Description:

Dr. Haoqi Zhang will present for the Learning Sciences Brown Bag on Thursday, September 25. Dr. Zhang is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Design in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. 

Talk title: Fostering Self-Direction through Design, Technology, and Research (DTR)

Abstract: In this talk, I share my experience founding and directing the Design, Technology, and Research (DTR) program at Northwestern University. DTR is a learning community that uses independent research as a vehicle for students to learn to self-direct complex work and to grow as people. By integrating agile methodologies, social supports, and a suite of tools for learning and collaboration, DTR enables a single faculty member to mentor up to 20 students as they develop their research practice and learn to lead their research projects. Beyond providing research training, DTR helps students build awareness of their patterns, engage more deeply in their activities, find belonging in community, and grow into who they are becoming. I highlight the integral connection between deepening practice and personal growth, and argue for learning spaces in higher education and beyond that cultivate people’s capacity to self-direct their work and lives.

Biography:

Haoqi Zhang is an associate professor in Computer Science and Design at Northwestern University. His work advances the design of integrated socio-technical models that solve complex problems and advance human values. His research work bridges across Computer Science, Design, Learning Science, Psychology, and Philosophy, and is generously supported by the National Science Foundation, and the Center for Advancing Safety in Machine Intelligence.

Haoqi received his PhD in Computer Science and BA in Computer Science and Economics from Harvard University. At Northwestern he founded and directs the Design, Technology, and Research (DTR) program, which provides an original model for learning and growing through research for over 170 students (read the DTR annual letters, available at dtr.northwestern.edu/letters; and watch the DTR documentary, Forward, at http://forward.movie). With Matt Easterday, Liz Gerber, and Nell O'Rourke, Haoqi co-directs the Delta Lab, an interdisciplinary research lab and design studio across computer science, learning science, and design.

Please contact Tammy (tammy.wen@northwestern.edu) to attend by Zoom.