Tina Grotzer
Tina Grotzer is a member of the Faculty of Education and a Principal Research Scientist at Harvard University. She is a cognitive scientist who studies learning and education as it relates to the complexity of our world and specifically to sustainability and climate education. Her work as Principal Investigator (PI) of the Cognition in a Complex World Lab studies ways in which infusing Causal Learning in the Classroom (CLiC) can support the development of sustainable thinkers and climate knowledgeable citizens. In related work, Tina is also a PI on the EcoLEARN team at the Harvard Graduate School of Education which develops virtual worlds and other immersive, technology-based experiences to support understanding of ecosystems dynamics. This research has been funded primarily by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Tina is also Faculty Directory of the Next Level Lab (NLL) with a focus on the future of work in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Her work with NLL seeks to redefine visions of optimal learning and work performance with project strands focused on what it means to be an expert learner and on preparing for green jobs for the future. The Next Level Lab has been funded primarily by Accenture Corporate Citizenship.
Tina's publications include many articles, book chapters, and a book. She was awarded a Career Award from NSF in 2009 and a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by the United States Government in 2011. Prior to her research, she was a teacher and district-level administrator in a local public school system. As a first generation student, she began her education at Dutchess Community College prior to receiving a B.A. from Vassar College and her master’s and doctorate from Harvard University. Her strong belief in the power of education is rooted in these experiences (with a special thank you to Dean Colton Johnson at Vassar for his support along the way).