Vesal Dini

Vesal Dini is a Lecturer in both the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Education program at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on Physics Education Research (PER), particularly how learners engage in scientific practices through their views of knowledge (personal epistemologies), emotions in scientific inquiry (epistemic affect), and the role of social caring and empathy in STEM education. He holds a PhD in Physics from Tufts University (2017), an MS in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania (2003), and a BSE in Bioengineering from the same institution (1999).

Dr. Dini’s work explores pathways to equity and inclusion in STEM through studies on formative assessment practices, teacher professional development, and online learning environments. He has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research on facilitation practices of learning assistants. His teaching spans undergraduate courses such as General Physics, Introductory Modern Physics, and laboratory modules. He actively contributes to initiatives promoting responsive teaching strategies and epistemic empathy among educators.

His publications emphasize methodologies for evaluating scientific engagement, the design of effective professional development programs, and the integration of socio-emotional dimensions into STEM pedagogy. Current projects investigate the interplay between personal epistemology and disciplinary learning, particularly in quantum mechanics instruction.