Learning Scientists in Academia and Industry: Building Bridges and Expanding the Potential of our Community

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to spur new conversations and deepen existing ones around how learning sciences (LS) professionals can build bridges through our work in academia and industry and expand the potential of our community. First, we briefly describe the evolution of LS education programs which includes the skill sets needed and the career roles and pathways graduates are prepared for. Next, we propose a role definition of an applied learning scientist (ALS); that is, a learning scientist working outside of academia. We also chronicle a partnership between four learning scientists working in academia and industry. Our paper concludes with reflections and implications for what academics and practitioners learn from one another when they collaborate and promote impactful and scalable environments for learning.