I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Learning Sciences Program at the Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University. I am also a researcher at Technology, Learning, & Cognition Lab. My research focuses on AI in education, learning analytics, adaptive/personalized learning, machine learning, and natural language processing. I have been an educational data specialist for 5 years, supporting many education companies & organizations (McGraw Hill, Read to Lead, Moonshot Academy, LingoAce, etc.) in the U.S. and China. Beyond that, I founded an EdTech community named Tiz EdTech (a member of AWS EdStart) to support 2,000+ educators and 15,000+ followers.

🔥 News

2025.07: 🤖🤖 I will present at the 26th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) in Palermo, Italy (July 23rd, 18:30) to introduce our new AI agent - SSRLBot.
2025.04: 🎉🎉 I’ve presented at the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting on April 27th, 1:30-3:00pm (The Colorado Convention Center, Floor: Ballroom Level, Four Seasons Ballroom 1).

📝 Publications

Peer-Reviewed Article Publications

Gao, J., Wei, S., & Dubé, A. (2024). Evaluating Learners’ Online Learning Experience of Informal Learning Environments: A LIWC Analysis. Journal of Applied Instructional Design. https://doi.org/10.59668/1269.15691

Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings

Huang, X., Gao, J., & Wu, H. (2025). SSRLBot: Designing and Developing an LLM-based Agent using Socially Shared Regulated Learning. Proceeding from Artificial Intelligence in Education: 26th International Conference, AIED 2025, Palermo, Italy.
Gao, J., & Li, S. (2025). Can Students Use ChatGPT for Academic Purposes? The Potential and Challenges of Using Large Language Models in Post-Secondary Education. Antistasis, 14(1), 144–157. Retrieved from https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/antistasis/article/view/34578
Gao, J., & Dubé, A. K. (2024). COMPARISON OF LEARNING EXPERIENCE AMONG INFORMAL LEARNING APPS. In ICERI2024 Proceedings (pp. 337-341). IATED. 10.21125/iceri.2024.0173
Gao, J., Huang, X., Dubé, A. K., Lobczowski, N. G. (2024, June). Exploring Duolingo User’s Learning Experience Through Text Mining. Proceeding from 2024 ISLS Annual Meeting, Buffalo, U.S.. https://repository.isls.org/handle/1/11014

Conference Posters and Presentations

Gao, J., Song, Y., Cutumisu, M., & Dubé, A. (2025, April 23-27). The Application of ChatGPT Across Educational Levels: A Systematic Review. Roundtable Session. Annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference, Denver, CO.
Gao, J. & Dubé, A.K. (2024, November). Comparison of Learning Experience Among Informal Learning Apps. Paper. 17th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain.
Gao, J., Huang, X., & Dubé, A.K. (2024, October). Studying Mobile Learning Experience via Text Mining of App Store User Reviews. Poster. AECT International Convention 2024, Kansas City, U.S..
Lobczowski, N. G., Li, S., Chen, M., Huang, X., Gao, J., & Xie, H. (2024, August). Exploring socioemotional tendencies to situate individuals within groups. Symposium. 2024 EARLI Sig 8 International Conference on Motivation and Emotion, Bern, Switzerland.
Huang, X., & Gao, J. (2024, August). A Comprehensive User Experience Analysis of Emotional Tones and Key Themes in ChatGPT Reviews. Poster. APA Convention 2024, Seattle, U.S..
Gao, J., Huang, X., Dubé, A. K., Lobczowski, N. G. (2024, June). Exploring Duolingo User’s Learning Experience Through Text Mining. Poster. 2024 ISLS Annual Meeting, Buffalo, U.S..
Gao, J., & Li, S. (2024, May). Can Students Use ChatGPT for Academic Purposes? The Potential and Challenges of Using Large Language Models on Education. Poster. 13th Atlantic Education Graduate Student Conference, Canada
Gao, J. & Li, S. (2024, April). Can SEL Improve Mathematics Performance? Exploring the Relationship Between Students’ Social-Emotional Learning and Academic Achievement. Poster. 2024 Human Development Conference, Montreal.
Gao, J., Alam, S., & Dube, A. (2024, April). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Digital Mathematics Interventions for K-12 Mathematical Learning Disabilities Students. Roundtable. 2024 AERA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia.
Zhang, Y., Beneche, B., Xie, H., Gao, J., Huang, X.,… & Lobczowski, N. (2024, April). Effectiveness of technology integration on secondary mathematics students’ achievements in formal classroom settings: A meta-analysis. Paper. 2024 AERA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia.
Gao, J., Wei, S., & Dubé, A. (2023, October). Evaluating Learners’ Online Learning Experience of Informal Learning Environments: A LIWC Analysis. Poster. 2023 AECT International Convention, Orlando, U.S..
Gao, J. & Wang, Y. (2023, August). Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Social-Emotional Learning Skills and Student Anxiety. Poster. APA 2023 Convention, Washington D.C., U.S.
Wang, Y., & Gao, J. (2023, March). Measuring the effect of implementing school-wide bullying prevention training on student sense of safety. Paper. 2023 4th European Advanced Educational Technology Conference, Oxford, U.K.. Best presentation Award.
Gao, J. (2023, March). Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Social- Emotional Learning Skills and Student Anxiety. Poster. EGSS Conference 2023, Montreal, Quebec
Gao, J. (2017, December). Columbia University (CU) Event Platform. Poster. 2017 Teachers College Innovation Award, New York, U.S..
Gao, J., Pepe, S., Chen, C. (2017, April). NYC Foster Care Data Challenge Report. Paper. 2017 Authorea NYC Foster Care Data Challenge, New York, U.S..

