Before joining HKU, Dr. Chen spent three years as a postdoctoral associate in the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh and also in Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center. By applying statistical and machine learning models to studies of classroom and online discussions, he examined how teacher-student and student-student interactions help produce strong effects on learning. His research interests include teacher-student interaction and classroom processes, teacher professional development, educational statistics, learning analytics, and computer supported collaborative learning. Dr. Chen received his PhD in educational psychology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.