Kathleen O'Connor, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Manage and support multiple research projects in the Social Ecology Lab.- Conducting systematic literature reviews: psychosocial inhibitors of climate change action; intersection of environmental education and positive youth development- Co-developing an online questions library to support the use of design thinking to address sustainability issues- Supported research to inform development of new school of climate and sustainability through interviews and knowledge synthesis

San Francisco, California, United States

Oversaw research and evaluation efforts at experiential environmental science education organization.- Designed long-term evaluation plan to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate impacts of environmental science programs- Led multi-campus team of education leaders in process of facilitating data collection, interpreting data and applying findings, implementing system of peer observations, and incorporating best practices in social and emotional learning across campuses- Conducted training on evaluation process and practices for education leadership team- Managed relationships with external researchers- Co-managed development of online Social and Emotional Learning Toolkit for Residential Environmental Learning Centers in process that involved leaders from over a dozen organizations (www.grow-outside.org)- Participated in Evaluation Community of Practice with evaluation leaders from over a dozen national youth-serving organizations

San Francisco, California, United States

Designed and implemented research to identify ways in which residential environmental education programs support social and emotional learning.- Translated current research on environmental education and social and emotional learning for internal communication and incorporation of best practices into education programs- Designed and implemented data collection and analysis, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and surveys- Presented research findings at multiple conferences and national meetings- Managed relationships with external research and evaluation partners- Led process of revising NatureBridge's Core Educational Framework, synthesizing input from practitioners and researchers along with current research across various topics

Engaged in full spectrum of research process, including: study design; participant recruitment; instrument development (surveys; interview, focus group, and observation protocols); data collection, management, and analysis; communicating results to diverse audiences; and translating research for practical application.- Conducted research on learning and identity development in school, out-of-school, and community settings- Designed and pilot tested innovative evaluation methods and tools in experiential learning setting- Co-developed and taught environmental education course to young girls and assessed learning and behavior change- Facilitated relationships between researchers, program evaluators, and community partners- Provided reports, presentations, and recommendations for research partners- Co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles.- Managed IRB protocols

Instructor and Teaching Assistant for multiple courses in qualitative research methods and adolescent development.- Developed and delivered daily lesson plans for graduate and undergraduate courses- Guided masters students through all phases of qualitative research studies- Crafted and delivered lectures, facilitated discussion sections, and mentored student projects

Conducted observations for evaluation of out-of-school STEM programs.

Taught high school students in immersive service-learning program focused on social issues.

Oakland, Ca

Facilitated communication between clients and regulators on multiple projects. Collaborated with contractors on monitoring and remediation projects.

Chicago, Il

Managed grants to assess sediment contamination in Great Lakes region water bodies. Supported grantee scientists through data collection and creation of contaminant maps.

Chicago, Il

Supported On-Scene Coordinators on multiple Superfund Removal projects.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Education: Child And Adolescent Development

Substantial emphasis on human development; STEM learning; research & evaluation methods

Bachelor’S Degree, Environmental Science