Professor Yan Zi’s publications and research projects focus on two related areas: (i) educational assessment in the school and higher education contexts, with an emphasis on student self-assessment; and (ii) Rasch measurement, particularly its application in educational and psychological research. His research aims to advance the understanding of assessment processes and how to optimise them to enhance students’ learning effectiveness and lifelong development. Professor Yan received the President's Research Excellence Award 2021/22 and was named in Stanford University's list of the world's top 2% most-cited scientists in 2020 and 2021.

Professor Yan’s recent publication, Student Self-assessment as a Process for Learning, is the first systematic account of the whole chain of student self-assessment research, including its conceptualisation, measurement, predictors, relationship with other learning concepts, and impact on learning outcomes and interventions. He edited the book, Assessment as Learning: Maximising Opportunities for Student Learning and Achievement, which updates new theoretical perspectives regarding assessment-as-learning and re-positions it in relation to education reform. He is also the co-author of the 4th edition of the book, Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences. This book is a classic in the field and a bestseller in academic circles. 

In addition to research, Professor Yan has many years of experience in knowledge transfer, teacher training, and school support. He has been frequently invited to provide professional development workshops on assessment and/or measurement for principals and teachers from Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and overseas.