Christian Schunn

Christian Schunn is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on Learning Sciences and cognitive processes. He holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. His research spans scientific reasoning, peer assessment, STEM education, and computational modeling. He leads a lab with active members including Liwei Chen and Jie Cao (PhD students) and former advisees such as Yaron Doppelt and Matt Mehalik.

Key research interests include the efficacy of peer feedback in education, design-based learning in engineering, and cognitive strategies in STEM. He has contributed to over 150 publications, emphasizing peer assessment systems like Peerceptiv and their impact on learning outcomes. His work often bridges cognitive science and educational practice, addressing equity in STEM pathways and motivational factors in student performance.

Lab activities include studies on team dynamics in design, computational thinking, and the role of analogical reasoning. He collaborates internationally with institutions like Northeast Normal University and the Harbin Institute of Technology. Current grants focus on improving peer feedback mechanisms and their scalability in diverse educational settings.

Awards include recognition for contributions to educational technology and learning analytics. His lab is part of the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), fostering interdisciplinary research in cognitive and educational sciences.