Learning Sciences PhD Students
Filter current students
Umit Aslan
Contact
UmitAslan2014@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
MSc, Bogazici University, 2014
BS, Bogazici University, 2010
Research Interests
Code-first learning environments; computational modeling; learning and thinking about complex systems; STEM education.
Gautam Bisht
Education
BA in English Literature , Delhi University, 2012
MA in Film Studies, Ambedkar University, 2015
M Phil in Development Practice, Ambedkar University, 2018
Research Interests
My area of interest emerges from the educational initiatives I have undertaken as part of my organisation in the domain of language, literacy and culture. These initiatives comprise of two levels: (i) working directly with an indigenous youth collective in India on literacy, digital and teaching skills and (ii) working indirectly with children (6-12 age group) through community learning centers as facilitated by the youth collective mentioned above. With the youth my focus is on understanding the complex overlap of digital media, literacy and (counter) narratives. With the children my focus is on co-designing pedagogic spaces with community youth that are multilingual and culturally responsive. Broadly I am moved by anything that invokes critical pedagogy, integration of theory and practice, community based design, applied linguistics and philosophy of education.
Forrest Bruce
Education
BS, Social Policy, Northwestern University, 2017
Research Interests
Indigenous knowledge systems, land- and water-based education.
Maddie Brucker
Education
MEd, Cultural and Educational Policy Studies, Loyola University Chicago, 2013
Victoria C. Chávez
Contact
Education
M.A. Urban Education Policy
B.A. Computer Science and Hispanic Studies
Research Interests
Victoria’s research interests explore systemic issues within computer science education, centering the experiences of Black, Disabled, Indigenous, and Latine/x students. Most recently, their research has focused on teaching and learning accessibility as well as unpacking how ableism is codified in the policies, practices, and pedagogies used in college CS courses.
John (Yuehan) Chen
Contact
YuehanChen2023@u.northwestern.edu
Education
B. A. in Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing Normal University, 2016
Research Interests
My research interest lies in the intersection of Learning Sciences and Human-Computer Interaction, with a focus on informal learning, mobile learning, scaling, and emergent social behavior and learning design from massive learning communities.
Bradley Davey
Contact
bdavey@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
PhD Learning Sciences, Northwestern University, 2026 (expected)
MA Urban Education and Policy, Loyola Marymount University, 2017
BA German Studies and Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2014
Research Interests
Humans have systematically investigated nature since the beginning of time, yet leading images of science advance the laboratory as the sole site of scientific knowledge production. How have images of laboratory science become mainstream, what might we miss about the wider world of scientific activity, and what implications do these alternative images have for the teaching, learning, and doing of science? One way to answer these questions is to investigate the people, practices, and cultures of scientific activity found outside of the laboratory. My current work is a ethnography of professional coffee roasters and their use of science and technology to produce one of our most cherished goods. In the future I will translate learnings from these alternative images of science into teaching and learning opportunities for K-12 science education.
Shante Elliott
Education
MEd Cultural and Educational Policy Studies, Loyola University Chicago
BA English Language & Literature, Fayetteville State University
BA Communication, Fayetteville State University
Research Interests
Coping & Learning, Designing Digital Tools, Identity & Motivation
Kristin Fasiang
Contact
kristinfasiang2029@u.northwestern.edu
Education
BS in Mathematics, Secondary Education, Loyola University Chicago, 2023
Research Interests
Identity development in Computer Science. Design of accessible online learning environments.
Naomi Field
Contact
naomifield2030@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
BA Biology and Studio Art, Occidental College, 2020
Research Interests
Naomi studies how art contributes to understanding science and how this understanding could improve the lives of diverse community members.
Alejandra Frausto Aceves
Contact
alejandrafrausto@u.northwestern.edu
Education
MEd in Educational Leadership with Distinction, DePaul University, 2014
BS in the Teaching of Chemistry, University of Illinois in Chicago, 2005
Research Interests
With 17 years in education, I have served in various roles, including teaching science and other content areas from 6th grade through adult students in an alternative setting, working as a curriculum coach and associate principal, and leading service learning for the third largest district in the U.S. My research examines transformative collective learning in K12 science education, teacher collectives, and interdisciplinary teams with school leaders. Within these contexts, I hope to continue to contribute to how we understand intergenerational & community-based co-constructions, imaginations, and praxis, as well as learning and pedagogies towards expansive and agentic present-futures.
