Robert L. Bangert-Drowns

Robert L. Bangert-Drowns served sequentially on the faculties of three University at Albany departments over 39 years—Program Development and Evaluation, Educational Theory and Practice, and Educational and Counseling Psychology. From 2008 to 2018, he led the School of Education as Dean following a five-year stint as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  He earned a combined PhD in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1986 and joined the University at Albany faculty in 1987.

Dr. Bangert-Drowns is widely cited for pioneering work in meta-analytic methodology applied to critical issues in instruction and learning, including the educational effects of instructional feedback, writing-to-learn, mastery learning strategies, computer-based instruction, the use of word-processors, test repetition and frequency, and aptitude test preparation programs, as well as the success of drug abuse education and DUI treatment on drug use and DUI recidivism. Most recently he studied the interactions among motivation, emotion, and cognition in learning engagement as meaning-making.  His work has appeared in premiere journals, such as, Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Educational Psychology, Review of Educational Research, American Educational Research Journal, Educational Technology Theory and Practice, and Addiction. 

Professor Bangert-Drowns taught courses in general educational psychology, instructional design, programming educational software, instructional theory, meta-analysis, scholarly writing, and learning engagement. From 1988 through 2019, Dr. Bangert-Drowns hosted a weekly forum, the Albany Consortium for Research in Instructional Design and Theory, where faculty and graduate students shared and discussed their educational research in a supportive, constructive, and professional environment. Since retirement in 2023, Dr. Bangert-Drowns retained the title of dean emeritus.