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Hello! I'm Dr. Lu Lawrence!

 

I am an Assistant Professor at Utah State University in the Instructional Technologies and Learning Sciences program. As a learning scientist and design researcher, I work with communities to design learning environments to accomplish their unique learning goals. My research has been published in venues including the British Journal of Educational TechnologyComputers and Education Open, and Journal of Science Education and Technology and has received recognitions, such as the Best Design Paper Award at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences.  

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Before joining USU, I was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California Irvine in the School of Education and Carnegie Mellon in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. I completed my MA and PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Digital Environment for Learning, Teaching, and Agency program, and hold a BFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University. 

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RESEARCH INTERESTS:

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Design-Based Research

Design Justice

Participatory Design

Learning Sciences

Collaboration

Educational Technology

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CURRENT PROJECTS

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PROJECT UNITE: UNIFIED NETWORKS IN TRANSITION EXCELLENCE
Project UNITE aims to improve transition services for students with disabilities. We work in collaboration with educators, counselors, and administrators to unify efforts for transition service delivery. 
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EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ACCESS ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Led by the Student Unified for Reproductive Freedom club at USU, we are evaluating the availability of reproductive healthcare items on campus, including emergency contraception. 
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COMMUNITY-ENGAGED STRATEGIC PLANNING WITH SWANER PRESERVE & ECO-CENTER  
With Swaner Preserve & Eco Center, we are developing community informed strategic goal, and seek to explore how organizations can integrate community voices into decision-making.
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BEAR RIVER REGION LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY COALITION
The coalition is dedicated to improving health equity and holistic well-being for LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones in Northern Utah to foster greater inclusion and a stronger sense of community throughout this region.
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COMMUNITY JUSTICE
ADVOCATE PROGRAM

The Community Justice Advocate Program aims to expand access to justice in Utah by training and certifying social workers and other helping professionals to deliver accessible civil legal services. 
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 EXPERIENCES OF COMMUNITY SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATORS 
This study explores how community sexual health educators in rural Utah navigate the cultural norms while providing sex education by bridging values gaps and foster open dialogue about sexual health.

HIGHLIGHTED WORK

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NEWS ARTICLE. 
Contraception vending machine possibly coming to Logan campus, The Utah Statesman, March 31, 2025 
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NEWS ARTICLE. 
USU student group steps up as Planned Parenthood closes clinicsUtah Public Radio, April 29, 2025
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NEWS ARTICLE. 
CEHS Undergrads Receive Robust Opportunities to Thrive in ResearchUtah State TODAY, May 6th, 2024 
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LuEttaMae (Lu) Lawrence, Ph.D.

luettamaelawrence [at] gmail [dot] com

lu [dot] lawrence [at] usu [dot] com

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