Dr. Lindsay Richardson

• 2015 B.A. Hons. Psychology with Distinction (specialization: Cognitive Psychology); Minors: Neuroscience and Mental Health and American Sign Language | 2017 M.A. Cognitive Psychology | 2023 Ph.D. Cognitive Psychology (Concentration: Advanced Quantitative Methods)

Dr. Richardson earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Psychology in 2023. Following graduation, he has been serving as an Adjunct Professor and Contract Instructor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University, contributing to teaching and academic scholarship in the field.

Brief description of what I do!

I currently serve as the Assistant Director, Digital Learning, with Teaching & Learning Services at Carleton University, as well as an Adjunct Professor and Contract Instructor with the Department of Psychology.

Pursuing Graduate Studies or other Education? 

I’m a lifelong learner! I’m currently learning Spanish and the Guitar.

What does your role(s) entail?

Within my role as Assistant Director, Digital Learning within Carleton’s Teaching and Learning Services, I oversee two broad portfolios: Learning Design & Technology and the Experiential Learning Hub. I’m involved in strategic approaches to teaching and learning and the operations associated with learning experience design, educational technology, experiential learning (including VR/XR), traditional and new media (including 360 production), and more! I get to coordinate, consult, and strategize with many different types of educators, like Teaching Assistants, Instructors, Chairs, Directors, Associate Deans, Deans, etc. My favourite day is where I’m running around the university, chatting with colleagues, and helping solve teaching challenges. I’m obsessed with scaling up sustainable teaching practices that help translate to an improved student experience and durable learning.

Within my role as an Adjunct Professor, I supervise Honours Students in our Psychology program. My research is currently focused on the impact of GenAI on Teaching and Learning. Within my role as a Contract Instructor, I teach mostly large-enrolment courses in first- and second-year courses, including Intro to Psych, Statistics, and Cog Psychology.

I also co-host a podcast called Agile Ed with an Educational Developer colleague who is also an Adjunct Professor in Carleton’s Neuroscience Department, where we discuss innovative solutions within education. Lately the discussions have been a lot about GenAI… of course! That said, we’re trying to move away from talking about AI into talking more about sustainable teaching practices that would withstand any disruption, including time travel.

What inspired your career path after graduation?

My love of how memory and learning works paired with informing teaching practices that best support durable learning in post-secondary environments.

How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?

My journey throughout the psychology program was not merely about learning psychology. Yes, I know who BF Skinner is. It was more about learning how to learn, identifying what success means to me, and knowing how to achieve my goals. I also learned how and when to effect change. I apply a lot of what I learned throughout different psychology courses to my daily life, including my job, and oftentimes without realizing I’m doing so. The courses I took and the relationships I made helped to shape who I am and how I approach life.

What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?

Interpersonal skills (e.g., communication, group work, collaboration); Adaptability; Metacognition; Project Management Skills; Articulation of Skills and how they transfer.

Do you have a favourite memory from your program at Carleton?

Yes! Brenda Baird’s PSYC1001 course got me hooked on Psychology and aspiring to teach Psychology at the university level. Kim Hellemans impacted me greatly and I took any course I could with her. My experience in PSYC 3700 was transformative and where I truly fell in love with research. I also owe a lot to the valuable mentorship I received from Dr. Guy Lacroix throughout my career.

What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?

Being invited as a Keynote Speaker on the Impact of GenAI in Education at a different institution.