Ruthann Thomas

Ruthann C. Thomas, Ph.D. (she/her) is a cognitive scientist, an educational developer, and a seasoned classroom teacher. She is Associate Director of Teaching and Learning at MIT’s Teaching + Learning Lab, where she develops and collaborates on initiatives for MIT educators to promote equitable and inclusive teaching practices and learning environments. She also teaches in a program for MIT graduate students and postdocs on evidence-based teaching techniques grounded in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Ruthann previously held roles as an Associate Professor (with tenure) of Psychology at Hendrix College and a postdoctoral research scientist at Washington University in St. Louis where she conducted research applying cognitive psychology to enhance educational practice. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Her work is anchored in a deep commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable learning experiences and sharing teaching strategies based in the science of learning.