Barbara Schneider

Barbara Schneider is the John A. Hannah University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, affiliated with the College of Education and the Department of Sociology. She holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and can be reached at bschneid@msu.edu. Her research focuses on societal conditions, schools, and families influencing adolescent development, with a focus on STEM education and real-time learning measurement. Notably, she leads the College Ambition Program (CAP) and the international "Crafting Engagement in Science Environments" study.

Education:

• Ph.D., Northwestern University

Her research interests include the sociological analysis of educational contexts, social capital, and the impact of Project-Based Learning. She has authored 19 books and over 100 articles/reports, including her 2020 book Learning Science: The Value of Crafting Engagement in Science Environments (Yale University Press).

Awards and Honors:

• Fellowships: AAAS, National Academy of Education, AERA
• Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
• Honorary Ph.D. from University of Helsinki (2017)

Research Leadership: As Principal Investigator, she directs CAP and the Crafting Engagement study, exploring STEM college readiness and PBL's impact on student outcomes. Her work bridges sociology and education policy, emphasizing real-world applications of research methods.

Labs/Teams: Involved in interdisciplinary teams focused on STEM education and educational sociology through her leadership roles in funded research initiatives.