Trained in computing mathematics as his BA major, Xin Tang moved to developmental psychology as his master degree subject. Then he moved to the University of Jyväskylä, Finland to start his Ph.d. in educational psychology. His Ph.D. works include classroom observation, teaching practices, reading skills and development, motivations, Finnish and Estonian schools. He worked with Prof. Jari-Erik Nurmi, Prof. Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen and Dr. Eija Pakkarinen from University of Jyväskylä and Prof. Eve Kikas from Tallinn University, Estonia.

After receiving a Ph.D. (Psychology) in December 2017, Dr. Xin Tang works as a Post-doc researcher with Prof. Katariina Salmela-Aro at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Currently, He focuses on non-cognitive motivations such as grit, curiosity, and growth mindset by using longitudinal research data and experience sampling method data.

In general, Dr. Xin Tang is interested in understanding how students are motivated to learn in the school, and how the school environment and teaching practices can help them to reach it.