2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Transformation through Research: Undergraduate Research Experiences and Learning Pathways in Electrical Engineering

Presented at Electrical and Computer Engineering Division (ECE) Technical Session 18

In this full research paper, we apply Transformative Learning Theory to examine how undergraduate electrical engineering researchers describe learning that either reshapes how they understand engineering practice or deepens skills within stable expectations. Undergraduate research experiences are widely valued, but existing studies often rely on self-reports and provide limited theoretical explanations for why similar research opportunities produce different outcomes. We report findings from two semi-structured interviews that illustrate two legitimate pathways, transformative learning and informative learning, and we discuss implications for equitable undergraduate research integration within an R1 electrical and computer engineering department engaged in an NSF Revolutionizing Engineering Departments initiative.

Authors

Vinh-Khanh Mai University of South Florida
Dr. Dhinesh Radhakrishnan http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6959-196X Purdue University – West Lafayette (College of Engineering) [biography]

Dr. Dhinesh Radhakrishnan is a Research Scientist at Purdue University’s School of Engineering Education. His research focuses on participatory and community-driven approaches to engineering education, particularly in displacement and marginalized contexts. He has led research and educational initiatives in Kenya, Uganda, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and the U.S., co-developing the Localized Engineering in Displacement (LED) program. His doctoral dissertation explored how a Community of Practice (CoP) approach can engage informal educators in Kenya to co-design and teach community-centered engineering education. Currently, he co-leads a reciprocal innovation initiative that bridges CoPs across diverse countries and contexts. His work examines how local engineering knowledge is recognized, revitalized, and integrated into technical education and workforce development, fostering more inclusive and culturally responsive learning models.
Dr. Chris S Ferekides University of South Florida [biography]

Dr. Chris Ferekides has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He is a Professor and Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of South Florida. His research focuses on electronic materials for photovoltaics and other opto-electronic applications, with emphasis on chalcogenide compounds and devices for thin-film solar cells.

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