Research

Hsin-Chueh (Lily) Chen, Ph.D.

Independent Researcher 

Research Direction

My research focuses on AI in Education and AI in Medical Education, with particular attention to how generative AI and conversational agents can scaffold collaborative and inquiry-based learning. My work spans three connected areas: (1) computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and AI-supported scaffolding for argumentation and inquiry; (2) AI applications in medical and health professions education, including simulation-based training; and (3) STEM and science education, with a focus on learning analytics and cross-cultural comparisons of learning outcomes.

I am particularly interested in extending this work toward GenAI-powered systems that support human-AI collaboration in education and care settings (e.g., dementia caregiver support systems).

Education

Ph.D., Graduate Institute of Science Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan (2012–2021)

M.S., Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (2007–2009)

B.S., Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (2003–2007)

Positions

• Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. of Business Administration, Tunghai University, Taiwan (2025–2026)

• Visiting Scholar, Dept. of Instructional Technology, University of Twente, the Netherlands (2023–2025)

• Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2021–2023)

• Visiting Scholar, Dept. of Instructional Technology, University of Twente, the Netherlands (2020–2021)

Research Expertise

Digital learning & educational technology; AI applications in education; computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL); STEM education & interdisciplinary curriculum design; learning analytics & educational data mining.

Funded Research

• Using a two-stage decision-making system to investigate optimal caregiving strategies for family caregivers of dementia patients. National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) — Co-Principal Investigator (since Feb 2025). Aug 1, 2024–Jul 31, 2026.

• Social network and discourse analysis of learners’ communication patterns in a collaborative game on climate change. Behavior Data Science Incubator, University of Twente (Postdoctoral Researcher). Jan 1–Jun 30, 2024.

• Dragon Gate Program (NSTC) — Overseas training grant. Project: Developing an evidence-based digital climate-change-literacy collaborative learning curriculum combining AI-based automated dialogue analysis and multiple learning analytics techniques. Sep 1, 2023–Aug 31, 2025 (returned early).

• NSTC grant for recruiting doctoral-level researchers in the humanities and social sciences. Project: Investigating the influence of engagement in a climate-change game on the evolution of collaborative problem-solving strategies using cognitive network analysis. Aug 1, 2023–Jul 31, 2024 (withdrawn following acceptance into the Dragon Gate Program).

• NSTC Science Popularization Education Program. Project: Spinning Around! Biomedical Science at Your Fingertips. Aug 1, 2022–Jul 31, 2023 (co-author and co-implementer; not formally listed as research personnel per NSTC regulations).

• European Union–Taiwan Research Platform (NSTC) — Postdoctoral Researcher, project-level coordination across sub-projects. Dec 2021–Jul 2023.

• NTNU Higher Education Sprout Project — Award for Outstanding Talent, Short-Term Overseas Research (MOE subsidy). Mar 13–Jul 31, 2021 (returned early).

• Graduate Students Study Abroad Program (MOST). Project: A cross-cultural study of Dutch and Taiwanese secondary school students’ collaborative learning of evolution concepts using the Next-Lab online inquiry platform. Mar 13, 2020–Mar 12, 2021.

• NSTC grant for hosting and attending international academic conferences — supported attendance and paper presentation at the 2nd Eurasian Conference on Educational Innovation (ECEI 2019). Jan 27–29, 2019.

• Mobile Health Device and Case-Based Health Assessment Database Service-Learning Course Cluster Expansion Project. Ministry of Education — Co-Investigator. Aug 1, 2012–Jul 31, 2013.

• Mobile Health Device and Case-Based Health Assessment Database Service-Learning Course Cluster Project. Ministry of Education — Co-Investigator. Feb 1–Jul 31, 2012.

• Investigating the impact of embedding multi-level assessment in technology-enhanced inquiry-based learning environments. National Science and Technology Council — Research Assistant (part-time). Feb 2012–Jul 2015.

• Volunteer Service Course — Health and Nutrition Community Volunteers. Ministry of Education — Teaching Assistant. Jul 2011–Jan 2012.

Awards & Honors

• 2025: SDPS 2025 Doctoral Symposium, 2nd Place. Society for Design and Process Science (SDPS), Malta.

• 2023: Received NSTC’s Dragon Gate Program grant.

