Dr. Tashi W Gurung is a research scientist in Action Lab at EdPlus, Arizona State University. Action Lab is a learning laboratory inside EdPlus that provides key research findings to improve the ASU learning environment. With an emphasis on online learning, our predictive and evaluative analyses support student success and persistence. Action Lab works on transformational projects to increase the scale of learning through rigorous and multidisciplinary scholarly research committed to improving equity, inclusivity, and the quality of education for learners everywhere. With a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, Dr. Gurung has played a pivotal role in numerous research projects that shed light on the student experience and enhance the impact of existing Action Lab initiatives.
Dr. Gurung's research expertise is founded on a rich academic background in anthropology and public policy. His interdisciplinary training equips him with a diverse set of skills for conducting qualitative research, including surveys, participant observation, storytelling, interviews, focus groups, and content and narrative analysis. His positionality as an indigenous, first-generation, immigrant, and ethnic minority individual adds depth and perspective to his work.
Dr. Gurung's passion for fostering diversity and inclusion in higher education is deeply personal and is rooted in his own lived experiences. Having personally experienced, firsthand, the structural barriers that many students face, particularly those who have historically been underrepresented and underserved, Dr. Gurung firmly believes that excellence in any field, including education, can only be achieved when diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront. Dr. Gurung is committed to contributing to research projects that systematically address inclusive strategies for guiding students through the transition to higher education.