Nicole Bowers

Dr. Nicole Bowers is an Instructor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. With a PhD in Learning, Literacies, and Technologies from ASU and a background in molecular biology and chemistry, Dr. Bowers brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work. Her research focuses on science education, teacher adaptive expertise, and critical qualitative research methodologies. Dr. Bowers is particularly passionate about employing critical theory to examine issues of equity, social justice, and diversity in education.

As a qualitative researcher, Dr. Bowers specializes in innovative approaches to inquiry, including arts-based methodologies and post-qualitative frameworks. Her work often challenges traditional research paradigms, exploring how critical qualitative methods can illuminate complex educational phenomena and contribute to transformative practices. Dr. Bowers currently leads courses in the EdD in Leadership and Innovation program, including Qualitative Methods in Action Research and Dynamic Contexts in Education, where she guides students in research design and applying critical lenses to educational research and practice.

Dr. Bowers has published in peer-reviewed journals such as Science Education and the Journal of Science Teacher Education, often integrating critical perspectives into her work on science education and teacher development. She is committed to mentoring doctoral students, encouraging them to find their own academic voice and design innovations in practice to improve their local contexts. Through her teaching, research, and service, Dr. Bowers continues to advocate for more inclusive, equitable, and critically informed approaches to education and educational research.