• 2021: Elected member of Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society, ROC.

• 2021: Awarded NTNU’s Higher Education Sprout Project scholarship for short-term overseas research (MOE subsidy).

• 2020: Awarded MOST’s Graduate Students Study Abroad Program scholarship.

• 2019: Recipient of MOST’s grant for international academic conference participation.

• 2014: Awarded NTNU’s Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship.

• 2013: Honorable Mention, Taipei Medical University Entrepreneurship Bootcamp.

Publications

Journal Articles

• Chen, H.-C., Lin, M.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2025). Exploring diverse views of Taiwanese Christians on teaching evolution from the perspective of worldviews. Science & Education, 34(3), 1433–1460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-023-00493-w (SSCI/SCIE, IF 2.5, Q1)

• Chen, P.-C., Chen, H.-C., Liu, W.-H., & Lin, J.-C. (2024). Improving medical students’ recognizing surgery of glioblastoma removal/decompressive craniectomy via physical lifelike brain simulator training. BMC Medical Education, 24, Article 632. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05621-w (SSCI/SCIE, IF 3.2, Q1)

• Chung, W.-M., Chen, H.-C., Lin, M.-C., Chen, P.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2024). What are statisticians contemplating? A thirty-year literature review and trend analysis on statistical thinking. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(12), em2552. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15708 (Scopus)

• Chen, H.-C., Gijlers, H., Sui, C.-J., & Chang, C.-Y. (2023). Asian students’ cultural orientation and computer self-efficacy significantly related to online inquiry-based learning outcomes on the Go-Lab platform. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32, 743–758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-023-10058-9 (SSCI/SCIE, IF 5.5, Q1)

• Sui, C.-J., Chen, H.-C., Cheng, P.-H., & Chang, C.-Y. (2023). The Go-Lab platform as an inquiry-learning space: Investigation into students’ technology acceptance, knowledge integration, and learning outcomes. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32, 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-022-10008-x (SSCI/SCIE, IF 5.5, Q1)

• Lin, M.-C., Chen, H.-C., Liu, H.-H., & Chang, C.-Y. (2022). Implementation of e-learning in New Taipei City during COVID-19. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(4), em2092. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11889 (Scopus)

• Chen, P.-C., Chang, C.-Y., & Chen, H.-C. (2025). Teachers’ tendencies and influencing factors in using games for science teaching: A review study (2000–2022) [translated from Chinese; originally published in Science Education Monthly]. Science Education Monthly, (480), 18–42.

• Lin, M.-C., Chen, H.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2024). The relationship between elementary school students’ computer self-efficacy and learning satisfaction: The mediating role of science reading motivation [translated from Chinese]. Journal of Digital Learning Technology, 16(1), 85–109. (TSSCI)

• Liu, H.-H., Chen, H.-C., Lin, M.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2023). A review of jigsaw cooperative learning under different goal structures in science education: Literature from 2000–2019 [translated from Chinese]. Journal of Education, 51(2), 51–75. (TSSCI)

• Liu, H.-H., Chen, H.-C., Lin, M.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2022). Instructional design of the nature of science in senior high school: The case of the evolution unit in biology [translated from Chinese]. Science Education Monthly, (447), 35–43.

• Lin, M.-C., Chen, H.-C., Hsu, M.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2022). Integrating food safety issues into science education from elementary to university level: A review study, 1999–2018 [translated from Chinese]. Science Education Monthly, (446), 12–32.

• Lin, M.-C., Chen, H.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2022). Elementary school students’ self-efficacy, emoticon use, and understanding of scientific concepts in inquiry-based learning: A preliminary study [translated from Chinese]. Chinese Journal of Science Education, 30(1), 27–48. (TSSCI)

• Chen, H.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2020). The feasibility of intelligent design theory in science classroom teaching: An STS perspective [translated from Chinese]. Science Education Monthly, (427), 9–23.

