The learning sciences at the University at Buffalo can significantly enhance expansive learning at scale to address pressing societal problems through technology research and development, community engaged research-practice partnerships and transformation of the university's role in learning.
Our mission is to conduct sustained, systemic and interdisciplinary research and design in the learning sciences in order to transform learning to be more impactful and equitable. We draw on what the literature terms “expansive learning.” Expansive learning is transformative learning; it involves not old ways to learn new things, or new ways to learn old things, but rather new ways of learning new things that can potentially transform communities, institutions and cultures to address problems we’ve never solved before.
Our institute works simultaneously on three areas of impact to ensure our research is relevant and responsive.
Our institute contributes to research, design, training, and pedagogy. We welcome inquiries for collaboration. Prospective doctoral students may wish to apply to any of the academic programs with which ILS faculty are associated, including: