About the Department of Engineering Education
The Department of Engineering Education (EEd) at UF advances the study, practice, and innovation of engineering learning across the entire learner lifespan. Engineering education research (EER) examines how engineers are formed — from K–12 through undergraduate, graduate, and professional pathways — and uses evidence-based, interdisciplinary approaches to improve engineering learning, performance, motivation, and long-term success.
EED brings together engineering, social sciences, learning sciences, and human-centered research to better understand the contexts and factors that shape engineering performance, persistence, and professional identity.
| Vision | To advance research, innovation, and development for a future-ready engineering education and workforce. |
| Mission | Our department advances applied teaching and research that solve pressing national and global challenges in engineering learning, student success, workforce readiness, and retention. Through evidence-based, data-driven work, we translate research into practice to support lifelong engineering excellence. |
| Core Values Human-Centered Impact — Elevating the role engineering plays in society and individuals’ lives. Experiential Engagement — Promoting real-world, hands-on learning that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Learner Centeredness — Applying evidence-based teaching across all stages of the learner journey. Inter- & Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration — Spanning diverse disciplines to strengthen research, teaching, and service. Agency — Empowering learners to make informed decisions about their learning. Community — Cultivating a supportive environment grounded in respect and collaboration. | |
Engineering Education Research (EER) seeks to understand and improve engineering learning and professional formation. Conducted through quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method, and multidisciplinary approaches, EER explores:
- Engineering performance, motivation, and persistence
- Learning and assessment practices (including SoTL)
- Discipline-Based Engineering Education Research (DBER)
- Sociotechnical, humanistic, and broader societal factors influencing engineering success
A central goal of EER is translation — turning research into practice through improved teaching, outreach, policy, and programs that positively shape engineering pathways.
UF’s commitment to engineering education began with the Institute for Excellence in Engineering Education (IE3) in 2016. Building on its success, the Department of Engineering Education (EED) was launched in 2019 to advance EER and support innovative teaching across the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
Today, EED leads and supports programs such as:
- Undergraduate certificates (AI Fundamentals & Applications)
- Undergraduate computer engineering courses
- Industry-sponsored capstone experiences (IPPD)
- Graduate certificates in engineering education
- M.S. programs in Applied Data Science and AI Systems
- Ph.D. in Engineering Education
These efforts reflect our commitment to preparing future researchers, practitioners, and leaders who drive positive change in engineering education