Neta Shaby

Dr. Neta Shaby is a Lecturer in Science Education at the Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, and a member of the Mathematics and Science Education (MaSE) research group. She holds a BSc in Life Sciences, MA and PhD in Science Education, and conducted postdoctoral research at Oregon State University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Her research focuses on learning processes in informal environments, particularly emotional and social engagement in science museums and family learning dynamics. She emphasizes the learning ecologies approach, examining lifelong STEM learning across formal and informal settings.

Dr. Shaby’s research methodologies include grounded theory, ethnography, and case studies. Her work explores how cognitive, affective, and physical engagement occurs in non-school settings like museums and outdoor activities. Notable contributions include studies on narrative-based pedagogy, emotional expression measurement via EDA, and cross-curricular curriculum design (e.g., Titanic disaster education). She has supervised PhD student Keqin Zha and collaborates internationally on projects like the ‘Impact Measuring Toolkit for Museums’.

• Received NARST Outstanding Doctoral Research Award (2020)
• Active in participatory research with museum practitioners and teacher collaboration initiatives
• Pioneer in analyzing STEM learning ecosystems for youth and families

Her research also addresses post-pandemic digital adaptation strategies for informal science institutions and the role of body language in science museum engagement.