Michelle Perry

Michelle Perry is a Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with appointments at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. Her research focuses on children's acquisition of mathematical concepts in elementary classrooms, teacher professional development through online platforms, and equity in STEM education. She has received NSF funding for projects examining gesture-based learning and statistical concept development.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., The University of Chicago
• Research Interests:
  • Mathematics education and cognitive development
  • Online learning environments and teacher professional development
  • Equity in STEM for underrepresented students
  • Gesture-speech integration in education
  • Statistical reasoning and virtual manipulatives
• Scientific Awards:
  • Richard C. Anderson Professor of Cognitive Science of Teaching & Learning
• Recent Publications:
  • 2025: Gesturing to understand abstract mathematical concepts
  • 2025: Online video instruction and student engagement
  • 2024: Teacher mindset theories and classroom observation skills
  • 2023: Digital help-seeking and social presence
• Advising & Grants:
  • Mentored NSF-funded projects on teacher development
  • Collaborated with University of Chicago and NYU researchers