你好/Hello! I am Chenchen Lu, a Ph.D. candidate in Social Studies Education at Purdue University. Research-wise, I am broadly interested in three interrelated areas: 1) how cultural and psychological dynamics shape teacher decision-making in social studies instruction, 2) teacher identity development in the context of civic and social education, and 3) the use of quantitative methods to examine equity and inclusion in educational practice and policy. Specifically, my research explores how teachers’ professional identities—including their instructional beliefs, teaching efficacy, and sense of agency—relate to pedagogical decisions, especially within inquiry-based and justice-oriented learning environments. I also examine how cultural dynamics—whether between teachers and students, between the curriculum and local contexts, or between teachers’ beliefs and institutional expectations—affect instructional responses and classroom discourse. Methodologically, I apply critically-informed quantitative techniques, such as hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) and structural equation modeling (SEM), to investigate patterns of instructional cognition and systemic inequity in civic education. My work seeks to bridge theoretical frameworks in teacher learning with rigorous, design-based and causal analytic methods. Questions I aim to further explore include: 

• In what ways do cultural dynamics shape teachers’ pedagogical choices and students’ classroom experiences? 
• How can social studies instruction better incorporate students’ cultural identities while fostering shared civic values? 
• What roles can emerging technologies—such as generative AI—play in supporting more responsive, inclusive social studies teaching? 

Beyond my research, I am passionate about teaching, mentorship, and fostering inclusive classroom discussions. I strive to bridge theory with practice, ensuring that social studies education is both equitable and impactful. Please visit my other pages to learn more about my research (including current projects), teaching, and service work!