Areas of Research
Drexel University’s School of Education is rich with expertise in many
diverse fields of research. Our research is collaborative, expansive,
interdisciplinary and focused with a particular emphasis on
technology-enhanced education and the learning sciences.
Research productivity, measured both by peer-reviewed publications and funded
research expenditures continues to be a high priority, encouraging scholarly
inquiry to improve education practices locally and globally.
Research in the School of Education is focused in the following areas:
Behavioral Health Sciences
Behavioral health sciences research intersects and informs educational
practices in areas such as multi-tiered systems of behavioral and academic
support and evidence-based practices for individuals with behavioral health
needs. Faculty develop, implement and disseminate effective behavior health
interventions as part of the scientist-practitioner model.
Amanda Lannie, PhD, BCBA-D
Associate Clinical Professor
Program Director, Special Education
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Bridget Sweeney Blakely, PhD
Associate Clinical Professor
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Christina Vorndran, PhD, BCBA-D
Associate Clinical Professor
Program Director, Applied Behavior Analysis
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Global Education
Global education research aims to improve the human condition by addressing
issues of educational inequality, social justice and intercultural
communication. Through collaborations with partners regionally and abroad,
faculty research utilizes cross-cultural perspectives and comparative methods
to inform educational policymaking and practices to impact global society.
Leadership Development and Adult Learning
Leadership development research focuses on educational leadership principles,
management and organizational behavior including neural and behavioral
learning processes. Research designs help organizations examine fair and
equitable environments for their workforces, design programs that support
workers and promote professional growth and employee satisfaction. Underlying
this research is deep understanding of adult learning principles and lifelong
learning capacity.
Social Justice and Inclusive Education
Equity, access, social justice and civic engagement research transcends both
the limits and possibilities of schooling, exploring the ways in which social
forces such as race, class, gender, ability and culture shapes educational
opportunity and outcomes throughout the life course. Through interdisciplinary
research in diverse local and global contexts, research for social justice
informs the advancement of equitable and inclusive learning in educational
practice and policy.
STEM, STEAM, and Creativity
STEM educational research spans the disciplines of science (physics, biology,
chemistry), technology, engineering and mathematics education. STEM teacher
professional development, student learning, participation, retention &
persistence as well as motivation and identity are signature research areas.
Many projects address STEM engagement for students of color, Underrepresented
Student Populations (URP) and culturally relevant informal STEM programs.
Immersive digital technology applications, and cognitive and non-cognitive
assessments in STEM are features of this area. STEAM research includes the
role of the arts in STEM and makerspaces. creativity and innovation research
centers on creativity belief systems, identity and performance as well as
learning in the arts.
Teaching, Learning and Development
Teaching, learning, and development are at the center of all faculty research.
From early childhood education to preparing pre-service teachers and
educational leaders across disciplines, faculty research critically examines
the role teaching and learning play to help people solve intractable problems
and push boundaries for innovative thinking and solution building.
Developmental research identifies and addresses educational issues related to
ability and behavior.
Technology and Digital Learning
Technology and digital learning research use cognitive, pedagogical and
experiential approaches to design technology and digital spaces within formal
and informal learning contexts. Helping teachers to effectively use technology
in the classroom to develop content knowledge in the classroom as well as
non-cognitive aspects is an important area of research.
Ayana Allen-Handy, PhD
Professor
Department Chair, Policy, Organization, and Leadership
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Jason Silverman, PhD
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research
Professor
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