Prof David Uttal, Northwestern University, United States
Dr. David H. Uttal is a Professor of Psychology and Education at Northwestern University, where he explores the intersections of cognitive development, education, and spatial reasoning. With a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan, he has built a robust academic career that spans over three decades. His work bridges psychology, STEM education, and learning sciences, and he has contributed extensively to understanding how children and adults interpret spatial and symbolic information. Recognized globally for his research, Dr. Uttal has received numerous prestigious awards and led several large-scale, interdisciplinary projects supported by the National Science Foundation and other agencies. He has served in influential academic roles, including President of the Cognitive Development Society. Passionate about mentoring and educational innovation, he also leads federally funded training programs for graduate students. Dr. Uttal’s contributions continue to shape how educators and researchers think about learning, cognition, and the power of spatial thinking.
Publication Profile
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Education
Dr. David H. Uttal earned his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1989, where he laid the foundation for his influential career in spatial cognition and educational psychology. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed his undergraduate education at the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with High Honors. His academic training emphasized cognitive development, learning processes, and educational applications, themes that would define his research trajectory. The rigorous intellectual environments at both institutions provided Dr. Uttal with strong interdisciplinary exposure and methodological expertise. During his training, he developed a keen interest in how individuals learn from spatial representations, such as maps and diagrams—a focus that has continued to guide his work. His educational journey also included postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he expanded his knowledge in cognitive science and instructional design.
Experience
Dr. Uttal began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Virginia Tech from 1989 to 1991. He then undertook a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991–1993), further refining his focus on developmental and cognitive psychology. He joined Northwestern University in 1993 as an Assistant Professor and has since risen through the academic ranks to become a full Professor of Psychology and Education in 2009. During this tenure, he has also held the position of Associate Professor (1999–2009). In 1998, he was a Visiting Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, where he collaborated with international scholars on human learning and development. Over his decades-long career, Dr. Uttal has led multiple research projects, mentored students and junior faculty, and contributed significantly to national education policies and practices. His teaching excellence and leadership continue to influence both undergraduate and graduate education at Northwestern.
Awards and Honors
Dr. David H. Uttal’s distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades in recognition of his research, teaching, and leadership. Most recently, he received the 2023 Outstanding Symposium Award from the Cognitive Science Society in Sydney, and the 2022 IMBES Translation Award in Montreal. He was named an Honorary Adjunct Professor by the University of Canberra in 2018 and a Dan Linzer Fellow at Northwestern for excellence in transdisciplinary research. He served as President of the Cognitive Development Society (2015–2017) and received the George Miller Award for Outstanding Paper in General Psychology from the APA in 2014. A Fellow of both the Association for Psychological Science (2007) and the American Psychological Association (2004), Dr. Uttal is also a Charter Fellow of the Midwestern Psychological Association. His excellence in teaching has been recognized with Northwestern’s Distinguished Teacher Award and inclusion on the Faculty Honor Roll multiple times.
Research Focus
Dr. Uttal’s research centers on spatial cognition, STEM learning, and educational development, particularly how individuals learn and reason about spatial and symbolic information. He investigates how children and adults use maps, models, and diagrams to understand complex ideas—research that has important implications for improving STEM education. A major theme in his work is the development of spatial reasoning skills and their transfer to mathematics and science learning contexts. Dr. Uttal also explores neuroeducational approaches, using cognitive and neural data to inform curriculum design. He is a key contributor to interdisciplinary efforts linking psychology, neuroscience, education, and technology—leading numerous NSF- and IES-funded projects that examine learning in both formal (classroom) and informal (museum) environments. His work also includes using AI tools, interactive technologies, and story-based tinkering to enhance educational engagement. He aims to bridge basic research with real-world educational impact through collaborations with educators and policy makers.
Publication Top Notes
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🧠 Uttal, D. H., Meadow, N. G., Tipton, E., Hand, L. L., Alden, A. R., Warren, C., & Newcombe, N. S. (2013). The malleability of spatial skills: A meta-analysis of training studies. Psychological Bulletin, 139(2), 352–402.
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🧭 Uttal, D. H., & Cohen, C. A. (2012). Spatial thinking and STEM education: When, why, and how? Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 57, 147–181.
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🧸 Uttal, D. H., & DeLoache, J. S. (1997). The development of children’s understanding of spatial-symbolic relations. Child Development, 68(2), 342–358.
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🗺️ Uttal, D. H., & Wellman, H. M. (1989). Young children’s understanding of scale models: The role of spatial similarity and symbolic distance. Child Development, 60(1), 102–110.
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🧰 Korb, K. B., & Uttal, D. H. (2017). Learning from spatial models: Integrating perception and cognition in STEM education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 109(6), 871–887.
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🎮 Cohen, C. A., & Uttal, D. H. (2008). Map reading and spatial thinking development in children: The role of interactive media. Cognitive Development, 23(4), 499–512.
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🧪 Newcombe, N. S., & Uttal, D. H. (2006). Whither spatial cognition? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(5), 174–176.
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🧠 Uttal, D. H. (2000). Seeing the big picture: Map use and the development of spatial cognition. Developmental Science, 3(3), 247–264.
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🧑🏫 Uttal, D. H., Gentner, D., Liu, L., Lewis, M. M., & Schapiro, S. J. (2008). Development of analogical reasoning in children: Contributions of knowledge and learning. Cognitive Psychology, 57(4), 367–403.