Benjamin Heddy

Benjamin Heddy, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, University of Oklahoma. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of Southern California. His primary roles include overseeing research initiatives and teaching courses on motivation, cognition, learning theory, human development, and research methods.

Research focuses on cognitive and motivational aspects of learning, emphasizing engagement, academic emotions, interest development, and conceptual change. He explores how everyday experiences influence learning, particularly through transformative experiences. His work has been published in journals like Science Education and Psychology Today.

Current leadership roles include Chair of the APA Division 15 Committee for Early Career Psychologists and membership in the APA Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education. He received the 2017 OU Jeanine Rainbolt College of Education Graduate Student Mentoring Award.

Heddy directs the OU MOVE Lab (oumovelab.com) and co-directs the SpELLS Research Group (spellsrg.com). These labs investigate transformative learning experiences, engagement strategies, and conceptual change in educational settings.

His research emphasizes applying theoretical frameworks like Self-Determination Theory and Deweyan pragmatism to real-world educational challenges. Recent studies include mindfulness interventions, dyslexia education, and transdisciplinary inclusivity for students with disabilities.