Rachel Kajfez
Papers
2
Total Citations
12
H-Index
2
About
Rachel Kajfez is a prominent engineering education researcher whose work centers on improving teaching and learning in first-year engineering programs, with a particular focus on team dynamics, professional development, and the role of teaching assistants. Her research has made significant contributions to understanding how to foster effective collaboration and leadership among engineering students. Kajfez’s most-cited paper, “Teaching Assistant Professional Development Through Design: Why They Participate and How They Benefit” (2015, 7 citations), explores the motivations and outcomes of TA training, providing critical insights for designing impactful professional development programs. Her subsequent work, “Identifying Student Team Leaders and Social Loafers in a First-Year Engineering Cornerstone Robotics Design Project” (2019, 5 citations), addresses the practical challenge of predicting team roles using survey data, offering a data-driven approach to improve project-based learning. While her citation counts reflect a growing field, Kajfez’s influence is evident in her focus on actionable strategies for educators, such as using team formation surveys to identify potential leaders and loafers. Her research is particularly valuable for instructors and administrators seeking to enhance student engagement and teamwork in foundational engineering courses, making her a key voice in shaping modern engineering pedagogy.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2