Jessica Luke

Dr. Jessica Luke is the Director of the Master of Arts in Museology (MA-Muse) program and a Teaching Professor at the Information School, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. A learning scientist and educator with over 25 years of experience, she bridges museum studies, educational psychology, and informal learning environments to advance educational practices in museums.

Education:

• PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Maryland College Park
• MA in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto

Her research focuses on

• art museum education
• critical and creative thinking
• youth development
• family learning dynamics
• social-emotional learning in museums
• exhibit design evaluation

. She examines how museum experiences influence wellbeing, cognition, and emotional responses, particularly in children and families.

Recent publications highlight trends in her work, including

• social-emotional behaviors in children’s museums
• awe’s impact on critical thinking during art museum visits
• stress reduction through cultural experiences
• virtual reality applications in educational reform
• theoretical foundations of play in museum settings
• interdisciplinary research methodologies

. Prior to UW, she collaborated with scholars John Falk and Lynn Dierking at the Institute for Learning Innovation, contributing to national museum research projects.

Contact: jjluke@uw.edu | Alumni House, Suite 302, 1415 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98105