Mags Blackie

Dr. Mags Blackie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering and serves as Associate Director for the Centre for Advancing Undergraduate Science Education (CAUSE). Her interdisciplinary career spans synthetic medicinal chemistry and science education research, with prior academic appointments at Stellenbosch University and Rhodes University in South Africa.

Education includes:

• PhD in Education (Stellenbosch University, 2022)
• PhD in Chemistry (University of Cape Town, 2002)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (University of Wales, 2005)
• BSc(Hons) in Chemistry (University of Cape Town, 1998)
• BSc in Chemistry & Biochemistry (Rhodes University, 1997)

Research explores knowledge architecture in science education, reliable assessment frameworks, and the implications of generative AI. Her work emphasizes epistemic justice, disciplinary knowledge construction, and embodied learning in tertiary education. Current projects include longitudinal studies on student development across international engineering programs and decolonization of science curricula.

Publications demonstrate strong trends in educational assessment innovation, critical realism applications, and cross-cultural curriculum analysis. Recent works frequently address AI’s transformative impact on pedagogy, epistemic equity in knowledge systems, and chemical engineering education reform.

Awards and honors:

• Stellenbosch University Distinguished Teacher Award (2020)
• South African Chemical Society Education Medal (2020)
• Stellenbosch University Teaching Fellowship (2020–2022)

No information provided regarding student advising, research grants, laboratory affiliations, or team collaborations.