Educational Qualifications

2013
Doctor of Philosophy, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

2008
Master of Arts, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China

2003
Bachelor of Arts, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China

Academic and Professional Experience

2025 – Present   
Associate Professor, Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences

2020 – 2025       
Principal Researcher and Senior Lecturer, Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences

2015 – 2019       
Senior Researcher, Institute for Adult Learning

2014 – 2015      
Research Associate, English Language Institute of Singapore, Ministry of Education

2013 – 2014       
Research Associate, Office of Education Research, NIE

2012 – 2013       
Lecturer (Part-time), English Language & Literature Academic Group, NIE

2008 – 2013   
PhD Research Student (NTU Research Scholarship), English Language & Literature Academic Group, NIE, NTU

2003 – 2008     
Lecturer, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China

Selected Publications

BOOKS

Chen, Z., Murphy, I., Bound, H., & Bergman, M. (forthcoming). Use of dynamic capabilities and seven resources in action: Case studies of adult learning training providers. Routledge. 

Chen, Z., Cordie, L., Schröter, H., & Zeng, X.D. (Ed.). (forthcoming). Navigating the AI frontier in adult education: International practices and perspectives from adult learning, training and higher education.  Routledge.  

REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Bergman, M., Chen, Z., Bound, H., & Bergman, Z. (2025). The future is now: A comparative case study of three innovative adult education approaches in Singapore. The International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 15(1), 1-16. 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.143534

Chen, Z., Pavlova, M., Tangen, C. (2024). Adult Educators as lifelong learners in Singapore: factors influencing lifelong learning participation and professional growth, Asia Pacific Education Review, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-024-10025-y

Chen, Z., & Murphy, I. (2023). Domain and pedagogical competency and currency: A framework for capability development of adult educators. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 29(1), 273-293. https://doi.org/10.1177/14779714221125494

Chen, Z., & Tan, B. Z. (2023). An international comparison of online learning transition during COVID-19. eLearn 2023, 3, Article 1 (03-01-2023). https://doi.org/10.1145/3590200.3585390

Chen, Z., & binte Hardy, S. (2023). Snapshot of the present, glimpse into the future: impact of COVID-19 on higher education and adult training. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation,17, (1/2), 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMLO.2023.10044417

Chen, Z. & Aryadoust, V. (2023). Testing the measurement invariance of the work motivation scale for training and adult education in a nationwide study of Singapore. Current Psychology,42,3122–3133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01579-w

Chen, Z., & Ramos, C. (2022). Work satisfaction of adult educators in Singapore: an empirical analysis. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 76(3), 594–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2022.2049624

Watermeyer, R. Chen, Z. & Ang, B. J. (2022) ‘Education without limits’: The digital resettlement of post-secondary education and training in Singapore in the COVID-19 era, Journal of Education Policy, 37(6), 861-882.  DOI: 10.1080/02680939.2021.1933198

Chen, Z., Chia, A., & Bi, X. (2021). Promoting innovative learning in training and adult education – a Singapore Story, Studies in Continuing Education, 43(2), 196-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2020.1772224

Chen, Z., Pavlova, M., & Ramos, C. (2021). A systematic approach to adult educators’ professional development in Singapore: challenges and future developments. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 40 (5-6), 455-470.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2021.1978006

Chen, Z., & Goh, C. (2014). Teacher knowledge about oral English instruction and teacher profiles: An EFL perspective. Teacher Development. 18(1), 81-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2013.854270

Chen, Z., & Goh, C. (2011). Teaching oral English in higher education: challenges to EFL teachers. Teaching in Higher Education, 16 (3), 333 - 345. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2010.546527

REFEREED BOOK CHAPTERS:

Chen, Z. & Tan, B. Z. (2024). Use of learning technologies in training and adult education in Singapore. In A.N. Lee & Y. Nie (eds.), Future-oriented Learning and Skills Development for Employability: Insights from Singapore and Asia-Pacific Contexts, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-8584-1_9.

Chen, Z. (2023). Building Strong Adult Education Partnerships for the Wellbeing of the Aviation Workforce During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In S. Tawiah & I. Setlhodi (Eds.), Promoting the Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Marginalised Individuals Through Adult Education (pp. 1-16). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6625-4.ch001

Bound, H., & Chen, Z. (2022). The dynamic landscape of adult education in Singapore. In Lee, Y. J. (ed), Education in Singapore, Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects 66. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9982-5_8.

Goh, C., & Chen, Z. (2013). Teaching spoken English in China: The relationship between beliefs and characteristics of university EFL teachers. In S. Ben Said & L. J. Zhang (Eds.), Language teachers and teaching: Global perspectives, local initiatives (pp.109 – 126). New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203795156-11

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS AND BEST PAPERS:

Chen, Z., & Tan, B. Z. (2024, September). Unlocking AI’s Potential to Enhance Adult Learning and Training. Keynote speech at the SAPE Annual Conference 2024, 25 to 27 September 2024, at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Convention Centre, Singapore.

Chen, Z. (2023, May). Demystifying work motivation, job quality and work effort. Keynote speech at the 2nd World Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Science 2023, London, UK.

Chen, Z. & D. Kwok. (2021). Factors impacting training and adult education providers’ business performance: the Singapore context. Paper presented at the ICVET 2021 International Conference on Vocational Education and Technology, Tokyo, Japan. [Best Presentation Award]

Chen, Z. (Jul, 2017). Blended Learning in Singapore’s training and adult education sector: key characteristics and challenges. PAPER PRESENTED AT the Second Canadian International Conference on Advances in Education, Teaching & Technology 2017, Toronto, Canada. [Best Presenter Award]

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