Dr. Yiran Zhao obtained her Ph.D. degree in Educational Theory and Policy from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA. Prior to that, she completed her Ed.M. degree in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the USA. But her undergraduate training was in Communications with a concentration in media market survey and analysis. Dr. Zhao has a wide range of future-oriented research interests including the development of 21st century competencies, particularly creativity, the psychological processes that enable self-directed learning, technology in education, education equity, and education innovations. Dr. Zhao has also worked with the OECD on the Future of Education and Skills 2030 project where she contributed to the development of the Learning Compass, assisted the curriculum analysis, and led efforts to incorporate student voice into international policy initiatives. Her passion in helping young people develop the ability to navigate their own life has also led her to work with Flow Learning, a San-Francisco-based education start-up that provides young people with life design courses and life coaching services.

Equity in education

Creativity

21st century competencies

Technology in Education

Comparative and International Education

Education policy

EDS 404 The School of Tomorrow: Managing Change in Global Education

EDS417 Child and Adolescent Mental Health