Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology

Dr. Skylor Zhitian Zhang

Skylor Zhitian Zhang is a research scientist at the Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology. 

Her research interests include creativity, gifted education, and talent development. She explores effective techniques and interventions to foster talent and creativity, such as motivation strategies, self-regulation, and game-based methods.

Skylor Zhitian Zhang is the project manager and lead researcher of the Eu-FairPlay project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which aims to close the equity gap in education through game-based learning. She is also creator of the Gamify Creativity Society (GCS). The GCS focuses on the utility of games to foster creativity and innovation. The Mastermind Group, where people come together to share their expertise, experience, and resources related to the intersection of games, creativity, and innovation, was also founded by Skylor Zhitian Zhang.

Publications

  • Liu, T., Li, P., Zhang, S. Z., & Liu, W. (2022). Using Daily Creativity Planning to Promote Creative Behavior. The Journal of Creative Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.563 
  • Li, P., Zhang, Z. S., & Zhang, Y. (2022). How Creative Self-Concept Leads to Happiness: A Multilevel Chain Mediating Model. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 56(4), 540–552. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.545 
  • How Creative Self-Concept Leads to Happiness: A Multilevel Chain Mediating Model [2022] https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.545 Li, P., Zhang, Z. S., Zhang, Y. (2022) How Creative Self-Concept Leads to Happiness: A Multilevel Chain Mediating Model. The Journal of Creative Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.545
  • The Relationships of Parental Responsiveness, Teaching Responsiveness, and Creativity [2022] https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748321 Zhang, Y., Li, P., Zhang, Z. S., Zhang, X., and Shi, J. (2022) The Relationships of Parental Responsiveness, Teaching Responsiveness, and Creativity: The Mediating Role of Creative Self-Efficacy. Front. Psychol. 12:748321 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748321 
  • Social environmental factors and personal motivational factors associated with creative achievement: A cross‐cultural perspective [2021] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jocb.463 Zhang, Z. S., Hoxha, L., Aljughaiman, A., Arënliu, A., Gomez‐Arizaga, M. P., Gucyeter, S., ... & Ziegler, A. (2021). Social environmental factors and personal motivational factors associated with creative achievement: A cross‐cultural perspective. The Journal of Creative Behavior. 55(2), 410-432. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.463
  • From implicit theories to creative achievements: The mediating role of creativity motivation in the relationship between stereotypes, growth Mindset, and creative achievement [2021] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jocb.446 Li, P., Zhang, Z. S., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Nunez, M., & Shi, J. (2021). From implicit theories to creative achievements: The mediating role of creativity motivation in the relationship between stereotypes, growth Mindset, and creative achievement. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 55(1), 199-214. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.446 
  • Social perceptions of a creative person: Stereotypes and prejudice of a creative student among German adolescents [2020] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10400419.2020.1821565 Zhang, Z. S., Hopp, M., Vialle, W., & Ziegler, A. (2020). Social perceptions of a creative person: Stereotypes and prejudice of a creative student among German adolescents. Creativity Research Journal, 32(3), 246- 258. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2020.1821565 
  • Creative, thus connected: The power of sociometric creativity on friendship formation in gifted adolescents—A longitudinal network analysis of gifted students [2019] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cad.20324 Hopp, M. D., Zhang, Z. S., Hinch, L., O'Reilly, C., & Ziegler, A. (2019). Creative, thus connected: The power of sociometric creativity on friendship formation in gifted adolescents—A longitudinal network analysis of 4 / 7 gifted students. New directions for child and adolescent development, 2019(168), 47-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20324 
  • Creativity motivation construct development and cross-cultural validation [2018]
    https://www.psychologie-aktuell.com/fileadmin/Redaktion/Journale/ptam-2018-4/06_PTAM_Q4_Zhang.pdf
    Zhang, Z., Hoxha, L., Aljughaiman, A., Gomez-arizaga, M.P., Gucyeter, S., Ponomareva, I.......& Ziegler, A. (2018). Creativity motivation construct development and cross-cultural validation. Psychological Test and Assessment Modeling, 60(4), 517–530
  • Gifted education in China [2017] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331186X.2017.1364881 Zhang, Z. (2017). Gifted education in China. Cogent Education,https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2017.1364881 
  • Parental goal orientations for their kindergarten children: Introducing the Nuremberg Parental Goal Orientation Scales (NuPaGOS) [2015] https://www.psychologie-aktuell.com/fileadmin/download/ptam/2-2015_20150624/03_Reutlinger.pdf Reutlinger, M., Ballmann, A., Vialle, W., Zhang, Z., & Ziegler, A. (2015). Parental goal orientations for their kindergarten children: Introducing the Nuremberg Parental Goal Orientation Scales (NuPaGOS). Psychologic al Test and Assessment Modeling, 57(2), 163–178.
  • Spotlight: The Talented Youth Initiative: Interview with Xiaokai Wang [2021] Nunez, Miguelina., & Zhang, Z. S., Spotlight: The Talented Youth Initiative: Interview with Xiaokai Wang, (2021, June). World Talent Web: Newsletter of the World Giftedness Center.

