Christina Smiraglia
Christina's research and teaching explore object-based and art-based learning approaches across the lifespan, with a particular focus on informal learning experiences. Her prior roles as an educator in more than a dozen museums—including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, National Air and Space Museum, J. Paul Getty Museum, and the National Zoo—ground her work in practice.
PZ Work
Christina is a senior researcher currently working on the Reimagining Early Childhood Education project, which examines emerging opportunities and challenges facing the field, with her particular focus on early childhood in informal learning settings. Previously, she worked with The Open Canopy (formerly Out of Eden Learn), Higher Education in the 21st Century, Agency by Design, and the Learning Innovations Laboratory (LILA). She also led Arts Festival Impacts, a project investigating the impacts of a city arts learning festival, and managed Art Works at Work, a project exploring the impact of art in the workplace.
Beyond Project Zero
In addition to her research at PZ, Christina is an instructor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and in Harvard's Museum Studies graduate program. She also serves on the volunteer board of directors for Massachusetts Odyssey of the Mind, a non-profit creative problem-solving competition for students.
Education
Christina received her doctorate in Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and also holds an Ed.M. in Teaching and Learning from Harvard, a M.A. in Museum Studies from The George Washington University, and B.A.s in Studio Art and Art Conservation from the University of Delaware.
Fun Facts
Christina is the mom to a curious toddler who may be a bit young for the "See, Think, Wonder" thinking routine, but who engages with it at home anyway. She loves gardening and sharing her enjoyment of plants with her little one.
Where to Find Christina
Christina works from home most of the time, when she isn't traveling for fieldwork. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her Museum Studies course offerings in the Harvard DCE course catalog.
Christina's Projects and Publications
Christina's PZ Pick
The Open Canopy's Dialogue Toolkit was developed to support middle- and high-school students in thoughtful online exchanges, but Christina uses it in person and with graduate students, too!