Engineering Education Research

The Engineering Education Program at the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ advances research that improves engineering learning, broadens participation in engineering, and prepares engineers to address complex societal challenges. Our affiliated faculty bring expertise from engineering, education, learning sciences, computer science, business, and related fields, creating a rich interdisciplinary community of scholars.Ìý

Across these areas, many faculty explore questions related to sustainability, ethical practice, community engagement, societal impact, and the preparation of engineers who can address complex real-world challenges.Ìý

Our work spans five interconnected research areas.Ìý

Engineering Learning, Curriculum, and InstructionÌý

We study how people learn engineering and how educational experiences can be designed to support deeper learning, engagement, and success.Ìý

Research topics include:Ìý

  • Active and collaborative learningÌý
  • Project-based learningÌý
  • Curriculum development and transformationÌý
  • Engineering teaching practicesÌý
  • Assessment and evaluationÌý
  • Learning sciences perspectives on engineering educationÌý
  • K-12, undergraduate, and graduate engineering educationÌý

Faculty working in this area include: Noah Finkelstein, Erin Furtak, Joseph Polman, David WebbÌý

Engineering Students, Pathways, and Professional FormationÌý

We investigate how people become engineers and how educational experiences shape identity, belonging, leadership, career aspirations, and professional development.Ìý

Research topics include:Ìý

  • Engineering identity formationÌý
  • Persistence and retentionÌý
  • Belonging and student successÌý
  • Leadership developmentÌý
  • Mentoring and advisingÌý
  • Career pathways and workforce preparationÌý
  • Transitions from education to professional practiceÌý
  • Graduate education and doctoral preparationÌý

Faculty working in this area include: Angela Bielefeldt, Amy Javernick-Will, Daniel Knight, Heidi Loshbaugh, Janet TsaiÌý

Broadening Participation, Community Engagement, and Student SuccessÌý

We study how engineering education can expand opportunities for learners from diverse backgrounds and experiences, strengthen pathways into and through engineering, and build meaningful connections between engineering, communities, and society.Ìý

Research topics include:Ìý

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingÌý
  • Social justice in engineering educationÌý
  • Community-engaged scholarshipÌý
  • Engineering ethics and societal impactsÌý
  • Indigenous and culturally sustaining STEM educationÌý
  • Gender and identity in engineeringÌý
  • Environmental and educational justiceÌý
  • Access and broadening participationÌý

Faculty working in this area include: Christina Alston, Azadeh Bolhari, Ian Her Many Horses, Malinda ZarskeÌýÌý

Design, Innovation, and Sociotechnical Problem SolvingÌý

We explore how engineers develop innovative solutions while considering technical, social, environmental, and human dimensions of complex problems.Ìý

Research topics include:Ìý

  • Engineering design thinkingÌý
  • Creativity and innovationÌý
  • Human-centered designÌý
  • Sociotechnical systems thinkingÌý
  • Sustainability-oriented designÌý
  • Entrepreneurship and innovationÌý
  • Stakeholder engagementÌý
  • Design for inclusionÌý

Faculty working in this area include: Grace Burleson, Lee Frankel-Goldwater, Laura Kornish, Daria Kotys-SchwartzÌý

Learning Technologies, AI, and Human-Technology InteractionÌý

We develop and study technologies that support learning, teaching, collaboration, and educational decision making.Ìý

Research topics include:Ìý

  • Artificial intelligence in educationÌý
  • Learning analyticsÌý
  • Educational data scienceÌý
  • Human-computer interactionÌý
  • Educational technology designÌý
  • Computational thinkingÌý
  • Digital learning environmentsÌý
  • Emerging technologies for teaching and learningÌý

Faculty working in this area include: Steve Ayer, Bobby Hodgkinson, Tamara Sumner, Tom YehÌý

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