Featured Scholar: Elizabeth Wood, PhD
Assistant Professor
Public Scholar of Museums, Families and Learning
IU School of Education and the IU School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Elizabeth Wood applies her research in the areas of learning and human development at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. There she works with staff to develop exhibits that capture the minds of young children as well as programs for teachers that integrate museum learning with their school curricula. Her work as a public scholar is to review and translate all of the current research for the museum staff who do not have the time to do so. Dr. Wood works with staff by helping to focus their ideas and interests as they develop exhibits and programs. She then connects their goals with current research models to help them plan and implement their ideas successfully.
The long-term effect of this interdisciplinary translational effort means that the Children’s Museum acts in an intentional way to meet the needs of children, parents and teachers. Dr. Wood’s expertise and passion serves as a magnificent resource for the museum and helps to make it the world-class institution that it is.
The applications of her research at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis are an excellent example of how faculty at IUPUI are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.