About Me

Skyler Louise Gin

I study how identity and connectedness shape motivation, persistence, and equity outcomes in STEM and education more broadly.

I have always had a big heart for children and a deep curiosity about how they see the world. I grew up in San Francisco, where cultural diversity and creative learning were part of everyday life. From conversations about history with locals in coffee shops to homeschooling days spent painting the Golden Gate Bridge, I learned that learning happens everywhere. Those early experiences taught me to see development as more than something that happens in classrooms. It is something that unfolds in everyday interactions and environments that shape who we become.

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After moving to San Ramon, I discovered psychology and became fascinated by how children’s social worlds and identities influence what and how they learn. That interest has guided my academic path ever since. Today, I am a Ph.D. student in Psychology at Brown University, where my research bridges cognitive developmental and social psychology to understand how identity, representation, and connection shape learning and motivation across development. I am especially interested in designing and evaluating interventions that foster belonging and equity in educational spaces, with a particular focus on how role models and relationships influence engagement and persistence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math).

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My goal as a researcher is to build a more inclusive understanding of human development that recognizes the importance of context, identity, and connection in how people learn and grow. This approach informs both my empirical work, my mentorship of students, and my thinking about the future of academia.

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Outside of research, I teach Pilates and group fitness classes, aiming to empower clients to feel strong, confident, and capable both in and out of the studio. I also hold a WSET Level 2 certification in wine and am currently training toward Level 3, continuing my love of exploring culture, connection, and community in new ways.

Research Interests: Cognitive Development, Social Psychology, Role Model Theory, Connectedness, Identity Development, Learning and Motivation, Belonging and Representation, Educational and STEM Equity, Developmental and Social Psychology, Intervention Design and Evaluation