SCHOLARSHIP
I hold a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Technology from the University of Florida College of Education’s School of Teaching and Learning.
My doctoral study focused on the experiences of instructional designers embedded in higher education.
Research interests include issues around the intersection of technology and pedagogy in higher education, specifically: instructional design; instructional designers; faculty development for online/blended teaching; and online/blended mentoring and advising. I utilize approaches that incorporate an explicit awareness and responsiveness to issues of inclusivity, criticality, diversity, gender, and power. I am interested in the experiences of individuals and generally orient myself from a qualitative, relativist ontology. I strive above all else for my work to be rigorously humanizing, transformative, and participatory.
I am driven by a thus-far insatiable curiosity and desire to learn and know more. I ask questions. I love to listen to others tell their stories, to reflect and discuss together, and ultimately to write about it later.
PUBLICATIONS & CURRENT PROJECTS
Wang, X., Kumar, S., Pollard, R., Ritzhaupt, A., Lu, J., & Martin, F. (2023). Centers for Teaching Excellence: Director Roles and Competencies. Manuscript in preparation.
Pollard, R. & Kumar, S. (2023). Pandemic Experiences of Instructional Designers in Higher Education. Manuscript in preparation.
Pollard, R. (2022). Past, Present, and Post(?)-Pandemic Future: Instructional Designers in Higher Education. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Florida]. https://ufl-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_UFL/175ga98/alma99384097893006597
Kumar, S., Dawson, K., Pollard, R., Jeter, G. (2022). Analysis of dissertations in an online doctoral program. TechTrends, 1-8. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11528-022-00739-4
Pollard, R. (2022). Facing Challenges and Finding Supports: Experiences of Instructional Designers in Higher Education During a Pandemic. Manuscript in preparation.
Pollard, R., and Kumar, S. (2022). Instructional Designers in Higher Education: Roles, Challenges, and Supports. Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 11(1). https://edtechbooks.org/jaid_11_1
Pollard, R. (2021, March 1). Support for the Supportive: Illuminating Instructional Design. CourseTune blog. https://coursetune.com/guest-post-support-for-the-supportive-illuminating-instructional-design/
Kumar, S., Pollard, R., Johnson, M., and Ağaçlı-Doğan, N. (2021). Online research group supervision: Structure, support and community. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 58(6), 647-658. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14703297.2021.1991430
Pollard, R., and Kumar, S. (2021). Mentoring graduate students online: Strategies and challenges. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 22(2), 267-284. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14703297.2021.1991430
Pollard, R. (2017). “Course Planning.” UF Instructor Guide, University of Florida. https://ufl.pb.unizin.org/instructorguide/chapter/course-planning/
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Curriculum & Instruction: Educational Technology
University of Florida, 2022
Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction: Educational Technology
University of Florida, 2015
Bachelor of Science, Psychology (Cum Laude)
University of Florida, 2004
Bachelor of Arts, English (Cum Laude)
University of Florida, 2004