Gale Sinatra named Distinguished Professor at USC

Today, USC Rossier School of Education celebrated faculty member Gale Sinatra as she was appointed University Professor at USC. Distinguished Professors are a select group of faculty members across USC who are leaders in their respective research fields.

Gale Sinatra is a Professor of Education and Psychology at USC Rossier School of Education and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She holds the Stephen H. Crocker Chair and is the Associate Dean for Research with USC Rossier.

Professor Sinatra’s work focuses on educational psychology, including the cognitive, motivational and emotional processes that lead to attitude change, conceptual change and successful learning in STEM disciplines, particularly in climate science. Her research has awarded her 14 grants, including four from the National Science Foundation. She was elected as a member of the National Academy of Education in 2022. In addition to serving as Associate Dean for Research at USC Rossier, she is taking on a new role with the new USC Center for Generative AI and Society.

Professor Sinatra has published around 90 peer-reviewed articles, 24 book chapters, four books via authorship and editorship, and edited numerous special journal issues. She has taught 19 courses on learning and cognition, and her research lab has supported at least six PhD students who have gone on to successful careers as professors at major universities. She is an American Educational Research Association and American Psychological Association Fellow, and recently served as the President of the American Psychological Association Division 15.

“The entire USC Rossier community is proud of Gale Sinatra for achieving this well-deserved honor,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “Gale has distinguished herself as a leading researcher in her field and is sought after for advice and knowledge by institutions throughout the world. I look forward to seeing the incredible work Gale will continue to do as a Distinguished Professor.”

“I am deeply honored to be named a Distinguished Professor and to join such a prestigious group of USC faculty. I want to thank all of my collaborators, particularly my current and former students, who have contributed so much to my career over the years,” said Sinatra.