Bruce Austin

Bruce Austin serves as an Associate Professor (Career Track) in the Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology at Washington State University's Pullman campus, where he is based in Cleveland Hall 364 and works with the Learning and Performance Research Center (LPRC). His research and teaching integrate advanced statistical methodologies with practical applications in educational and health contexts.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Educational Psychology
• Master’s degree in Statistics

Research Interests:

Dr. Austin specializes in developing statistical techniques for fairness and equity in assessment data, with core expertise in measurement invariance, response styles, and correction methods for test bias. His work addresses slope and intercept bias in predictive equations and explores variability as a predictor variable. Methodologically, he employs structural equation modeling, Bayesian methods, item response theory, and multilevel modeling across diverse datasets.

Publication Trends:

Analysis of his 2016-2021 publications reveals two dominant research trajectories: (1) psychometric innovation focused on measurement invariance across demographic groups (gender/ethnicity) in educational assessments, and (2) applied media literacy interventions in nutrition and public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. His statistical expertise consistently bridges theoretical methodology with real-world implementation in state-mandated tools like WARNS.

Scientific Awards:

No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source material.

Advising and Grants:

While no formal advisees are listed, Dr. Austin teaches Educational Statistics (Ed Psych 508) and maintains continuous external funding through WSU research projects. He leads the Washington Assessment of the Risks and Needs of Students (WARNS)—a legislatively mandated tool for identifying at-risk youth—which provides direct support to truant students across Washington State with emphasis on underserved populations.

Labs and Teams:

As a core member of the Learning and Performance Research Center (LPRC), he contributes to the WARNS initiative—an online assessment system deployed in Washington high schools to prevent juvenile justice involvement among truant youth. His statistical leadership shapes both the technical development and practical implementation of this statewide intervention.