Our research group focuses broadly on social-emotional and motivational aspects of human development and learning, with a particular focus on young people with disabilities. Some students and projects focus primarily on motivation or emotion, and some focus primarily on disability or inclusion, while many bridge between these areas to investigate and promote positive motivational and emotional experiences for all learners.
Aaliyah is a doctoral student in Human Development. Her research interests focus on students with learning disabilities and post-secondary transition.
Beilei is a doctoral student in Teaching and Curriculum. She is interested in self-determination theory and its application in English as a Foreign Language classrooms.
Yaofang is a doctoral student in Human Development. Her research interest is the relationship between family structure, parenting style and child development, with a particular focus on the child’s motivation and academic success.
Shuo is a doctoral student in Human Development. Her research interests are in special education, especially focusing on children with autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities.
Michael is a doctoral student in Teaching and Curriculum. His research interests focus on the mental health and coping strategies of family members of children with significant intellectual disabilities.
Kate is a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership Program. She also works at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. Her research interests include employment transition for people with developmental disabilities, and more broadly how policies and funding impact the services and supports people with disabilities have access to.
Pamela is a doctoral student in Human Development. Her research interests are broadly in early childhood education.
Wondering about why the lab logo features bees? Good question. No, our research has nothing to do with honey bees, hives, stinging, or anything of that sort. When Dr. Daley was working with the wonderful Graham Gardner on a logo, she remembered the (maybe apocryphal?) story of physicists claiming that bees “should not” be able to fly, based on their physical characteristics. Apparently, there were studies done to figure out how they were accomplishing this feat, despite apparently not being built like typical flying creatures (see more about this story here). We won’t get too hung up on the details, but there seems an apt parallel with learners who might do things differently and don’t always have the benefit of positive expectations. The allusion to the University of Rochester Yellowjackets mascot is a happy additional reason for the bees! And, we work together to get a lot done?
Dr. Sami Daley 