February 23, 2026
Home
Event Recap
Fall Symposium 2025 – Otaku Communities as Platforms for Neurodiversity Inclusive Learning
Last November, we brought together international media scholars and researchers for the symposium which explored how fan cultures – long stigmatized in mainstream society – are being reimagined as vital learning spaces for neurodivergent youth to find refuge, develop craft, and build community.
Our research supports healthy development, joyful learning, and thriving communities in a networked and digital world.
We are a research institute at the University of California, Irvine that brings together researchers across social, cultural, and technical fields. Our current work is focused on four areas: Digital Wellbeing, Research-Practice Partnerships, Neurodiversity and Learning, and Growing Up with AI.
News and Stories
July 1, 2025
Connected Learning Alliance
August 4, 2025
UC Irvine News
July 30, 2025
Connected Learning Alliance
April 4, 2025
Mashable
April 1, 2025
Computing Research Association
Projects
Connected Arts Learning
The Connected Arts Learning project presents a framework for 21st century arts learning with a focus on connecting youths’ interest-driven art making to opportunities through supportive relationships. This project offers recommendations for the design and evaluation of connected arts learning. Read the Connected Arts Learning report.
Connected Learning Summit
With a unique focus on cross-sector connections and progressive and catalytic innovation, the Connected Learning Summit brings together leading researchers, educators, and developers. Our mission is to fuel a growing movement of innovators harnessing the power of emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning. Learn More.
Making Connections to Support STEM Transitions
The Making Connections project investigates how to build connections and transitions between out-of-school programs to support coordinated and culturally sustaining STEM ecosystems for underrepresented youth. Learn More.
Affiliated Labs
STEM Learning Lab
The STEM Learning Lab promotes rich learning opportunities in the places children and families spend time. Lab initiatives span classrooms, school yards, and community contexts (e.g., parks, bus-stops, playgrounds, grocery stores) to foster playful and interactive learning opportunities for children and families.
Design and Partnership Lab
The Daplab is a collective of learning scientists and co-designers who partner with community members and organizations. Our work is backed both by academic and practical knowledge and directed towards the most pressing needs of community partners
Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN)
OCEAN supports partnerships between researchers at the UCI School of Education and schools, organizations, and educators. Our goal is to create initiatives and partnerships that positively impact our local communities.
Digital Learning Lab
The Digital Learning Lab designs, develops, and studies digital and AI tools and curricula to promote language and literacy development and STEM learning in preK-12, higher education, and informal learning environments, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse learners.
Connecting the EdTech Research EcoSystem (CERES)
CERES is aimed at reducing growing inequalities in children’s learning and development and increasing access to education for children with disabilities.
Games Learning Society
The Games+Learning+Society (GLS) center is the premier center for transdisciplinary research and innovation in games and interactive media for learning, behavioral and social change.
Made with Play
Made with Play supports the research of online, play-based environments for youth and centers youth voice, equity, and inclusion in the creation of healthy, caring, kid-powered communities.
Creativity Labs
The Creativity Labs focuses on constructionist and design-based learning, and computational tools that support learning by leveraging youths’ interests in digital culture, design, and making.