Each degree granting program of IU Graduate School Indianapolis nominates one truly outstanding Ph.D. dissertation for consideration by a committee of faculty reviewers for The IU Indianapolis Distinguished Ph.D. Dissertation Award. The Awards Committee of the Graduate Faculty Council considers such criteria as originality, documentation, significance, accuracy, organization, and style. Recipients receive $5,000 each and are eligible for nomination to national competitions, including the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Fields of competition follow the CGS/ProQuest cycle; for 2026, the fields are Social Sciences and Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering.
Dr. Jerelle R. Austin Sr.
Dr. Jerelle R. Austin Sr. earned his Ph.D. from the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Indianapolis, where he was supported by the IU President’s Graduate Diversity Fellowship. A music producer, educator, and researcher, Austin brings years of experience in audio engineering and arts-based education to his work examining how creative learning can expand access to STEM opportunities for Black youth.
His dissertation, Assessing the Impact of a Music Production Program on African American Students’ Motivation to Pursue Science and Technology Disciplines, examined how a culturally responsive, music production–based approach could influence students’ motivation toward science and technology. The study was grounded in the idea that connecting STEM learning with students’ cultural identities, creative interests, and lived experiences may create more meaningful and engaging learning experiences.
To investigate this, Austin designed and led a six-week music production curriculum at two Indianapolis community sites: a school-based STEM club serving students in grades 5–8 and a community youth program serving students in grades 2–8. Using a mixed-methods design, he examined changes in students’ motivation quantitatively while also gathering qualitative accounts of their experiences throughout the program. The findings showed statistically significant increases in intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and self-determination, with no statistically significant differences across site or grade level. Students’ qualitative responses further highlighted the importance of cultural connection, musical interests, collaboration, agency, and a sense of belonging in their experiences of the program.
This work contributes to a growing body of research examining how culturally responsive and arts-integrated approaches can support students’ engagement with STEM. Austin continues this work through STEM-Beats Academy, a STEAM-focused organization that uses music production and coding to engage young people in STEM learning. Through both his research and community programming, he continues to develop creative, culturally grounded approaches to STEM education that connect students’ interests and identities with opportunities to learn, create, and pursue new areas of knowledge.
Congratulations to our IU Indianapolis Distiguished PhD Dissertation Award Winner!