Learning Sciences PhD Students
Umit Aslan
Contact
umitaslan@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
MSc, Secondary School Science and Mathematics Education, Bogazici University, 2014
BSc, Computer Education & Educational Technologies, Bogazici University, 2010
Research Interests
I focus on the implications of complex systems theory in Learning Sciences research, especially when it comes to cognition and instructional design. I study people’s intuitive ways of thinking about everyday complex systems so that we can design more powerful learning environments to teach and learn about complex systems. I also try to create novice-friendly programming environments to enable students to develop computational models of complex scientific phenomena with as little programming instruction as possible.
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.
Jessica Cai
Contact
Education
Ed.M, Harvard University, 2024
B.A, English and Education Science, University of California - Irvine, 2023
Research Interests
Tech-Enhanced Teaching and Learning, Learning Experience Design, Identity, Design-Based Research
Bradley Davey
Contact
bdavey@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
PhD Learning Sciences, Northwestern University
MA Urban Education and Policy, Loyola Marymount University
BA German Studies and Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas
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 an 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
Naomi Field
Contact
naomifield2030@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
BA Biology and Studio Art, Occidental College, 2020
Research Interests
My academic background is in Biology and Studio art. Both subjects have allowed me to learn about the natural world but I find myself persistently drawn to thinking and practicing learning as transdisiplinary. My current research focus is understanding art's role in transdisciplinary learning envionments.
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
Alejandra's research leverages participatory and multi-scale, qualitative methods to support equitable and justice-centered science education. Her dissertation examines the diasporic and intergenerational familial practice of tortilla-making to theorize with poly-epistemic science teachers and their families about knowing, teaching, and learning. Alejandra recently co-edited a special issue for the journal of Cultural Studies of Science Education celebrating Paulo Freire’s centenary.
Peri Ella Green
Contact
peri@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
Ed.M. in Technology, Innovation, & Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2019
BBA in Business Technology, University of Miami, 2018
Research Interests
My research investigates how young people engage in informal learning across both physical spaces, such as libraries, parks, and museums, and digital spaces, like social media. Focusing on youth from historically underresourced neighborhoods, I examine how they perceive and leverage local assets to develop and sustain lifelong learning habits. By integrating geospatial data, digital storytelling, and social network analysis, my work aims to reimagine how learning outside of traditional school settings can be captured, understood, and valued.
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.
Research Interests
I seek to design innovative digital and physical spaces that center intersectional identity development, critical consciousness, and social-emotional learning. My research interests aim to explore third spaces as interactive learning environments for adult learners.
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.
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.
Collin Lejano
Contact
collinlejano2029@u.northwestern.edu
Website
Education
BS in Physics, University of California Santa Barbara, 2022
Research Interests
Physics education and cultural-linguistic affect on physics knowledge.
Ilma Lodhi
Contact
ilmalodhi2029@u.northwestern.edu
Education
BS, Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2018
MEd, Educational Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2022
Research Interests
Peer to peer learning that happens in carceral settings inviting the development of political identity
Research Interests
STEM education; out-of-school time (OST); informal education; learning ecosystems; maker spaces; ethical pedagogies; culturally relevant pedagogies
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.
Etta Pope
Contact
ettapope2029@u.northwestern.edu
Education
B.A. in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, Wellesley College, 2024
Research Interests
Science Curricula, Community-Centered Science Education, Science Identity
Research Interests
Data interactions, culturally relevant pedagogies
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.
Dustin Tran
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.
Leslie Yuqui
Contact
leslieyuqui2029@u.northwestern.edu
Education
B.S. in Mathematics, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, 2024
B.A. in Psychology, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, 2024
A.S. in Professional Studies, 2022
Research Interests
I am interested in designing and evaluating culturally sustaining pedagogical interventions that enhance math learning for children from underprivileged communities. My research focuses on how play-based and hands-on learning approaches can support Latinx, immigrant, and low-income students in developing a meaningful connection to mathematics.
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.