From Dissertation to Design: How Dr. Julia Phelan Turned Learning Science into Impact

What does it mean to truly learn something—and how do we design education that actually works?

This week on ConnectED, I’m joined by Dr. Julia Phelan, learning engineer, researcher, consultant, and co-founder of Two Eleven. From her early days as a psychology major to earning her PhD at UCLA while raising two kids, Julia has spent over two decades helping individuals and organizations rethink how people learn.

We talk:

• The class that shifted her entire academic trajectory

• Writing a dissertation with a baby in a swing beside her

• What most people get wrong about effective learning

• How she transitioned from academia to applied work

• The hidden science behind onboarding, assessment, and instructional design

Julia brings wisdom, humor, and deep insight into what it means to build truly impactful learning experiences—no matter the context.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Learning Gap and The Teaching Gap by James Stigler
• How People Learn by Bransford, Brown & Cocking
• Research on retrieval practice by Elizabeth and Robert Bjork
• Item Response Theory (IRT) and Adaptive Learning Platforms

Connect with Dr. Julia Phelan:

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