After finishing his Master’s degree, Lukas spent the summer with the Asia Foundation designing a smart phone app that provides high quality early grade reading content for Skaw Karen children in Northern Thailand who lack books at home in their mother tongue, but have access to smart phones. 

Lukas also assisted in the design of browser-based translation tool that simplifies and facilitates the complex task of translating existing open access reading materials into local languages by utilizing teachers and community members. Both the reading app and translation tool are meant to complement work by local NGOs to promote household reading. 

While working on his doctoral degree at UMass, he was hired as a consultant by the Australian Council for Educational Research.  He joined a research team working with All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development, a collaborative effort of USAID, Australian Aid, and World Vision to leverage technology and science to improve early grade literacy skills. Their final report was intended to assist the sponsoring agencies in conceptualizing next steps for their partnership and avenues for the three organizations to continue working together.

Beginning in 2017, Lukas joined EDC in Boston as a Research Associate.  At EDC, Lukas leads a study with Cape Cod Community College that seeks to deepen understanding of effective wraparound support for students from low-income households pursuing STEM-related careers. In addition, he leads the implementation evaluation for a study on the impact of work-based learning on students’ interest and learning in computer science. He is also advancing a national study on identifying features of teacher preparation programs that influence the persistence of science and math teachers in teaching in low-resourced schools.

As part of his work with EDC, Lukas is a co-author of several works on the impact of science fairs, family involvement in science fairs, and a state-federal STEM summit. [3-23]

Email: lukaswinfield@gmail.com