Welcome to my site! My name is Zixi Chen (陈梓曦). I am an Assistant Professor of Practice in Computational Social Science at New York University Shanghai, with an affiliation at the Center for Applied Social and Economic Research (CASER).
I obtained my PhD in Measurement and Quantitative Methods from Michigan State University. Prior to joining NYU Shanghai, I completed postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota and served as a visiting scholar at Infinite Campus, a leading EdTech company in the United States.
My research explores the intersection of computational social science and education, focusing on how digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshape educational inequality. Guided by sociological and educational theories, I study how meso-level institutional actors, such as teachers, mediate between macro-level policies and micro-level student outcomes in technology-infused environments.
Methodologically, I develop and apply advanced statistical and computational tools , including social network analysis, hierarchical linear models, natural language processing, and machine learning , to reveal mechanisms of stratification and cultural reproduction within educational systems. My recent projects examine the diffusion of AI education policies, teacher social networks, and cultural measurement of curriculum materials to uncover how institutional practices and policy enactment sustain or challenge disparities.
I actively collaborate across disciplines and with practitioners to address complex societal challenges, aiming to create more equitable educational opportunities in the digital age.
