Rate My Professor Robert Ryan

Dr. Robert S. Ryan serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. A cognitive psychologist, he earned his B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University in 1970, followed by an M.S. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. With 29 years of teaching experience at Kutztown University, Dr. Ryan instructs courses in cognition, research methods, statistics, experimental psychology, and general psychology. His career emphasizes bridging cognitive science principles with effective teaching practices, as demonstrated through his ongoing involvement in student research opportunities and lab group activities designed to prepare undergraduates for graduate school applications.

Dr. Ryan's research centers on applying key cognitive learning principles—such as retrieval practice, spacing, and testing—to improve student retention and learning outcomes. Notable projects include the "Successive Relearning" study and a 2016 Kutztown University Assessment Grant-funded investigation titled "Do Prompted Self-Explanations Improve Retention of Statistics Concepts?" He has presented on the Open Science Framework as a platform for enhancing research reproducibility at the university's Center for Engaged Teaching. Dr. Ryan has contributed to peer-reviewed research published in leading journals, including Science, Cognitive Technology, Computers in Human Behavior, Teaching of Psychology, and Applied Cognitive Psychology, with four undergraduate research assistants as co-authors on some works. Additionally, he co-authored the book "Launching a Successful Research Program at a Teaching University," offering guidance for faculty at teaching-oriented institutions. Through these efforts, Dr. Ryan has made significant contributions to both pedagogical innovation and the rigor of psychological science at Kutztown University.