Faculty and Staff Profile

Robert O'Hara

Educational Background

Ph.D Learning Sciences
Clemson University 2023

M.S.Ed Higher Education Administration
University of Dayton 2013

BA History and Theater
Coker College 2010

Courses Taught

EDF 3340 - Child Growth and Development
EDF 9270 - Quantitative Research Designs & Statistics for Educational Contexts
PSYC 3090 - Introductory Experimental Psychology
PSYC 3101 - Advanced Experimental Psychology Laboratory
PSYC 3300 - Motivation

Profile

Dr. O’Hara holds a PhD in Learning Sciences from Clemson University. His research focuses on the classroom environments influence on undergraduate students’ motivation, sense of belonging, and academic confidence. Using Relational Developmental Systems theories, he explores the reciprocal interactions between students and classroom environments to promote learning and development. Prior to his position as a Lecturer in Psychology, Robert served the Department of Education & Human Development in the College of Education as a graduate assistant in the Quantitative Clinic and teaching assistant for doctoral-level statistics courses. Additionally, Robert has experience as a graduate researcher in both Automotive and Civil Engineering assisting faculty with educational research on grant-funded projects. For this work, as well as his own research, Robert was awarded the College of Education’s Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award in 2021 and 2023. As a graduate student, he held several leadership positions across campus including two terms as President of Clemson’s Graduate Student Government. Before coming to Clemson in 2018, Dr. O’Hara worked as a student-affairs professional in housing and residence life at two institutions. Dr. O’Hara is looking forward to continuing his time at Clemson as a faculty member and is excited to be teaching statistics and research methods to undergraduate students.

Research Interests

The impact of classroom environments on undergraduate students' motivation, sense of belonging, and academic confidence.

Research Publications

Herro, D., Frady, K., & O'Hara, R. (2023). Exploring technical college student's collaborative problem solving and teamwork skills in multi-educational level engineering design teams. European Journal of Engineering Education, 48(3), 1291-1311. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2023.2286315

O'Hara, R. M. (2022). STEM(ing) the tide: A critical race theory analysis in STEM education. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 35(3), 986-998. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720537.2020.1842825

O'Hara, R., Benson, L., Bolding, C. J., & Ogle, J. (2021, June). Relationship between goal orientation, agency, and motivation in undergraduate civil engineering students. Paper presented to 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference. https://peer.asee.org/37655

Frady, K. Brown, C., High, K. A., Hughes, C., O'Hara, R., & Huang, S. (2021, June). Developing two-year college student engineering technology career profiles. Paper presented to 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference. https://peer.asee.org/36945

Herro, D., McNeese, N., O'Hara, R., Frady, K., & Switzer, D. (2021). Exploring graduate students' collaborative problem-solving in engineering design tasks. Journal of Engineering Design, 32(9), 496-515. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544828.2021.1922616

O'Hara, R. M., Bolding, C. W., Ogle, J. H., & Benson, L. (2020). To be(long), or not to be(long): Factors predicting students' sense of belonging in engineering. Paper presented to 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference. https://peer.asee.org/34202

Blackmon, Z. R., O'Hara, R. M., & Viars, J. W. (2020). Microaggressions, sense of belonging, and sexual identity within residence halls. Journal of College and University Student Housing, 46(3), 46-59.

Honors and Awards

2023 Cultivating Opportunities for Research in Education Graduate Student Research Grant
2023 Clemson University iGRADS Competition, finalist, Clemson University
2023 College of Education iGRADS Competition, 2nd Place, Clemson University
2023 Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award, College of Education, Clemson University
2022 Interdisciplinary Research Graduate Fellowship, Clemson University
2021 Best Division Paper, Two-Year/Community College Division, American Society of Engineering Edu