Center for Educational Development and Research

Benjamin Heddy, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma in the Learning Sciences program. In June 2023 he was named associate dean for research and graduate education and Director of CEDaR. Heddy received his Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of Southern California. Currently, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on the topics of motivation, cognition, learning theory, human development and research methods.

His research program focuses on cognitive and motivational aspects of learning; including engagement, academic emotions, interest development, and further specializing in the investigation of learning activities that occur in everyday experience. As a second related line of research he studies the mechanisms of conceptual, emotion, and attitude change. His research has been published in Science Education and Psychology Today. Benjamin is currently serving as the Chair of the Committee for the Development of Early Career Educational Psychologists for Division 15 of the American Psychological Association. He has been selected to serve on the Coalition for Psychology in Schools in Education for the American Psychological Association. He won the OU Jeanine Rainbolt College of Education Graduate Student Mentoring Award for 2017.

Tom Kirk has been manager of CEDaR since October 2024. An OU alum (B.A. in Letters) and education professional with nearly thirty years’ teaching experience, Tom also holds an M.A. from New York University and a Ph.D. from the European University Institute (Economic History). He taught English for many years at the University of Siena in Italy, and History at the New York University and Florida State University programs in Florence, Italy.

Since returning to Oklahoma in 2011, he taught at the University of Central Oklahoma and, more recently, worked on federally funded programs supporting PreK-12 education at the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Tom has published extensively in the field of economic history and translated several works both to and from Italian. When not at CEDaR, you will find him either riding or working on a bicycle.  

Justin MacDonald is a PhD student and graduate research assistant (GRA) in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) program at the OU Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education (JRCoE).  

Justin has an MBA from the University of New Mexico, a MEd in School Leadership from Harvard University, an MST in Science Teaching in Physics from New Mexico Tech, and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction in History from New Mexico State University.   His BA degree was in Anthropology and Sociology from New Mexico State University.  He has worked as an educator in both middle and high school math/science/history for 10 years and also as an administrator in both middle and high school for 6 years. He also worked in multiple science fields and mental health fields.  

Justin’s research interests are varied and include creativity, motivation, engagement, belief change, social emotional well-being, and science education.  He hopes to assist fellow researchers and students in the fields of education research, qualitative research, and study development at CEDaR.  Outside of the education sphere, Justin is a musician, artist, outdoor fanatic, proud father, and life-long learner. 

Huiting Zhou (She/Her) is a Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant in Learning Sciences program with the Educational Psychology department at OU Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education (JRCoE).

Huiting began her academic journey at Hainan Normal University in China, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. During her time in China, she obtained her teaching credentials in Mental Health Education and gained valuable internship experiences in primary and secondary schools. Following her undergraduate studies, Huiting ventured to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Learning Sciences at OU. Her current research interests revolve around the complex issues of cyberbullying and online harassment.

Huiting is deeply passionate about assisting fellow researchers in the fields of education research, quantitative research, and data analysis at CEDaR. Beyond her work and studies, she enjoys taking her dog to the dog park for some playtime. Huiting also has a love for cooking a variety of Chinese dishes and indulging in Korean dramas during her free time.