Peri Ella Green
Contact
Education
Ed.M. in Technology, Innovation, & Education (Harvard)
BBA in Business Technology (University of Miami)
Research Interests
Informal Learning, Cyberlearning
Mario Guerra
Maryam Hedayati
Education
BA, Carleton College, 2018
MA, Learning Sciences, 2020
Cece Hoffman
Contact
ceciliahoffman2027@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
BEd, Communities and Organizations, University of Washington
Research Interests
Land-based relationships and land-based learning.
Ayse Hunt
Education
BS, Computer Science, University of Puget Sound, 2019
BA, Art History, University of Puget Sound, 2019
Research Interests
Computer Science Education, metacognitive practices, identity formation.
Stephanie Jones
Contact
Education
BS, Computer Engineering, Villanova University
BS, Electrical Engineering, Villanova University
Research Interests
(Anti-)Blackness and Computing. Computer Science Education. Designing for Black Life. Social, Cultural, Historical Dimensions of Technology and Learning. Artificial Intelligence.
Jacob Kelter
Contact
jacobkelter@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
BS, Complex Systems, Northwestern University, 2015
Research Interests
Complex systems education, computation in science education, Digital infrastructure for learning and learning sciences.
Research Interests
Khushbu designs hands-on learning experiences at an intersection of engineering design, art and mathematics. She is particularly interested in building these experiences for informal public spaces such as museums, playgrounds and libraries. Her goal is to explore playful mediums of learning through mechanical movements, paper zines and puzzles, with the intention to take one away from the computer screen, and to enable accessibility in tinkering while learning.
Nicholas LaGrassa
Education
BA, Philosophy
BS, Computer Science
Research Interests
Educational Equity & Learning Environment Design
Sarah Larison
Sarah Lee
Contact
Education
BA, Human Development in Context, School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University
BA, German, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University
Research Interests
Studying learning across spaces and generations; thinking about identity and belonging for refugee and immigrant youth. Action research, hands-on making, intergenerational learning, youth organizing.
Charles Logan
Education
Master of Arts in Educational Technology, Michigan State University, 2018
Master of Fine Arts, Fiction, Brooklyn College, 2012
Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Teacher Education, Middlebury College, 2006
Research Interests
My research interests include how educators and students develop and practice critical digital pedagogies and literacies; resist, refuse, and revise educational technology imaginaries; and design learning experiences to support educational dignity.
Alex Lotsos
Contact
alexandroslotsos2026@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy, Minor in Computer Science, Boston University
M.S. in Integrated Digital Media, New York University
Research Interests
HCI and interaction design education, as well as the design of (sometimes playful) learning environments
Jessica Marshall
Contact
Education
BS in Sociology, Modified with Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Dartmouth College
MSEd in Special Education, City College of New York (CUNY)
Research Interests
Civics and Social Studies Education, Learning toward Justice and Transformation, Participatory research methods
Natalie Melo
Kritphong Mongkhonvanit
Contact
Education
MA in Learning, Design and Technology, Stanford University
BS in Computer Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research Interests
Computer science education, tangible user interfaces, and programming languages.
Research Interests
STEM education; out-of-school time (OST); informal education; learning ecosystems; maker spaces; ethical pedagogies; culturally relevant pedagogies
Arturo Munoz
Education
BA, Educational Studies and Psychology, Tufts University, 2017
Vien Nguyen
Education
Masters of Education, Temple University, 2016
Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, Stanford University, 2014
Research Interests
Complex learning; distributed & embodied cognition; learning analytics; multi-modal data; social learning; 21st century skills; interest-driven learning.
Miguel Angel Ovies-Bocanegra
Contact
Education
Masters of Art Education - Educational Psychology
Masters of Public Administration - State and Local Government, Student Services in Higher Education
Bachelors of Arts - Physical Education and Human Development
Bachelors of Arts - History
Research Interests
Educational Assessment, Pedagogy, Cognition, Land & Place-Based Education, Critical Gender Studies in Education, Urban & Rural Education
Alexis Papak
Christina Pei
Education
BA, Economics, University of Chicago, 2006
Research Interests
I am interested in constructionist learning environments that provide equitable opportunities for STEM learning. In particular, how making practices in multiple cultural settings can be leveraged to design spaces and projects that represent and value diverse backgrounds. Additionally, I view mathematics as a (under-appreciated) culture of making, and am interested in designing and implementing math microworlds that support learners in their construction of math concepts.
