PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Michelene Chi

Also known as Micki Chi, Michelene T. H. Chi

Michelene (Micki) Chi is a learning scientist at Arizona State University, where she joins the faculty in 2008. A 2014 paper sets out her ICAP framework for active learning, and the Cognitive Science Society gives her the 2019 Rumelhart Prize. Born in Thailand, she earns a PhD from Carnegie-Mellon University, then holds research and faculty posts at the University of Pittsburgh. She also wins the 2020 McGraw Prize in Learning Science Research and receives the 2023 Yidan Prize for Education Research. As of October 2026, she directs the Learning and Cognition Lab at Arizona State University.

Works
121
Citations
32,664
h-index
55

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 14 October 2026.

Photo of Michelene Chi

Timeline

  1. By 2008

    Pittsburgh research before ASU

    Born in Thailand, she immigrates to the United States from Indonesia with her parents and becomes a U.S. citizen at 16. She earns a PhD from Carnegie-Mellon University, then holds research and faculty posts at the University of Pittsburgh before she joins Arizona State University in 2008.

  2. By 2014

    Self-explanation and the ICAP framework

    Her research develops an understanding of self-explanation as a key way to learn. In 2014 she co-writes a paper that sets out the ICAP framework for active learning.

  3. 2010–2015

    Academy election and Thorndike Award

    She is elected to the National Academy of Education in 2010. The American Psychological Association gives her its E.L. Thorndike Career Achievement Award in 2015.

  4. 2019

    The Rumelhart Prize in cognitive science

    She receives the 2019 David E. Rumelhart Prize from the Cognitive Science Society, honoring a significant contribution to theoretical foundations of human cognition.

  5. 2020

    A McGraw Prize in learning science

    She wins the 2020 McGraw Prize in Learning Science Research. Estela Bensimon and Joseph Krajcik are co-winners with her.

  6. 2023–2026

    The Yidan Prize for education research

    She receives the 2023 Yidan Prize for Education Research, an international honor recognizing her innovative approaches. Her project funds support the ICAP project from January 2024 to December 2026.

  7. As of October 2026

    Directing the Learning and Cognition Lab

    She directs the Learning and Cognition Lab at Arizona State University. ASU names her one of four Regents Professors for the 2018–19 school year.

Sources and credits

Photo: education.asu.edu; Learning and Cognition Lab | Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation; creator not stated. License: Not stated by source. Source: education.asu.edu. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.

  1. Michelene T. H. Chi, 2020 Prize Winner | McGraw Prize in Education mcgrawprize.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Meet the Team | ICAP Center for Teaching and Learning icap.education.asu.edu. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Michelene Chi - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Michelene Chi awarded the 2020 McGraw Prize in Learning Science Research | Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation education.asu.edu. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Using the ICAP framework to improve STEMM teaching yidanprize.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. ASU professor straddles 2 disciplines with cognition and learning science research | Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation education.asu.edu. Checked 14 October 2026.