UW–Madison’s Martina Rau has received the Early Career Award from the International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS).
Rau is an associate professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Psychology.
The call for nominations notes that ISLS’ Early Career Award “recognizes learning scientists who have made exciting and innovative contributions to the field during the early years following their PhD. Successful nominees will have demonstrated a notable contribution to the learning sciences and the potential for future contributions.”
This is the first year the annual award has been granted in the 20-year history of the society.
Rau’s research seeks to describe the perceptual, cognitive, and sociocultural processes involved in representational competencies: knowledge about how the visual diagrams and representations show information relevant to scientific reasoning and used in professional practices. Her contributions support the development of representational competencies to enhance students’ success in STEM areas, such as K-12 mathematics, undergraduate chemistry, and electrical engineering.
“I attended my first ISLS conference in 2012,” said Rau. “Since then, the society has been my academic home where I find inspiration. I’m deeply honored that they value my research as well as my contributions to the society. That I’m receiving this award in the year that the ISLS conference is being hosted by my native country makes it extra special.”
Rau will be recognized in a formal ceremony at the ISLS annual meeting (online), which will be hosted in Bochum, Germany, June 7-11.