Ya-Ling Wang, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor

Department of Adult & Continuing Education

National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU)

◆ Ph.D. in Psychology

National Taiwan University (NTU), Taiwan

◆ Visiting Scholar

Department of Psychology, UC Berkeley, USA

◆ Postdoctoral Researcher

Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education,
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

Dr. Ya-Ling Wang is currently a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Adult and Continuing Education at National Taiwan Normal University. Her research primarily focuses on the psychology of digital learning among older adults, intergenerational learning, and intergenerational communication. She is committed to interdisciplinary research integrating psychology, adult learning, and digital technology, and applies theories and perspectives from social cognition, learning psychology, and digital technology to adult and older adult education as well as everyday life. Her research examines self-directed learning, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and psychological needs among adult and older learners, as well as the effects of digital technology use on their learning, psychological adjustment, and social interaction. In recent years, her work has further focused on the application of emerging technologies in older adult education, including generative AI, chatbots, and digital learning environments. Her research explores how technology can enhance older adults’ learning outcomes, psychological well-being, and social participation, while also promoting communication, collaborative learning, and mutual benefit across generations through technology-supported intergenerational learning and interaction.

Dr. Wang has long been dedicated to interdisciplinary research integrating the psychology of aging, digital learning, and intergenerational interaction. Her work has been published in a range of SSCI/SCIE-indexed international journals, including Acta Psychologica, Thinking Skills and Creativity, BMC Psychology, BMC Public Health, Universal Access in the Information Society, Educational Gerontology, and Frontiers in Psychology. Her academic honors include a Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the National Science and Technology Council Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, the Postdoctoral Academic Publication Award, the Ta-You Wu Memorial Award, and the Outstanding Young Scholar Research Grant. She has also received National Taiwan Normal University’s Research Excellence Award and Excellence in Teaching Award, as well as distinctions as a Distinguished Professor in recognition of academic excellence.

In recent years, Dr. Wang has also been actively engaged in editorial service for international journals. She currently serves as both an Editorial Board Member and Handling Editor for Humanities and Social Sciences Communications and Scientific Reports, and as a Handling Editor for Frontiers in Psychology – Psychology of Aging.

Research Interests

◆ Psychology and Digital Learning of Older Adults
◆ Intergenerational Learning and Intergenerational Communication

Academic Awards

Awards in NTNU

Year Awards Host
2026 Excellence in Teaching Award National Taiwan Normal University
2026 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2026 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2025 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2025 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2024 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2024 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2023 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2023 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2023 Excellence in Teaching Award National Taiwan Normal University
2022 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2022 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2021 Distinguished Professor of National Taiwan Normal University National Taiwan Normal University
2021 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2020 Research Excellence Award National Taiwan Normal University
2020 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2020 Academic Thesis and Book Publication Award National Taiwan Normal University
2019 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2019 Academic Thesis and Book Publication Award National Taiwan Normal University
2018 The Award for Recruitment and Retaining of Outstanding Talents National Taiwan Normal University
2018 Academic Thesis and Book Publication Award National Taiwan Normal University

Other Academic Awards

Year Awards Host
2026 Outstanding Young Scholars Program, National Science and Technology Council (2026-2029) NSTC, Taiwan
2022 Plan of TA-YOU WU Memorial Award, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan (2022-2027) NSTC, Taiwan
2020 TA-YOU WU Memorial Award, National Science and Technology Council NSTC, Taiwan
2020 Outstanding Young Scholars Program, National Science and Technology Council (2020-2023) NSTC, Taiwan
2016 Postdoctoral Academic Publication Award, National Science and Technology Council NSTC, Taiwan
2013 The National Science Council Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships for the Humanities and Social Sciences 2013 NSTC, Taiwan
2012 Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Grants (2012-2013)
Visiting Lab: The Relationships and Social Cognition Lab (RASCL), Dept. of Psychology, UC Berkeley (Dr. Ozlem Ayduk)
United States Department of State
2009 International Travel Award 2009 International Association for Relationship Research, USA

Academic and Professional Service


◆ Editorial Board Member


◆ Handling Editor


◆ Guest Editor


◆ Program Committee Member


◆ Chair


◆ Moderator


◆ Journal Reviewer


◆ Conference and Academic Event Reviewer


◆ Professional Reviewer


◆ Consultant / Expert


◆ Researcher


◆ Internship Advisor


◆ Director


◆ University Committee Service


Invited Talks and Presentations

Related Interviews and Reports