Zhouling was born in 1978, and holds a Doctorate in Intelligence Science (Peking University, 2005), a Master of Library Science (Peking University, 2002), and a B.S. of English (Beijing Foreign Studies University, 1999).

Zhouling is currently a lecturer of the School of Social Development and Public Policy. From 2005-08, Dr. Zhou was a Doctoral Research Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, where she pursues applied research in risk management, crisis and emergency management policy. 

She has researched extensively the theory and practical implications of information science, risk management and crisis management (especially in China) and is interested in the evolution of information, mass media and other mechanisms in emergency policy formation. Projects she was ever involved or host, for example, include the Integrated Study of Risk Analysis of Potential Hazards affecting China's 2008 Olympic Games for the Emergency Management Office of Beijing Municipal Government, Research on Operational Mechanisms of the National Emergency Management System for the Emergency Management Office under the State Council of China, Risk Management Framework for China's Emergency Management during Transitional Period which was funded by the National Science Foundation of China, Interview with Disabled Persons for the Media Use during Wenchuan Earthquake, Media Coverage Analysis on Government's Disaster Management Practices after Wenchuan Earthquake, etc. Relevant research has been published in Chinese journals or submitted to Chinese government agencies.