Research Interests:
Biology Education Research
The Shortlidge Biology Education Research Group aims to better understand teaching and learning practices in biology and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. There is ample evidence that as educators we need to improve how we teach science and how we create community and interact with students. Our work generally focuses on the goal of improving STEM education. Dr. Shortlidge is involved in a number of campus-wide endeavors to enhance instructor professional development and extend inclusive, evidence-based teaching practices across classrooms at PSU.
Current Projects:
- Studying the development, implementation and outcomes of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)
- Understanding the efficacy of graduate teaching assistants teaching CUREs, as well as their experiences and training in evidence-based teaching practices
- Investigating how STEM transfer students develop a sense of belonging and become integrated into the scientific community
- Developing a framework by which to understand what interdisciplinary science can look like in the undergraduate classroom