• Chen, H.-C., & Chang, C.-Y. (2019). 網路探究活動對國中高、低批判思考能力學生之探究能力及演化概念知識的影響 [The effects of web-based inquiry activities on inquiry abilities and evolutionary conceptual knowledge among junior high school students with high and low critical thinking abilities]. Chinese Journal of Science Education, 27(4), 229–250. https://doi.org/10.6173/CJSE.201912_27(4).0002

Conference Presentations (Selected, 2013–2025)

• Chen, H.-C., Chou, Y.-C., Lin, S.-Y., Lai, W.-H., Tang, M.-S., & Lu, C.-H. (2025, December 7–10). Helping AI understand humans: Designing an AHP-based time-prioritization model for dementia caregivers towards a GenAI-powered companion system [Paper presentation]. 30th Annual Conference of the Society for Design and Process Science (SDPS 2025), St Julian’s, Malta.

• Sumardani, D., Gijlers, H., Chen, H.-C., Yen, M.-H., & Chang, C.-Y. (2025, November 7–8). Exploring the perspectives of science teachers in the Netherlands on AI in science education: Needs, challenges, and practices [Paper presentation]. MSCEIS–IWALS 2025, Bandung, Indonesia. (Study of Dutch science teachers; Indonesia was the conference venue, not a research site.)

• Chen, H.-C., Gijlers, H., de Araujo Junior, A., & Papadopoulos, P. M. (2025, August 25–29). Supporting transactive communication in inquiry-based learning with a conversational agent [Paper presentation]. EARLI 2025 Conference, Graz, Austria.

• Sui, C.-J., Gijlers, H., Chen, H.-C., Yen, M.-H., & Chang, C.-Y. (2024, December 5–7). Investigating the effect of GenAI-supported scaffolding on socio-scientific argumentation: A case study in the Netherlands [Paper presentation]. 40th Annual International Conference of Science Education in Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan.

• Chen, H.-C., Gijlers, H., Dias de Araujo Junior, A., & Papadopoulos, P. (2024, December 10). Enhancing climate change literacy through agent-facilitated collaborative learning: A cross-cultural comparison [Paper presentation]. ODISSEI Conference 2024, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

• Wang, C.-Y., Chen, H.-C., & Lin, J.-H. (2024, August 21–23). Analyzing learner types and outcomes for learning dynamics in a collaborative climate change game [Paper presentation]. EARLI SIG 6 & 7 Conference, Tübingen, Germany.

• Gijlers, H., Manoli, C., Chen, H.-C., & de Leng, B. (2024, August 21–23). Impact of cultural diversity in collaborative clinical reasoning argumentation in synchronous CSCL [Paper presentation]. EARLI SIG 6 & 7 Conference, Tübingen, Germany.

• Chao, P.-C., Chen, H.-C., Wang, C.-Y., Lee, H.-Y., & Chang, H.-Y. (2024, August 21–23). Enhancing climate change action experience through scaffolding-based collaborative educational game [Poster session]. EARLI SIG 6 & 7 Conference, Tübingen, Germany.

• Sui, C.-J., Lai, C.-Y., Chen, H.-C., Cheng, P.-H., & Chang, C.-Y. (2022, February 10–12). Exploring students’ learning performance and inquiry competencies through inquiry-based learning with a simulated experiment [Conference presentation]. 5th IEEE Eurasian Conference on Education Innovation (ECEI 2022), Keelung, Taiwan.

• Pisoni, G., Gijlers, H., Nguyen, T. H., & Chen, H.-C. (2021). Collaboration patterns in students’ teams working on business cases. In Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Enabling Data-Driven Decisions from Learning on the Web (L2D 2021), CEUR Workshop Proceedings, Vol. 2876, pp. 14–27. https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2876/paper2.pdf

• Chen, H.-C., Pisoni, G., & Gijlers, H. (2021). An exploratory study into graduate students’ attitudes towards peer assessment. In Educating Engineers for Future Industrial Revolutions (ICL 2020), Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Vol. 1329, pp. 310–325. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68201-9_32

• Chen, H.-C., & Chang, W.-H. (2019). Be WISEr! Using collaborative science writing to improve Taiwanese students’ understanding of evolution in junior high school classroom. In Educational Innovations and Applications: Proceedings of the 2nd Eurasian Conference on Educational Innovation 2019, pp. 21–24. Singapore: IIKII. https://doi.org/10.35745/ecei2019v2.006

• Chen, H.-C., & Chang, W.-H. (2013, July 4–6). The enhancement of professional service learning effectiveness through digital learning platform [Conference presentation]. The East-Asian Association for Science Education (EASE) Conference, Hong Kong, China.

