Laura Roberts

Laura Roberts is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Integrative and Global Studies department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), within The Global School. She also serves as Director of the Worcester Community Project Center (WCPC), one of over 50 WPI project centers worldwide, where students conduct community-based research at the intersection of society and technology.

• BS, University of Connecticut – Social Policy and Human Development
• MPA, Seton Hall University – Nonprofit Management
• MEd, Eastern Nazarene College

Her research and teaching focus on community engagement, project-based learning, food security, health equity, and qualitative research methods. She emphasizes practical, field-based learning and brings extensive nonprofit experience to her pedagogy. Roberts is a strong advocate for integrating social impact into STEM education.

Her recent scholarly work centers on innovative teaching tools, particularly the use of AI in academic research and writing, and playful pedagogy for qualitative methods. She co-hosts the podcast Methods to our Madness, and has published and presented widely on AI literacy and educational innovation.

• President's IQP Award Honorable Mention (2020)
• Campus Compact Engaged Scholar (2023)
• Teaching Innovation Grant (2024)
• Center for Project Based Learning Faculty Fellow (2024)
• Morgan Center Professional Learning Community on Generative AI (2024–2025)

Laura Roberts advises numerous student projects through WPI’s Interactive Qualifying Program and serves as faculty advisor for the WPI Food Recovery Network. She is actively involved in community initiatives, including refugee resettlement and the United Way Women's Initiative. Her work fosters strong university-community partnerships aimed at addressing local and global challenges.