Dania Wright

My research explores how people and organizations internalize new ideas and translate them into practical, lasting realities. As a Visiting Scholar at Arizona State University, my current research focuses on interdisciplinary informal science education, with a focus on museum education outreach. I am currently the Education Director at the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

I earned my PhD in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology from Arizona State University in 2024. My dissertation examined how federal research funding mechanisms. particularly the NSF Merit Review criteria, shape institutional and researcher priorities, and earned a University Graduate Fellowship Award for outstanding graduate research at the departmental level. I also held a postdoctoral position funded by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focused on integrating environmental and energy justice (EEJ) into engineering practice. My additional research work and interests have included engineering professional development, science policy, and equitable energy transitions. 

Before academia, I worked extensively in science communication and informal education. As a Science Producer for Bill Nye Saves the World, I translated complex scientific concepts into engaging, hands-on experiments. At the Arizona Science Center, I served as a Walton Sustainability in Science and Technology Museums Fellow, developing interactive public science programming.

I am committed to advancing interdisciplinary, equity-driven approaches to science and engineering education, and to helping others understand, value, and apply complex concepts in ways that drive meaningful change.