Dr. Maggie Zhao

About Maggie

An academic, educator, and coach, Dr. Zhao earned the Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her doctorate from the University of Massachusetts, bringing nearly two decades of experience spanning research, teaching, leadership, and professional practice in the United States and Hong Kong China.

Zhao’s research has centered on human wellbeing and learning, approached through an interdisciplinary lens that integrates psychology, education, humanities, health, technology, and data science. Her scholarly work has appeared in refereed journals such as Nature, Lancet Psychiatry, and Journal of Positive Psychology, as well as conference presentations, invited talks, and research reports, totaling over 100 academic contributions. Zhao has been designated a Fellow of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Maggie is passionate about helping others thrive, particularly young people. She has been elected the President of the International Positive Psychology Association Education Division and invited to be a Program Advisory Council member of the Global Flourishing Conference. Her expertise is internationally recognized, reflected in keynote invitations at local and global conferences as well as engagements in advisory boards, professional committees, and professional consultations in student learning, wellbeing, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and quality assurance. 

Academically, Maggie is fascinated by learning and spreading the science of wellbeing. Non-academically, she is passionate about discovering the art of wellbeing through such as the lens of arts, humanities, wellness, fashion, travel, and curation.