This paper reports an original study into possibilities for internationalising Western doctoral education programmes by engaging the bilingual capabilities international research students use through their informal globally networked learning. This study is situated in the debates over research which centres on learning Western knowledge through English, and studies arguing for engaging non-Western knowledge through bilingual education. This question is explored through evidence from a group of female Chinese research students and their uses of English and Chinese to engage in different forms of globally networked learning. The term bilingual research literacy is used to describe the use of two languages for research purposes which may contribute to internationalising Western doctoral education programmes.