As a learning scientist and engineering education researcher whose work has long focused on design, maker spaces, and creativity, my research has had numerous connections to the arts.
Art in Supporting Critical Consciousness, Bolstering Commitment, and Enhancing Visions of Radical Hope
Davis, S.D., Svihla, V., Kellam, N., Ferris, K., Lee, E.E., Getz, K., & Rojas Palacio, C. (6/2025). Analyzing creative works within a community of transformation. Proceedings of the ISLS Annual Meeting. 1729-1733. https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11352
Kellam, N. N., Davis, S. C., Ferris, K., Jennings, M., Getz, K., Lee, E. E., & Svihla, V. (2024). Designing a community of transformation for justice: A design case capturing the beginnings. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--46807
Creativity and Learning
Wilson-Fetrow, M., Svihla, V., & Hsi, S. (6/2023). Supporting framing agency with the Wrong Theory Protocol in a youth radio camp. Proceedings of the ISLS Annual Meeting. https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/9827
Svihla, V. & Kachelmeier, L., (9/2020). The Wrong Theory Protocol: A design thinking tool to enhance creative ideation. Proceedings of the International Conference on Design Creativity, https://doi.org/10.35199/ICDC.2020.28
Svihla, V. & Kachelmeier, L., (6/2020). The Wrong Theory Protocol: A pre-ideation technique to enhance creativity and empathy. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference and Exhibition. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--35383
Material Agency and Learning Wilson-Fetrow, M., Hsi, S., & Svihla, V. (2024). Oh, I know what to build: Design framing in conversation with materials. Proceedings of the ISLS Annual Meeting, 1742-1745. https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2024.105100
Wilson-Fetrow, M., Svihla, V., & Hsi, S. (7/2023). Material agency with summer STEM youth designing with Micro:bits. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference and Exhibition. https://peer.asee.org/42945
Wilson-Fetrow, M., Svihla, V., Tsiongas, M., Ricca Lucci, N., Barela, J., Elia, E., Rotty A., & Metz, J. (6/2023). Textile technology: Learning with and from materials. Proceedings of the ISLS Annual Meeting. https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/10178
Svihla, V., Tucker, M., & Hynson, T., (10/2020). What gaze data reveal about material agency: Resilient makers, materials and ideas. Proceedings of FabLearn. https://doi.org/10.1145/3386201.3386220
Svihla, V. (10/2015). Making for engagement, development and learning. Proceedings of FabLearn 2015.
Art Practice
Svihla, V. (11/2023). This vase won’t hold water anymore. In (M. Ladd, Ed.) The Long COVID reader. Long Hauler Publishing. [creative nonfiction] https://www.maryladd.com/long-covid-anthology