Our research drives innovations in education, counseling, assessment, and leadership. We are effectively preparing the next generation of exceptional teachers, counselors, and administrators, bettering rural mental health support through innovative tele-medicine, and increasing partnerships with schools, communities, and other organizations.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Graduate Psychology Education
The Iowa Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) program is intended to train future psychologists in the Counseling Psychology (CP) program to develop and implement a sustainable training program in telepsychology for opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment in rural Iowa.
Interdisciplinary Training Project in Special Education and School Psychology
The Interdisciplinary Training Project in Special Education and School Psychology (SP2) addresses national, regional, and state shortages of special education and school psychologists by preparing them in intensive intervention and assessment for school-aged children with disabilities who have high-intensity needs.
STEM Excellence and Leadership Program
Implementing the STEM Excellence and Leadership Program to Understand the Role of Local Agency in Broadening High-Potential, Rural Students’ STEM Participation and Achievement prepares rural, high potential middle school (grades 6–8) students for advanced STEM educational pathways.
Fulbright Hays Group Project Abroad in Namibia
The University of Iowa has been awarded a Fulbright Hays Group Project Abroad grant to bring Iowa social studies teachers to Namibia from approximately June 27- July 25, 2025. Participants will travel as a group to Namibia, where they will learn from historians and education scholars, visit historic sites, and collaborate with Namibian social studies teachers to develop curriculum.
In the News
In the news: Bowman’s research investigates how introductory STEM courses affect academic success
Case brings major STEM-based research grant to UI College of Education
U.S. Department of Education grant addresses teacher shortage, diversifies workforce
Coleman selected as national fellow to study book-banning practices and LGBTQ+ activism
Eight faculty-led projects funded by Seeding Excellence Initiative
