their footing or an international master’s student gaining the confidence to present their dissertation findings to a policy audience. I also find great joy in mentoring early-career researchers, helping them secure fellowships, funding, and leadership roles.

Equally fulfilling is when research comes full circle: moving from an idea tested in a classroom or lab, to a project in a rural village, and then into national policy. Watching something I’ve been part of become embedded in a health system is deeply rewarding.

Can you share a standout moment or experience that's stayed with you during your time at Queen's?

One highlight has been the Cultural Hour initiative, which I helped establish as part of my role as Race Equality Champion. It’s a student-led event where international students share their culture, traditions, and stories with staff and peers. Seeing students light up with pride when their heritage is celebrated – and watching others listen, learn, and connect – has been moving. It reminds me that education is about much more than exams and lectures; it’s about building communities where everyone feels they belong. Of course, being awarded the Teaching Award is the icing on the cake.

On the research side, winning the Staff Excellence Award and the Highest Honour from the Government of Zanzibar for making an impact through my work in Zanzibar was a moment that stands out. It wasn’t just recognition of research, but of the people whose lives were changed through the project.

About Ving

Outside of work, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I love exploring food and culture. One of my proudest recent projects has been publishing Taste of the World, a book that brings together recipes and cultural stories from students and colleagues at Queen’s. It’s been a joyful way to celebrate diversity and to share the richness of our community beyond the classroom.

I also enjoy singing. Music has always been part of my life, and I find it both relaxing and uplifting. Singing gives me a sense of freedom and connection, whether it’s performing with others or just unwinding on my own. In many ways, it complements my professional life, where I’ve also used music and the arts as tools to reach communities in meaningful and creative ways.