Katarzyna (Kasia) Pomian Bogdanov
Education
M.Ed., Secondary Education Physics, DePaul University, 2019
M.S., Physics, DePaul University, 2018
B.A., Spanish Language and Literature, Loyola University Chicago, 2016
B.S., Physics, Loyola University Chicago, 2016
Research Interests
I am interested in reimagining science education. In particular, I am interested in designing science high school curriculums that create equitable opportunities for all students to pursue science in ways that are authentic to individuals and the discipline. I am currently working with an Open Science Education design team consisting of teachers and designers. I am studying the tensions that arise during this process; particularly, tensions at the intersections of science education, gender, and race. I am also working on understating the roles of silliness in the classroom, specifically when silliness is used during on-task discourse within the classroom. In the past I have studied acoustical instruments, and how they can be used in the classroom to stimulate students’ interests and understanding of string theory. I have used Social Network Analysis to better understand interactions within science classrooms. I have also worked at Argonne National Laboratory on a team in pursuit of understanding dark energy through the study of Type 1A Supernovae.
Research Interests
Memory, Identity, Analogues, Skill acquisition, and expertise.
Research Interests
Data literacies, informal education, culturally relevant pedagogies.
Alisa (Ally) Reith
Education
BA, Bennington College, 2013
Cameron Roberts
Contact
cameronroberts2020@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
B.A. in Computer Science and a B.Mus. in Saxophone Performance, Northwestern University
M.M. in Saxophone Performance, Chicago College of Performing Arts
Research Interests
Cameron is interested in how the collision of music and computing can reimagine a learner’s relationship with both domains as well as open up new opportunities for creative self-expression. He is an active performer of contemporary and experimental music across Chicagoland.
Leslie Russell
Michael Smith
Education
BS, Computer Science, Northwestern University, 2018
MS, Computer Science, Northwestern University, 2020
Research Interests
Exploring the intersections of technology, sports, & learning, examining & designing multimodal learning environments, computational/AI methods, computing & culture, and games.
Taylor Topham
Contact
taylortopham@u.northwestern.edu
Education
MS in Sociology, Brigham Young University, 2022
BA in English, Brigham Young University, 2019
Research Interests
I am interested in how teachers learn to teach in teacher education, professional, and other settings. I am also interested in exploring the network of organizations, institutions, and resources that support teachers' learning.
Caryn Tran
Contact
Education
M.S. Computer Science
B.A. Computer Science from UC Berkeley
Research Interests
K-8 Computer Science Education, Collaborative Learning, Visual Programming Lanugages
Dustin Tran
Adia Wallace
Contact
Education
EdM in Technology, Innovation, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education
BA in Philosophy from Xavier University of Louisiana
Research Interests
Design of accessible online learning environments.
Melanie West
Education
MPS Interactive Telecommunications, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
BS Music & Electrical Engineering, Rutgers University
Research Interests
Dignity-affirming pedagogy and the intersubjectivity of music.
Corey Winchester
Contact
winchester@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
MA - Learning Sciences (2020), Northwestern University
MEd - Cultural and Educational Policy Studies (2013), Loyola University Chicago
BS - Education and Social Policy (2010), Northwestern University
Research Interests
Grounded in my work as a high school History educator, my research interests include exploring the design, creation, and embodied pedagogical practices of humanizing learning environments with a focus on how enactments of just relations, attunement to identity, and culture impact learning. Currently, my work is concerned with four main areas: (1) understanding intersections of youth identity and leadership development towards social changemaking (2) preparation, education & continued learning for K-12 educators and youth development providers, (3) co-design of learning environments and (4) intergenerational learning in K-12 settings and youth development programs.
Sierra Yi
Contact
Education
Master of Philosophy in History, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2020
BA in History, Lanzhou University, 2018
Research Interests
I am currently interested in memory, self-knowledge, and history education. Specifically, I am interested in the stories people tell about the past, the mutual shaping between individual memory and self-knowledge, how the mutual shaping is situated in different learning environments, and the interaction between individual memory and collective memory. As a former history major who struggled with memorizing historical facts, I also expect to learn how historical inquiry skills can be applied to daily routines, as well as reconsider the parameters of history learning.
Lexie Zhao
Contact
xinyuezhao2020@u.northwestern.edu
Education
M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern, 2020
Research Interests
I'm interested in the intersection of playful learning, learner agency, and equitable participation, especially in informal learning environemnts such as museums, and afterschool clubs. Key words of my research may include: co-design emerging technology with children, museum exhibits design, interaction analysis, and ethnography.