CiC Team
We are researchers from the University of Virginia who are passionate about making education engaging and effective for all learners. Our backgrounds include cognitive and developmental psychology, educational psychology, K12 teaching experience, and a range of research and practice related expertise. Our goal is to find likeminded educators to partner with to work toward the goal of centering curiosity and creativity in education and learning for all students.
Meet the Research Team
Jamie Jirout, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia
Abby Krissinger, M.Ed.
Project and Outreach Manager
Jamie earned her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. She is the director of the Curiosity in Classrooms Project and the Research in Education And Learning lab. Her research takes place in classrooms, in the lab, and out in the community, such as at children's museums. Her research focuses on children's curiosity and question asking, especially within academic contexts,
Abby is a research project and outreach manager for the Research in Education and Learning Lab at the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development. In her role, she supports the lab's projects and connections with schools, camps, and other community partners.
Grace Duggan
Master's Student
Grace is a master's student in UVA's Educational Psychology - Applied Developmental Science program. Before coming to UVA, she earned her undergraduate degrees at Susquehanna University in early childhood education and psychology, with a minor in teaching English as a second language.
Natalie Hutchins
PhD Student
Natalie is a Virginia Education Science Training (VEST) pre-doctoral fellow in the Educational Psychology–Applied Developmental Sciences Ph.D. program. Natalie is interested in researching the development of curiosity and motivation in classrooms and, more precisely, the impact of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivators on children’s learning in STEM fields.
Helena Goldbaum
PhD Student
Helena is a first year PhD student in the Educational Psychology–Applied Developmental Sciences program. She is particularly passionate about understanding how to promote children's learning through persistence and curiosity by focusing on the social aspects of their environment.
Our Partners
