In the Identity & Academic Motivation Lab, we work to understand how students’ identity (how they view themselves and their social groups) affects their motivation in school, from preschool through college. We want to learn more about social influences on students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The lab is directed by Allison Master, an assistant professor at the University of Houston College of Education.

Our research is supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, the National Science Foundation and the Ready Mind Project at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. In addition to having a laboratory at UH, we collaborate with faculty and staff at the UW Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. We also partner with schools in Washington state and Rhode Island.