Bio
About
Justin Szabo, PhD, is a research scientist in the Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE) in the ISU School of Education. As a research scientist, Justin provides educational research and evaluation services for projects and programs, both internal and external to Iowa State University, which has included work with agencies like NSF, USDA, Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa community colleges, among others.
Prior to serving in the role as research scientist, Dr. Szabo served as assistant director of continuing and distance education and individual studies at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). In the role as assistant director at UNI, Justin worked collaboratively with deans, department heads, and faculty members to schedule distance and online courses for graduate and undergraduate programs, the Guided Independent Study program, as well as served as campus coordinator for the National Student Exchange program. Justin also served as an instructor in the Individual Studies department at UNI as well, teaching upper-division undergraduate students the research process and facilitating departmental student learning outcomes assessment efforts. Additionally, Dr. Szabo has taught graduate courses in research methods in the ISU School of Education, as well as directing and developing online learning in UNI’s College of Education.
Dr. Szabo’s academic preparations include a PhD in Education from Drake University, a MAE in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs and a BA in General Studies both from UNI, and a year as a participant of National Student Exchange at New Mexico State University. Dr. Szabo’s research interests include emerging technologies, in particular virtual and augmented reality in education, designing virtual learning environments for education, and adapting qualitative research methods to virtual worlds.
Research Interests
Dr. Szabo’s research interests include emerging technologies, in particular virtual and augmented reality in education, designing virtual learning environments for education, and adapting qualitative research methods to virtual worlds.