The TRANSdisciplinary Convergence in Educational Neuroscience Doctoral (TRANSCEND) training program seeks to address two major challenges facing our educational system:
(1) designing and delivering education that helps each student reach their full potential and (2) closing the achievement gap that negatively impacts youth from underrepresented groups (URGs).
This NSF funded program is grounded in Educational Neuroscience (EdNeuro), a cross-disciplinary field which promises to revolutionize education by transcending the present one-size-fits-all approach and personalizing learning. Our approach seeks to help realize EdNeuro’s potential by bringing together transdisciplinary research training in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Education, Engineering, Computer Science and Math. With a strong emphasis on neurodiversity, team science, and co-creation of research and training opportunities with community stakeholders TRANSCEND will prepare diverse cohorts of trainees (50 PhD students, including 25 funded trainees) with the technical and transferable professional skills needed to excel in the 21st century STEM workforce within and outside of academia.
Innovation in EdNeuro
TRANSCEND integrates faculty from 3 colleges/schools and 5 departments, currently siloed within distinct degree programs. Our integrated EdNeuro Bidirectional Approach and Cyclical Model that requires convergence of multiple disciplines, will lead to more ecologically valid research grounded in practice, and rapid translation of research to practice.
Neurodiversity
TRANSCEND centers neurodiverse learners (e.g., with ADHD, dyslexia, and/or autism spectrum disorder) both as a key population of investigation and as trainees. TRANSCEND will prioritize recruitment and retention of neurodiverse trainees, capitalizing on our expansive network including NSF INCLUDES partners.
Team Science
We expand on UConn NRTs that leveraged problem-based learning, and add deliberate and formal implementation of team science approaches while considering diversity (in both demography and expertise) to enhance team creativity and productivity; and to facilitate collaborations, cultural competence, and career readiness. The Graduate School will support efforts to develop new modes of dissertation research based on transdisciplinary teams.
Community
To enhance TRANSCEND’s impact, the program will cultivate a culture of support and sense of belonging through internships; receiving and providing mentorship; and participation of partners, community stakeholders, trainees’ families, and faculty and students from other institutions in program activities. Transformations to graduate training and research will be sustained beyond NSF funding by a planned graduate certificate in EdNeuro. Practices and strategies learned will be disseminated widely for other institutions to follow the TRANSCEND model.
News
- Amid my Ph.D. struggles I learned I am neurodivergenthttps://www.science.org/content/article/amid-phd-struggles-learned-neurodivergent-found-ways-thrive
- Podcast alert! by co-PI Arash Zaghi & Trainee Hayes BrennerPodcast alert! Harmonizing with Autism: An Intimate Conversation with our trainee — Hayes Brenner Podcast alert! Harmonizing with Autism: An Intimate Conversation with our trainee — Hayes Brenner
- New Paper Alert! “Being Neurodivergent in Academia”https://elifesciences.org/articles/93980
- An internship opportunity @NewselaNewsela is hiring an intern for this summer. They are looking for someone with: strong quantitative skills and; an interest in educational technology Please contact Kayleigh Ryherd (she/her), Lead Research Analyst @Newsela, at kayleigh.ryherd@newsela.com for more information.
- Article: Your guide to neurodiversity and other neuro termshttps://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/1011/1328464-neurodiversity-neurotypical-neurodivergence-neurotypical/
- NYTimes Article: Temple Grandin/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/09/opinion/temple-grandin-visual-thinking-autism.html
- Square Pegs — a podcast on neurodiversity hosted by co-PI ArashClick the images below to listen: Follow Square Pegs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SquarePegsPod
- Poster Presentation at #NRT2022NRT 2022 Annual Meeting at VT Poster
- Program FlyerTRANSCEND NRT Recruitment Flyer 2023
Upcoming Events
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Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery at UConn Health All Day
11/6
Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery at UConn Health
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
All Day
UConn Health
Barbara Hocker presents a series of tranquil abstracts entitled “Water Poems” and Jennifer Okumura presents her abstract series entitled “Joy.” Stop by to view these exhibits in the north side of our main dining facility from Aug. 8 through Nov. 7. Join us for a reception Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
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Compliance and Ethics Week is November 3-9 All Day
11/6
Compliance and Ethics Week is November 3-9
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
All Day
Win an Amazon Gift Card
Play Office of University Compliance (OUC) Trivia this week and enter for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card.
Entries accepted through November 9.
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DPhiL Week All Day
11/6
DPhiL Week
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
All Day
Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. present DPhiL Week where we celebrate our everlasting sisterhood through a week of fun events!
Donate to have sisters do dares to raise money for our philanthropies, the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation and Red Canary Song! Dare a DPhiL will be all week!