Blog — Xianglu (TJ) Tang

Research Toolkit · December 15, 2024

Building Your Own Research Toolkit — My Playbook

A personal research diary about creating your own research opportunities — from spotting real-world problems to fearless outreach and cultivating sisu.

Read full essay →

Fig. 02Travel

Falling Hard for Finland

A love letter to the land of a thousand lakes, where kindness meets authenticity. From Santa Claus Uber drivers to gentle shop owners.

✎ written from a Helsinki cafe

Fig. 03AI Research

My AI-in-Research Workflow

How I use AI in my research pipeline — and why I never trust AI overall. Practical guide with the “AI duel” technique and Dao/Shu framework.

✎ my actual workflow

Fig. 04AI Research

The Ecological-Psychology Comeback of AI

AI is rediscovering J.J. Gibson's ecological psychology — perception is action, the environment teaches us what's possible.

✎ J.J. Gibson would be proud

Fig. 05Personal Growth

Becoming TJ: A Journey of Self-Discovery

A reflective exploration of personal transformation through research, mentorship, and continuous learning.

✎ a personal essay

Fig. 06Research

If I Restarted Undergrad

How I'd go from “No Research” to “Real Research” — my cheat code for undergrads who want to break in but don't know where to start.

✎ the playbook I wish I had

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