• Chen, H.-C., & Chang, W.-H. (2014, May 26–30). An initial exploration of applying collaborative science writing on the WISE platform: The case of the evolution unit for junior high school students [translated from Chinese] [Paper presentation]. Global Chinese Conference on Computers in Education (GCCCE 2014), Shanghai, China.

• Tsai, P.-L., Chen, H.-C., Chang, W.-H., & Tsao, Y.-W. (2014, December 5–6). Design and implementation of a guided-inquiry web module incorporating the history of science: The case of the theory of evolution [translated from Chinese] [Poster presentation]. 30th Conference on Science Education, Taipei, Taiwan.

Other

• Vo, T. N. A., Chen, H.-C., & Chen, P.-C. (2022). IEEE NEMS 2022 conference report [translated from Chinese]. Bulletin of the Society of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, (47), 1–7.

Teaching Experience

• Teaching Assistant, Academic Writing, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Feb–Jun 2022). Assisted with course material preparation and instruction, led class discussions, and guided students in writing reflective journals, with an emphasis on critical thinking, academic writing, and self-reflection skills.

• Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Biomedical Chips: Concepts and Practice, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Feb–Jun 2022). Guided students in writing reflective journals on biochip technology and applications, supporting their understanding of core course concepts and practical applications.

International Research Supervision

• External Supervisor (Master’s & Bachelor’s Projects), University of Twente, the Netherlands (Mar–Jun 2024). Supervised Master’s and Bachelor’s projects on collaborative learning design using Go-Lab climate simulations.

Academic Service & Leadership

• Vice Secretary-General, Society for Design and Process Science (SDPS) (2026–present). Supports the society’s administrative operations, international conference organization, and academic exchange activities.

• Producer, “Memory Garden” podcast, Season 1: “Memory Care Matters” (2025–present), in collaboration with Barbara J. Huelat. Uses audio media to promote interdisciplinary research on dementia care and healing-environment design, and to foster dialogue between academic research and the public.

• Peer Reviewer (2025–2026): BMC Medical Education; Discover Education; Humanities and Social Sciences Communications; Discover Artificial Intelligence; BMC Psychology; npj Digital Medicine; Scientific Reports.

Conference & Workshop Organization

• Conference Coordinator, SDPS 2026 International Conference, Society for Design and Process Science, KU Leuven, Belgium (Aug 23–26, 2026). Conference website: https://sdpsnet.org/sdps-2026/

• Co-organizer, Taiwan Research Days in the Netherlands (Oct 20–21, 2024). Responsible for session chairing, conference handbook production, and logistics coordination.

• MC (Master of Ceremonies), Taiwan Research Days in Luxembourg (Nov 12, 2024).

• Coordinator, Horizon Europe Info Day @ Taiwan (Oct 6, 2022), organized by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) under the Taiwan–EU Industry and Research Cooperation Program (TEUICP). Responsible for overall event planning, cross-agency and EU-side coordination, agenda design, and execution of expert breakout sessions.

Invited Talks

• Invited Workshop Chair, “Flipped Classroom: Student-Centered Online Science Courses,” 30th Conference on Science Education, National Taiwan Normal University (Dec 5, 2014).

• Invited Speaker, “Examples of Subject-Specific Teaching Material Development,” 1st International Conference on Teacher Education — Subject-Specific Pedagogy, National Taiwan Normal University (Nov 30, 2013).

• Invited Speaker, “Get Started! TATABOX — How to Be an Effective Teaching Assistant for Quality Courses?” Promotion Briefing for the Cross-Disciplinary Smart-Living Foundation Courses and Service-Learning Program (MOE-funded), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Sep 6, 2012).

Patents & Technology Transfer

• Chiu, C.-H., Chen, H.-C., & Shih, C.-M. (2012). Lifelong Service-Learning Map Website — Technology Transfer Agreement. License period: 2012–2017.

• Chiu, C.-H., Chen, H.-C., & Shih, C.-M. (2012). Lifelong Service-Learning Map System. ROC Patent, Publication No. M443214, Application No. 1012138185.

• Chiu, C.-H., Shih, C.-M., & Chen, H.-C. (2012). Lifelong Service-Learning Map System and Operation Method. ROC Patent, Publication No. 201405475, Application No. 101125780.