Design-Based Research Internship Spring 2026

/Duties

Ever wondered why some assignments just click while others fall flat? Curious what actually goes into building a workshop, a guide, or a tool that helps faculty teach more effectively? If you’re interested in learning sciences, instructional design, educational research, curriculum development, or the study of teaching and learning in higher education, this internship is for you.

The Design-Based Research (DBR) Intern will work with the Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning to conceptualize, design, implement, iterate on, and evaluate resources and programming related to the instructional design of courses taught at SUNY Cortland.

You’ll receive training in design-based research (DBR) methodology, iterative design processes, and formative and summative evaluation of educational resources. You’ll help the CTL move from identifying instructional design needs to prototyping, testing, and refining solutions grounded in both research and practice. If you’re interested in scholarly writing, you’ll also have the option to contribute to a manuscript or publication documenting the design process.

Responsibilities may include:

• Participate in training related to design-based research methodology, instructional design, and evaluation of educational resources and programming.

• Work with the Associate Director to identify instructional design needs among SUNY Cortland faculty through existing data, consultations, or targeted inquiry.

• Conceptualize and design resources or programming (e.g., workshops, guides, templates, tools) responsive to identified faculty needs.

• Implement designed resources or programming in collaboration with CTL staff, and gather data on their use and impact.

• Iterate on designs based on feedback and evaluation data, applying DBR cycles of design, implementation, analysis, and redesign.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of designed resources or programming using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods.

• Optionally, contribute to writing focused on the design process, findings, or outcomes for potential publication or presentation.

• Collaborate with other CTL interns to align DBR projects with broader CTL communication and programming efforts.

  By the end of the internship, you’ll be able to apply design-based research methodology to real instructional design problems, conceptualize and prototype educational resources responsive to faculty needs, evaluate the effectiveness and usability of designed interventions, and iterate on designs using evidence-based revision. If you pursue the writing option, you’ll also be able to document and communicate a design process in scholarly form.

Days/Hours Needed

[Days/hours to be finalized — flexible scheduling expected, approx. 8–10 hrs/week]

Campus Location/Bldg.

Memorial Library Room 117B

Required Qualifications

Memorial Library Room 117B

Must be SUNY Cortland Student
Basic computer/writing proficiency
Interest in learning sciences, instructional design, educational research, curriculum development, or teaching and learning in higher education This is an internship, so you must be enrolled for 3 hours and collaborate with a faculty member to receive internship credit.

Preferred Qualifications

Interest in design-based research, learning sciences, or educational program evaluation
Familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
Strong writing and communication skills
Comfort with iterative, feedback-driven design work
Interest in contributing to scholarly writing (optional)

Physical Demands

Must be able to work at a computer

Special Conditions for Eligibility

NA

Contact Name(s) & Email(s)

Morgan Vickery, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
[email protected]

Salary Grade

A-$16.00/hr.

Salary