Seminars and conferences

  • Webinar: Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2020 ] Module III: Differential-psychological aspects of learning and teaching
  • Webinar: Motivating Creative Talents [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2020 ] Module III: Differential-psychological aspects of learning and teaching
  • Seminar: Nurturing Creativity: Research Guided Programs and Strategies [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2019 ] Module III: Differential-psychological aspects of learning and teaching
  • Seminar: Introduction to Gifted Education in School [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2019 ] Module III: Differential-psychological aspects of learning and teaching
  • Seminar: Creativity and Motivation [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2016 ] Module III: Differential-psychological aspects of learning and teaching
  • What makes them creatively gifted? A cross-cultural study of personal and environment factors associated with creativity achievement [ Dublin, Ireland, Aug 2018 ] Presenter: 16th Conference of the European Council for High Ability (ECHA)
  • Mapping creativity through social-perception, self-perception and objective creative performance of gifted students: a longitudinal study [ Dublin, Ireland, Aug 2018 ] Co-presenter and co-author: 16th International Conference of the European Council for High Ability (ECHA)
  • Creative, thus connected: The Power of Perceived Creativity on Friendship Formation among Gifted Students – A Longitudinal and Social Network Analysis [ Nuremberg, Germany, Oct 2018 ] Co-author: 2nd European-American Summit on Talent Development Creativity Motivation [ Budapest, Hungary, Mar 2017 ] Presenter: Youth Platform Summit, European Talent Support Network (ETSN) Recommended and sponsored by the South German Talent Centre (European Talent Support Network)

Workshops

  • Co-creation Workshop: Game-based Learning and Educational Equity [ Eu-Fairplay Network Meeting (Tampere) , 2022 ]
  • Teacher Training Workshop: Using Game-based Learning in Teaching Chinese [ Confucius Institute (Nürnberg) , 2022 ]
  • Creativity Workshop: six-thinking-hats [ Turn Around Speakers Educational Consultant Company, 2022 ]
  • Online Workshop: How Do We Measure Creativity? [ 1st WorldGiftedness Center International Conference, 2021 ]
  • Nurturing Creativity in the Classroom [ Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), 2018 ]

Awards

  • Full Scholarship for Doctoral Researchers Abroad 
    Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) [ Oct 2015 ]
    Full Scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) for Doctoral Researchers Abroad (48 months)
  • Short-term Scholarships for Master’s Degree Exchange Students in Germany
    German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) [ Oct 2014 ]
    Short-term Scholarships for Master’s Degree Exchange Students in Germany (3 months)
  • The First Prize Scholarship for Master Students
    Beijing Normal University [ 2012 ]
  • The Provincial Government Scholarship
    Yanbian Univerisity [ 2010 ]
  • The First Prize Scholarship
    Yanbian University [ 2008 ]

Curriculum Vitae

since 11/2022
Research scientist and project manager

at the Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology

11/2017 - 10/2021
Researcher, technical writer and education content designer

at the World Giftedness Center in Nuremberg

10/2015 - 11/2021
PhD in Educational Psychology

at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

2015 - 2021
Research associate and lecturer

at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

08/2012 - 07/2015
Master of Arts in Educational Assessment and Evaluation

at Beijing Normal University (China)

08/2008 - 07/2012
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

at Yanbian University (China)