QI ZHENG

Hello and Welcome!

I’m Qi Zheng (pronounced Chee-Jan), a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Economics of Education at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and a Research Affiliate with the Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I earned my Ph.D. in Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation (PK–20 focus) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2025. I also hold a master’s degree in the Economics of Education from Peking University and a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies from Northeast Normal University. In addition, I spent a semester as an exchange student at National Taiwan Normal University.

My research is driven by a commitment to advancing educational and societal equity. I focus on generating causal evidence and developing actionable strategies for both practitioners and policymakers. By leveraging experimental and quasi-experimental approaches, I tackle cross-cutting themes in education policy and leadership. My work examines the evolving landscape of college admissions, explores how to address challenging public service environments through both external and intrinsic incentives, and uncovers emerging equity challenges in education systems. I’m passionate about translating research into evidence-based practices that empower educational leaders to make informed decisions that foster greater equity. My first-authored papers have been published in leading journals across disciplines, including Higher Education, Social Science Research, and China Economic Review.

Outside of academia, I find inspiration in traveling, photography, and poetry—I’ve published a collection of poems in Chinese. I’m also a fan of the Golden State Warriors and rarely miss their games!