Olivia Cornfield is a Research Associate for the Learning and Technology program at WestEd. Her current work primarily centers on examining the impacts of educational technologies on learning and engagement. She co-leads multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants funded by IES, NSF, and NIH. She has experience conducting usability, feasibility, and randomized-controlled trials. Her roles encompass participant recruitment, study onboarding and implementation, communication with teachers and districts, internal collaboration, and the development of informative research reports aimed at improving educational tools for future use.
Cornfield is a dedicated coordinator of studies, ensuring that every research project she undertakes runs smoothly from participant recruitment to study onboarding and implementation.Cornfield values fostering collaborative working relationships within WestEd and with external partners.
Cornfield is enthusiastic about collaborating with her WestEd colleagues on projects that bridge the realms of science education and social and emotional learning. Her interest lies in exploring the potential of hands-on and playful learning experiences within maker-spaces and outdoor environments. She firmly believes that such experiences can effectively enhance students’ 21st-century skills while providing naturalistic opportunities for social and emotional learning. By combining these two areas of interest, Cornfield aspires to contribute to the development of innovative and holistic educational approaches that nurture students’ overall growth and well-being.
Cornfield earned a masters degree in learning design, innovation, and technology from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and a bachelors degree in cognitive science from Pitzer College.