Sara Broaders

Sara Broaders serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Instruction in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University. Her office is located in Swift Hall 243, and she can be reached at 847-491-3652.

Dr. Broaders' research focuses on several interconnected areas within cognitive and educational psychology. Her primary current interest examines how student technology use in classrooms impacts learning outcomes. She has made significant contributions to understanding the role of gesture in cognition and communication, particularly in forensic interview contexts where she investigates how both interviewers and witnesses use gestures and what functions these gestures serve. Her work also extends to memory development and the role of gesture in cognitive development and problem solving.

Analysis of her publication record shows a consistent focus on the intersection of gesture, cognition, and learning. Her research demonstrates how nonverbal communication, particularly gesture, reveals implicit knowledge and can facilitate learning processes, especially in educational and forensic settings.

As Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Broaders plays a key administrative role in shaping the undergraduate psychology curriculum and student experience at Northwestern University.