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Tan Bao Zhen
IAL Staff
Senior Researcher, Research Division
Areas of Expertise: Workforce and Skills Development, Research & Data Analytics
+65 9753 2339
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baozzz/
Bao Zhen is a researcher specialising in adult education, skills, and workforce development, with expertise in large-scale quantitative and policy-relevant research. She served as the National Sampling Manager for Singapore’s implementation of Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Cycle 2, contributing to international analyses on skills, job quality, and workforce outcomes. Her research advances the understanding of “good jobs” through a multidimensional framework. She also leads research on the Training and Adult Education (TAE) sector, including the development of adult educator archetypes that inform capability development and sectoral transformation. Her work informs national policy and practice through collaborations with agencies such as the Ministry of Education, SkillsFuture Singapore, and the OECD.
Sadik, S., Tan., B.Z., and Tan, J. (2026). The link between innovation and workplace learning: Singapore in comparative perspective, PIAAC Bite Series. Singapore: Institute for Adult Learning. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.35555.92967
Tan, B.Z. (in press). The use of AI in Higher Education, Training and Adult Learning – A global overview. In Z., Chen, L., Cordie, S., Hannes, & X.D., Zeng (Eds.), Navigating the AI Frontier in Adult Education: International Practices and Perspectives from Adult Learning, Training and Higher Education. Routledge.
Chen, Z., Tan, B.Z. (2024). Use of Learning Technologies in Training and Adult Education in Singapore. In: Lee, A.N., Nie, Y. (eds) Future-oriented Learning and Skills Development for Employability. Springer, Singapore: Link
Chen, Z., Murphy, I., Tan, B. Z., Choo, A., Ang, B.A., Chan, S., & Tangen, C. (2024). Elevating TAE Business, Jobs and Skills: Findings from the Training and Adult Education Landscape Study 2. Singapore: Institute for Adult Learning.: Link
Chen, Z., & Tan, B.Z. (2023). An International Comparison of Online Learning Transition During COVID-19. eLearn 2023, 3, Article 1 (03-01-2023): Link
Tan, B. Z., & Sheng, Y. Z. (2023). Learning Motivation of Adult Learners during the Transition to Fully Online Learning due to COVID-19. ISSN: 2189-101X – The Asian Conference on Education & International Development 2023 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 681-694): Link
Chen, Z., Tan, B. Z., & Choo, A. (2023). A snapshot of the current landscape. IAL Advance Issue 7, (April), pp. 5-7: Link
Bi, X.F., Tan, B.Z., & Freebody, S. (2023). Critical Core Skills Profiling and Development in Singaporean Workforce. ISSN: 2189-1036 – The IAFOR International Conference on Education – Hawaii 2023 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 599-617): Link
Tan, B.Z. (in press). The use of AI in Higher Education, Training and Adult Learning – A global overview. In Z., Chen, L., Cordie, S., Hannes, & X.D., Zeng (Eds.), Navigating the AI Frontier in Adult Education: International Practices and Perspectives from Adult Learning, Training and Higher Education. Routledge.
Chen, Z., Tan, B.Z. (2024). Use of Learning Technologies in Training and Adult Education in Singapore. In: Lee, A.N., Nie, Y. (eds) Future-oriented Learning and Skills Development for Employability. Springer, Singapore: Link
Chen, Z., Murphy, I., Tan, B. Z., Choo, A., Ang, B.A., Chan, S., & Tangen, C. (2024). Elevating TAE Business, Jobs and Skills: Findings from the Training and Adult Education Landscape Study 2. Singapore: Institute for Adult Learning.: Link
Chen, Z., & Tan, B.Z. (2023). An International Comparison of Online Learning Transition During COVID-19. eLearn 2023, 3, Article 1 (03-01-2023): Link
Tan, B. Z., & Sheng, Y. Z. (2023). Learning Motivation of Adult Learners during the Transition to Fully Online Learning due to COVID-19. ISSN: 2189-101X – The Asian Conference on Education & International Development 2023 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 681-694): Link
Chen, Z., Tan, B. Z., & Choo, A. (2023). A snapshot of the current landscape. IAL Advance Issue 7, (April), pp. 5-7: Link
Bi, X.F., Tan, B.Z., & Freebody, S. (2023). Critical Core Skills Profiling and Development in Singaporean Workforce. ISSN: 2189-1036 – The IAFOR International Conference on Education – Hawaii 2023 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 599-617): Link