Brian A. Burt, Ph.D.

Dr. Brian A. Burt is the Director and Chief Research Scientist at the Wei LAB. His program of research uses qualitative methodological approaches to study the experiences of graduate students, and the institutional policies and practices that influence students’ educational and workforce pathways. His current research projects fall in two strands: 1) understanding team-based science, and 2) exploring the experiences of underrepresented graduate students of color in engineering. Through this program of research, Dr. Burt seeks to provide new understandings of the complexity of science participation. The aim of his research is to better understand the experiences that promote or turn students away from science pathways. The implications of this work have the capacity to improve student-to-faculty (as well as student-to-student) interactions, and inform recommendations for the (re)design of supportive learning environments.

In addition to his work with the Wei LAB, Dr. Burt is an Associate Professor of Higher Education in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a National Science Foundation CAREER Awardee and a National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow.