معرفی
David H. Uttal is a Professor of Education and Psychology at Northwestern University, holding dual appointments in the School of Education and Social Policy and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on cognitive development, spatial cognition, and symbolic representation, with a particular emphasis on STEM education and spatial thinking's role in academic achievement. He earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1989.
Uttal has received prestigious awards, including the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society’s Research Translation Award (2022) and the George A. Miller Award from the American Psychological Association (2014). He has served on grant review panels for the U.S. Department of Education and editorial boards for journals like Merrill-Palmer Quarterly.
His work bridges theory and practice, investigating how spatial skills influence STEM learning and developing curricula to enhance spatial reasoning. He co-leads the S.T.A.R. (Spatial Thinking and Representations) Lab and collaborates with the Spatial Intelligence and Learning Center (SILC), focusing on interdisciplinary spatial education. His research spans museum-based learning, GIS applications, and the cognitive foundations of spatial thinking.
- Key Projects: STAR Lab, SILC, spatial training interventions, and spatial assessment tools
- Grants: NSF-funded projects on spatial cognition and geospatial education
- Service: Fellow of the American Psychological Association, roles in professional organizations like the Cognitive Development Society
Uttal’s contributions address spatial skill gaps, equity in STEM, and the design of effective educational technologies to support lifelong learning.
