Allison Connell Pensky

Allison Connell Pensky, PhD, is a Senior Data Science Research Associate at the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University since 2022. She holds a PhD in Cognition, Brain, and Behavior from the University of California, Berkeley, where her research focused on visual and tactile perception using behavioral and electrophysiological methods. Prior to joining CMU, she spent nine years as faculty at a liberal arts college, teaching courses in psychology, neuroscience, and research methods, and serving on the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

At the Eberly Center, Pensky provides expertise in educational research design, survey development, data collection, and analysis. Her work supports faculty and programs in optimizing teaching and learning through data-driven approaches. She emphasizes applying her interdisciplinary background in cognitive science and educational research to enhance academic initiatives.

Pensky’s professional experience bridges research and pedagogy, with a focus on fostering evidence-based practices in higher education. She actively engages in institutional efforts to improve teaching methodologies and student outcomes through collaborative projects and consultations.