Pooja K. Agarwal

Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches psychological science to undergraduate musicians. She is a cognitive scientist with over 20 years of research experience in the science of learning, particularly retrieval practice, and is the founder of RetrievalPractice.org, a resource used by over 25,000 educators worldwide.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. (2011), M.A. (2009), and B.A. (2005), all from Washington University in St. Louis, in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience.

Dr. Agarwal's research focuses on evidence-based learning strategies such as retrieval practice, spaced learning, and metacognition. Her work bridges cognitive science and classroom practice, aiming to make scientific findings accessible and practical for educators. She emphasizes the importance of translating laboratory research into real-world classroom applications to improve student learning across diverse populations.

Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on retrieval practice and its impact on memory, test performance, and student well-being. Themes include the benefits of quizzing, test anxiety reduction, transfer of learning, and the application of cognitive principles in K–12 and higher education settings. Her research spans multiple disciplines, including educational psychology, cognitive science, and classroom assessment.

• Berklee College of Music Inclusive Teaching and Learning Grant
• Berklee College of Music PED Dean's Award for Creative Scholarship and Professional Contributions
• Association for Psychological Science (APS) Rising Star Award
• American Psychological Association (APA) Graduate Student Researcher Award
• Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy (IMSA) Alumni Titan Award
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship
• Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship

Dr. Agarwal is a sought-after speaker and consultant, having delivered keynotes such as at SXSW EDU 2022. She has authored influential books including Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning and Smart Teaching Stronger Learning, and has contributed to numerous practice guides for teachers. While no formal advisees are listed, her work has profoundly influenced educators globally through her outreach, publications, and professional development workshops. She does not appear to lead a formal research lab but collaborates extensively with cognitive scientists and educators.