Our research drives innovations in education, counseling, assessment, and leadership. We are effectively preparing the next generation of exceptional teachers, bettering rural mental health support through innovative tele-medicine, facilitating anti-racism research focused on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the classroom, at the college level, and nationally.

Research Spotlight

Katharine Broton discusses her research on food insecurity. 

Gerta Bardhoshi addresses the mental health needs of students.

Sherry Watt discusses difficult dialogues, and alumni Eddie Moore, Jr. and Laura Gallo address equity in education.

Centers and Initiatives

The college houses numerous world-class research centers and initiatives that focus on an array of topics pertinent to education and society. 

For a complete listing of our research centers and initiatives, please visit:

Centers and Initiatives

Daytime image of Belin-Blank building

Belin-Blank Center

The Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development is a comprehensive center focused on nurturing potential and inspiring excellence through myriad programs and services.

Old Capitol on the University of Iowa Pentacrest

Scanlan Center for School Mental Health

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health expands support for mental health to Pre-K-12 educators and schools across the state. This includes training, resources, and outreach to support student mental health so all students, educators, and schools can be successful and resilient.

Adult with children in classroom

Iowa Reading Research Center

The Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC) works to improve the literacy proficiency of PK-12 students and conducts research in practical settings in order to evaluate the effectiveness of literacy practices and the usefulness of assessments for guiding literacy instruction.

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Multicultural Initiatives Research Team (MCI)

The Multicultural Initiatives Research Team (MCI) researches ways of being in relationship, constructs and strategies that disrupt dehumanizing practices that perpetuate inequity. 

Funded Grants

The College of Education faculty are currently engaged in over 65 federal, state, and private funded projects. Since 2005, COE faculty have been awarded over $25,000,000 for research, professional development, specialized student and leadership training, center development, and assessment/evaluation projects. 

For a complete listing of externally funded grants, please visit: 

Grants

In the News

Amira Nash teaching

U.S. Department of Education grant addresses teacher shortage, diversifies workforce

Thursday, February 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the UI College of Education a $1.26 million grant for a program that will partner with Iowa school districts, community colleges, and community partners. The program will support 40 high quality elementary teachers through coursework and field experiences, resulting in a Bachelor of Arts, a teaching license, and a K12 ESL endorsement in Iowa.
pride tiger hawk logo painted on the street

Coleman selected as national fellow to study book-banning practices and LGBTQ+ activism

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
James Joshua (Josh) Coleman, assistant professor of English education, is the recipient of a National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer postdoctoral fellowship to research book-banning practices and LGBTQ+ educational activism in the Midwest.
Picture of UI research facility, with blue sky above.

Eight faculty-led projects funded by Seeding Excellence Initiative

UI's Office of the Vice President for Research has selected the winners of eight pilot grants--several of which are led by College of Education faculty--intended to sustain the continued growth of the campus research enterprise by providing competitive seed funding in strategic areas.
Educational Measurement and Statistics students talking in a Lindquist Center classroom

College of Education faculty, students share cutting-edge research at national meetings

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
More than 90 College of Education faculty and graduate students are presenting cutting-edge research at the American Education Research Association and National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) annual meetings. 
HESA doctoral candidate Nicole Tennessen

Tennessen seeks understanding of how data is used to support student success

Thursday, April 6, 2023
Nicole Tennessen's research explores how institutional data is used to support student success. Tennessen decided to pursue her doctorate at Iowa, thanks to the renowned and nationally ranked Higher Education and Student Affairs Program.