About HEPA Lab

HEPA Lab (Higher Education, Psychology, and Policy Analysis Laboratory, HEPA实验室, HEPA 실험실, HEPA実験室) is an independent research laboratory focused on higher education, psychology, and policy analysis, comprising three specialized divisions: the Department of Higher Education Research, the Department of Educational Psychology & Behavioral Science, and the Department of Policy Analysis & Governance. HEPA Lab also maintains an independent Deliberative Committee and a Research Ethics Committee (REC), which operate separately from the three specialized divisions to support institutional deliberation, research governance, and ethical oversight.

Our Mission

Our mission is to generate rigorous, evidence-based research that informs higher education policy and practice, while advancing psychological understanding of learning, development, and well-being in educational contexts.

Our Vision

We envision a higher education system that is equitable, effective, and supportive of all learners—where policy decisions are grounded in psychological science and research evidence, and where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.

Our History

HEPA Lab was founded in 2025 by Dr. Yundong Wu with a small team of graduate researchers. What began as a focused study on student motivation has grown into an interdisciplinary laboratory with over 15 researchers, multiple funded projects, and partnerships with universities and government agencies worldwide. Today, HEPA Lab continues to expand its impact through cutting-edge research, policy engagement, and training the next generation of educational researchers.

Research Focus

Our research spans three interconnected domains:

(1) Higher Education Policy—analyzing funding models, assessment policies, equity initiatives, and their implementation;

(2) Educational Psychology—studying motivation, cognition, well-being, engagement, and learning processes;

(3) Policy Analysis—bridging research and practice through evidence-based policy recommendations, program evaluation, and impact assessment.

Our Approach

We employ a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis (large-scale surveys, experimental designs, meta-analyses) with qualitative inquiry (interviews, case studies, narrative research). Our interdisciplinary team brings together expertise in psychology, education, public policy, and data science to address complex educational challenges from multiple perspectives.

Affiliations

HEPA Lab is an independent academic laboratory that maintains close collaborations with leading academic institutions and research networks. Our researchers collaborate extensively with the China Centre for International People-to-People Exchange (Ministry of Education), the Teacher Education Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO, and educational organizations both domestically and internationally.