Cem Karacal

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Cem Karacal is an engineering educator whose research sits at the intersection of robotics, multidisciplinary pedagogy, and hands-on learning in undergraduate engineering programs. His most influential work centers on developing innovative curricula that use robotics as a unifying platform to teach concepts spanning electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science — disciplines that increasingly demand collaborative, systems-level thinking from graduates. Karacal's most cited contribution, "A Multidisciplinary Model For Using Robotics In Engineering Education" (2020, 60 citations), demonstrates how the declining cost of robotics technology has opened new possibilities for accessible, experiential instruction across engineering disciplines. This work builds on his earlier foundational efforts, including his widely referenced 2005 research on multidisciplinary teamwork in robotics courses (collectively accumulating over 36 citations), which emphasized preparing students for the realities of integrated, team-driven engineering projects. His 2004 paper on interdisciplinary robotics using the Handy Board further reflects his long-standing commitment to hands-on learning as a pedagogical cornerstone. Spanning nearly two decades of scholarship, Karacal's body of work has meaningfully shaped how engineering programs approach interdisciplinary education, offering practical, replicable models that bridge theory and real-world collaborative practice.