Inspiring Learning Award 2021-22 Recipient
Liz Bailey, PhD
"Dr. Bailey was incredible at helping navigate my own feelings towards this project. I loved working with her so much that I applied for a CURA grant to do a study in my home country and Dr. Bailey is going to be my advisor. From the moment that I told her about my idea, she was excited and she met with me multiple times to help me navigate this new goal. She gave me resources and helped me think through some of my problems to be able to submits the grant application on time. She has uplifted me and helped me to feel that I can achieve my research goal. Something else that I love is that she has an LGBTQ flag outside of her office. That gave me assurance that she will provide me with a safe space to be myself. I love her and respect her as my mentor."
In my lab, we conduct biology education research. Specifically, we study course structures, assignments, and activities that help students learn, and we also investigate ways to be more inclusive of women and Indigenous students. I usually have 1-2 graduate students and 10-15 undergraduate students each semester.
Students do it all! They help (1) plan studies and obtain approval from ethics boards, (2) collect and analyze data, and (3) present our data and write manuscripts for publications.
When I was an undergraduate, my research lab was my family and my home at BYU. Now I hope to create that kind of comradery for my students. I also think the best way to learn is by doing, so it's important to me that students are involved in every step of the process when possible.
It's truly the best part of my job, and these students have brightened up many stressful and hard times for me!