Dave Jackson interview (spousal hire)

  1. How do you define the learning sciences and how do you locate yourself within it?
  • Identifies LS as the intersection of many sciences and learning. Foundations in cognitive science and AI
  • How does he locate himself in the learning sciences? He labeled himself as a chemical engineer, middle school teacher of science, engineering, and literacy. And a poet.
  • I would have liked to hear a more assertive identification with LS and a sense of how he hopes to engage with emergent trends in the field. How is your research important in the big picture?
  1. Diversity
  • Working to make the next generation of Waltham’s teachers more representative of the communities they serve.
  • I’m curious whether he’s interested in our community-based, residency-based teacher preparation model.
  1. UB is R1, AAU. What research opportunties do you see at UB?
  • Lots of experience with NSF.
  • Form strong partnerships.
  • Apply for AISL, DRK12, and ITEST
  1. Mentoring doc students.
  • Large research group, 1 or 2 doc students at a time.
  • Draws on teaching experience to support, mentor doc students. “People tell me things.”
  • Informal mentorship. Listening.
  • During Dave’s answer to this question, I felt I got a sense of what he would be like as a colleagues. And liked what I was seeing at an interpersonal level.
  1. What kinds of EdM courses would you be comfortable teaching?
  • Middle school science and engineering education (PreK-12)
  • DBR. Handbook of the cultural foundations of learning.
  • Mixed methods.
  • Design of learning environments.
  • Formal and informal learning.
  1. How do you view collaboration with schools or informal learning communities in relation to your work?
  • Would want to live near or in the communities with whom he works.

Dave’s questions

  • What parterships currently exist and how does the school provide support for community partnerships?
  • Where’s the LS cluster headed?

Summary

Dave seems like a really thoughtful person and scholar who would likely become a well-loved teacher, colleague, and community member. I did not get a sense of a particularly ambitious research agenda (or maybe that was just how he presented during this meeting); his reference to prior research agenda was largely focused on working within research groups led by others. As someone who presents as a white male, Dave doesn’t add numerically to diversity, but he clearly enacts the kinds of interpersonal and discursive practices we need as a department.