Dr. Zhao is Assistant Professor and Director of Research-Chinese Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary. Her research in North America and China explores one broad question: facing rampant achievement anxiety and social stress, how can educators and parents promote children’s academic success and at the same time protect their mental health and socioemotional wellbeing?
Trained in the fields of human development, education, and prevention science, Dr. Zhao conducts research with youth and families from diverse communities to identify the risk- and protective factors that influence their wellbeing. She works with the Galileo Educational Network to develop a professional learning program for teachers, parents and youth leaders on youth mental health and positive development. She also collaborates with and consults for schools and organizations in China on how to foster Chinese children’s social emotional learning and their development of intercultural competence.