Under Review Articles

Wang, T., Zhang, J., Li, S., Gao, J., Huang, L., & Lajoie, S. P. (submitted). Unravelling dynamic trajectories of epistemic emotions in a technology-enhanced problem-solving task: A multimodal data approach. British Journal of Educational Psychology.
Zhang, Y., Gao, J., Huang, X., Li, S., Wu, M., Lin, Y., & Lobczowski, N. G. (under review). The Effectiveness of Technology Integration in Secondary Mathematics: A Meta-Analysis from an Activity Theory Perspective. Manuscript Under Review.
Alam, S., Gao, J., & Dubé, A.K. (under review). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Digital Mathematics Interventions for K-12 Mathematical Learning Disabilities Students. Manuscript Under Review.

💻 Work and Research Experience

2025.01 - present, Senior Data Quality Specialist, Cohere, Toronto
2024.01 - present, Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montreal
2023.09 - present, Affiliate Member, CREATE Lab, McGill University, Montreal
2022.09 - present, Researcher, Technology, Learning and Cognition Lab, McGill University, Montreal
2021.02 - present, Founder, Tiz EdTech, Shanghai
2022.09 - 2023.05, Graduate Student Assistant, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University, Montreal
2022.09 - 2023.05, Conference Co-chair, Education Graduate Students’ Society, McGill University, Montreal
2021.11 - 2022.08, Business Intelligence Specialist, LingoAce, Beijing
2020.06 - 2022.11, Senior Data Analyst, Moonshot Academy, Beijing
2018.06 - 2020.06, Data Scientist, Educational Alliance, New York
2018.01 - 2020.05, Research Assistant, Kindness.org, New York
2017.09 - 2018.05, Data Analyst Intern, McGraw Hill, New York
2016.09 - 2018.05, Research Assistant, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York

📖 Education

2022.09 - present, Ph.D. Candidate in Learning Sciences, McGill University
2016.09 - 2018.05, M.S. in Learning Analytics, Columbia University

🎖 Honors and Awards

2025-2028, FRQSC Doctoral Research Scholarship, Quebec Government
2025, Loop Lab Award, McGill University
2024, Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University
2024, The Most Popular Bot Award, Coze AI Bot Challenge: Learning Hackathon, ByteDance
2022-2025, Graduate Excellence Fellowship, McGill University
2017, EdTech Innovation Award [Top 8], Teachers College, Columbia University

💬 Invited Talks

2022.03, Invited Presentation. 2022 Columbia University U.S.-China Education Forum, Columbia University, New York.
2021.12, Invited Panel. Columbia Global Center Alumni Panel Talk, Beijing.
2021.05, Invited Presentation. Ed for Growth (EFG) Workshop, Beijing.
2020.10, Invited Presentation. Data Science and Education Association (Office of Graduate Student Life & Development, Columbia University) Panel Talk, New York.
2019.09, Invited Panel. 2019 Columbia University Career Week (Career Education & Professional Development), New York.
2019.09, Invited Presentation. EdWithU Workshop, New York.

🤖 Projects as founder

ReferEngine: an AI agent that assists you with your academic research.🏅
SSRLBot: a Learning Science AI agent supporting students with health education.
LearningAnalytics WeChat Official Account: an EdTech media platform.
Data Science and Education Association: a student-led organization dedicated to the growing conversation around the use of data in education.
Shake NYC Media: a media platform about New York City.

🌎 Not about Research

A side job as a photographer, having participated in shooting New York Fashion Week for five consecutive years（2016-2020）.
Check my Vogue portfolio
A devoted fan of Harry Potter.
Passionate about exploring entrepreneurial ventures.
A non-traditional researcher.

Jie Gao