Evrim Baran

Dr. Evrim Baran is an internationally recognized scholar in educational technology, digital learning, and instructional design, with a focus on STEM education, teacher preparation, and workforce development. As a professor at Iowa State University, her research explores the design, development, and evaluation of learning technologies to transform education in K-12, higher education, and professional training environments.

Her scholarship has contributed to the field through the development of theoretical frameworks, assessment instruments, and professional learning models, many of which have been implemented across different international education systems. She has led international research collaborations and technology-enhanced learning initiatives working with educators, policymakers, and institutions to drive systemic change in digital learning.

Dr. Baran’s work is at the forefront of educational innovation, particularly in: (a) Digital learning in higher education – exploring emerging instructional design models, AI-powered learning experiences, and online teaching strategies. (b) STEM education for K-12 and workforce development – designing technology-enhanced learning environments to support STEM teacher education in formal and informal settings. (c) AI in education – investigating how artificial intelligence can enhance learning design, assessment, and teacher professional development, ensuring ethical and responsible AI integration in education. (d) Training the next generation of learning and instructional designers – preparing future instructional designers, learning architects, and educational technologists through cutting-edge coursework, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Dr. Baran’s research has been supported by leading funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), European Commission, German Research Foundation, and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. She has been involved in funded projects that have influenced teacher education, digital learning transformation, and AI literacy initiatives across multiple countries.

With over 100 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings, Dr. Baran has made significant contributions to technology-enhanced learning research. Her scholarship has shaped theoretical frameworks in teacher professional development, online learning, and human-computer interaction, offering new perspectives on the integration of emerging technologies in education.

At Iowa State University, Dr. Baran teaches courses in instructional design, educational technologies, and human computer interaction. She actively mentors graduate students, fostering interdisciplinary research that bridges the learning sciences, instructional design, and educational technology. Through her leadership, she has prepared the next generation of instructional designers and UX researchers who are now working in academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations worldwide.

Dr. Baran’s contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous research, teaching, and service awards from leading organizations, including AERA, SITE, and AECT.