Karan Watson

Karan Watson is a Senior Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Regents Professor at Texas A&M University. He serves as Interim Director of the Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation (IEEI). His career spans over four decades with a focus on engineering education innovation, diversity initiatives, and pedagogical reform. Watson holds dual fellowships from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Watson earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1982. His research emphasizes transformative educational practices, including generative AI ethics in academia, inclusive curriculum design, and faculty development programs. He has pioneered initiatives like the Texas A&M System LSAMP program to increase STEM diversity and led institutional change efforts through ABET accreditation frameworks.

Key research interests include:

• Educational technology integration
• Assessment methodologies
• Global engineering education
• Racial justice in academia
• Learner diversity support systems
• Workplace equity

His work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the U.S. President's Award for Mentoring Minorities and Women, and the Crawford Teaching Award. Watson has authored over 140 publications focusing on engineering education reform, faculty development, and systemic change strategies.

Watson leads the Mechanical Engineering Teaching Community of Practice and coordinates multidisciplinary initiatives like the Texas A&M System LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate program. His current projects explore post-GenAI pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and faculty preparedness for emerging technologies.